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Gone are the days of carrying round huge text and reference books during study time or learning on the job. This was never practical, particularly in a construction environment, books aren't water or mud proof! Now you can even ditch the clipboard and have everything you need to organise your life on your pocket sized smartphone (waterproof case optional). Apps aren't just about crushing candy and angry birds, they can be really useful in the work environment too.

The SMSTS qualification is crucial to the safety of the working environment in a number of industries. Safety has to be considered at every level and having this qualification will make that possible.

Specially designed for Site Managers

If a construction worker has ambitions to become a site manager they will be giving themselves a better opportunity of succeeding by gaining a Site Manager Safety Training Scheme certificate. The SMSTS was devised to enhance health and safety but also to point site managers and potential site managers in the correct direction making it possible for them to realise their ambitions. The aim of the scheme is for participants to gain a good working knowledge of awareness and understanding of their legal responsibilities. It is also designed to improve the knowledge surrounding moral and social responsibilities regarding the health, safety and welfare on construction sites.

Proves Health and Safety Competency

The qualification is designed for site managers, assistant managers and site foremen who will be involved in organising, monitoring, planning, controlling and administering groups of staff and entire workforces. The scheme covers all relevant legislation including working in a safe environment while on a construction site. Objectives include a need for risk assessment within the workplace as well as a need to implement the necessary controls along with adequate communication to allow a positive health and safety culture amongst the workforce. At the end of the training, participants will be competent  in all health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation which affects them during their normal working duties.

Provides Career Benefits

Not only is the SMSTS a fundamental requirement for many job applications, it also provides an excellent foundation for progression onto other courses and qualifications. The SMSTS is a recognised and beneficial certificate. It’s a must for those construction companies out there who are finding it difficult to meet the ever increasing demand for health and safety compliance. The certificate is increasingly becoming the yardstick by which the construction industry is measured. Delegates who successfully gain a Site Managers Safety Training Scheme certificate would be a welcome addition to any construction company. An individual with a SMSTS certificate can really make a difference to any company.

It is a Highly Recognised Qualification

The building industry has been inundated with new legislation in recent years. It has become a necessary requirement within the construction industry that any supervisory or managerial role must be able to show a competent manner regarding matters of health and safety. It has become an essential necessity to gain an SMSTS certificate to improve the career options of the present day supervisor or manager. The Site Managers Safety Training Scheme health and safety certificate is one of the most highly regarded certificates within the construction industry and is recognised throughout the United Kingdom as it proves that the individual meets the required standard of competency to operate any construction site.

Reduction in work related injuries

The time taken to employ the correct people to carry out specific tasks on a construction site is enormous. Therefore, the last thing a site manager needs is workforce injuries to slow down progress and even put a stop to some jobs resulting in missed deadlines. When a site manager is in possession of an SMSTS certificate it makes it possible to alleviate some of the work related injuries. Reductions in work related injuries provides a business with a positive edge as it will put the business in a stronger financial position. The replacement of injured tradesmen and labourers can be very expensive for the company.

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is necessary if you wish to fulfil your potential within your industry. The certificate is a standard for the construction industry and will show that you are professional and care about the way in which you work. 

Apply for a Site Foreman Position

As a site foreman, one of the requirements of the role is a SMSTS certificate. The certificate is required as proof that the site foreman is capable and trained to ensure safe working practices are adhered to at all times. It is the job of the foreman to ascertain who is going to carry out specific tasks while they are also expected to prioritise what tasks are to be carried out first. They must also liaise between his workforce and managers to report on progress. It is the foreman's task to ensure all new workers are aware of all new safety rules while  becoming a site foreman requires strong people skills and as well as the ability to manage effectively.

Become an Assistant Site Manager

The assistant manager is there to support the site manager and they are expected to be in possession of a SMSTS certificate. One of his main tasks is to report any health and safety issues to the site manager as well as all other relevant information relating to the role. The assistant manager plays a more hands-on role than the site manager does. They must work closely with the site foreman and will be expected to carry out physical work on site. This will enable them to be on site where they can then monitor the safety of the site.

Become a Site Manager

Should you want to become a site manager, you will have to hold a SMSTS certificate. If a potential site manager does not hold an SMSTS certificate, they are likely to fail in attempting to move into the role, highlighting the importance of the qualification. Site managers are invaluable due to the SMSTS certificate. They are there to run the day-to-day project requirements but to also to ensure that the workforce are carrying out the safe working practices he has instigated. His aim is to reduce construction accidents in order to negate potential legal action as a consequence

Gives You Credibility

As the holder of a SMSTS certificate, you will instantly put yourself in a great position. It will prove that you have the willing to improve working conditions for workers while taking care of company finances by reducing legal action due to accidents. This would make you appear to be professional in outlook as well as give you the respect to be able to demand that safe working standards are adhered to at all times.

Gives you Confidence to further your Career

To further your career, it takes confidence in your own ability as well as your knowledge. Having a SMSTS certificate will give you the right to be confident in the work you carry out as well as the working environment of your colleagues. It will enable you to look at better positions within the industry with confidence .The certificate shows that you are up to date with new building and health and safety legislation while also helping to raise the construction industries standards.

The CITB Health, Safety and Environment test (HS&E test), often referred to as the CITB touch screen test or CSCS touch screen test, is an essential part of obtaining your CSCS Green Labourer Card.

The Online Card Checker can be found here: https://www.citb.co.uk/cardcheck.

Many delegates require a proof of pass immediately following their training course, however pass certificates are not issued immediately by accrediting bodies such as CITB.

The Construction Industry Training Board have published a number of changes to their Site Safety Plus courses that they will be implementing from January 2018. Many of the changes are only relevant to training providers but we'd like to discuss some of the more important points for those booking onto these courses and those planning to run private in-house CITB courses.

SMSTS courses, accredited by CITB, are designed to train you in all aspects of environmental and health and safety legislation that will come under your responsibility as a construction site manager but you can't simply take the course and forget about it, you will need to refresh your training every five years by attending an SMSTS refresher course.

CSCS's primary objective is to provide evidence that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out.

What courses do I need to get my Green Labourer's Card

A short answer does exist. Two of the most common routes to the question we get asked the most are explained...

Courses are confusingly called different things by different people. In order to shed some light and avoid confusion please see below for some examples...

The H&S Awareness course, also known as Site Safety Awareness course, is one of the most popular routes for anyone looking to take their first step towards obtaining a CSCS Labourers (Green) Card.

The one day course provides delegates with a basic awareness of health & safety, and how H&S affects their job role. It is most suitable for those who have entered, or are about to enter, the construction and civil engineering industry.

The construction trade creates a unique, multi-teamwork status that's hard to find in other industries. Any building project or renovation will command a vast array of trades to work together as part of a wider team. Construction is one of the only industries where sub-contracting is consistent and necessary; and with this trend comes its own set of benefits and challenges.

We have plenty of options for busy labourers, supervisors and managers who need to find a local training course that fits their hectic schedule. Read on to find out more.

Good question! In the summer of 2014, changes were made to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. The changes introduced a new range of cards to the scheme, and the green card became the Labourer CSCS card.

Choosing an appropriate health and safety management course, such as whether to do the IOSH Managing Safely course or the CITB SMSTS course, can be a decision that's almost as difficult as completing the course itself.

If you're in a professional position such as Site Management, working as a Surveyor or in a Supervisory role, you'll be well aware of the importance of being aware of your own Continuing Professional Development to make sure that you're on top of your game. Each company tackles staff development and appraisal in its own way, but sooner or later we all have to take stock of our skills and make sure we're still working safely and are aware of legislation changes, especially those of us working in an ever-evolving industry like construction.

Maybe you always wanted to be a labourer, or maybe you just landed up in the trade? Whatever your reasons for ending up on site, if you love what you do but just wish you had a little more responsibility and a little bit more money at the end of the month, then it's time to start thinking about ways you can progress.

Overview

In this guide, we are going to reveal everything you need to know about the Site Management Safety Scheme (SMSTS) and the Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R). These are two courses that are crucial for site managers across the UK. With over 30 per cent of fatal work injuries in the UK occurring in the construction industry, there is no denying that improved health and safety is required.

The SMSTS course covers all legislation that impacts safe working in civil engineering, construction and building industries. It was established to instruct potential site managers and current site managers, enabling them to develop an understanding, awareness and knowledge of their social, moral and legal responsibilities regarding health, safety and welfare on construction sites.

It highlights the need to maintain an effective health and safety culture through adequate communication, implementing necessary control measures, and conducting regular workplace risk assessments. Unlike a lot of other health and safety courses, the SMSTS course is a step-by-step programme featuring both engaging and practical guidance with a key focus on construction.

Below, we are going to take you through the course in further detail, including who it is for, the content that is covers, how you will be assessed, example questions and exercises, and what you will achieve by the end of it. We will also take a look at the SMSTS refresher course, SMSTS-R.

Course aims and objectives of an SMSTS Course

The SMSTS course aims to help supervisors, agents and managers to do the following:

• Recognise that a safe site is productive, economical and efficient.
• Be accountable and have an understanding of the responsibilities required for health, safety and welfare on site.
• Manage health and safety on site within the context of your supervisory or management role and in accordance with the legal provisions in place at present.

By the end of the SMSTS training course, delegates should be aware of the following and be able to:

• State their responsibilities and duties when it comes to health, safety, welfare and the environment.
• Implement industry best practice and new guidance.
• Implement all health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation that is going to impact you during your day-to-day work.

Who is SMSTS suitable for?

This course is designed for site managers, as well as project managers, business proprietors, and supervisors. Client-based personnel can also benefit from attending such a course. If you already have responsibilities for planning, controlling, monitoring, organising and administering groups of staff, then the SMSTS is a must.

In fact, it is a standard entry-level requirement for most construction firms. You do not need to be an experienced manager to take this type of course. It is also suitable for those who aren't yet in such a position but have aims of becoming a site manager in the future. There are NO formal entry requirements for this course. In fact, it can significantly help to boost your CV.

I've heard about the SSSTS course, is this something I should take instead?

You may have heard about the SSSTS course, and are wondering whether this is the better option for you. SSSTS stands for Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. This is a course that is designed for first appointment supervisors or anyone that is looking to take up a management role in construction for the first time.

This course is classroom-based and will last two days. It aims to explain the importance of adhering to recent codes of practice, legal responsibilities, the need for control measures, and why it is vital to carry out effective risk assessments. In this course, the key message is that clear health and safety policies and good communication are a must for any supervisor. This course is not as advanced as the SMSTS course, and is not adequate if you are responsible for managing a construction workforce.

Let's take a look at the difference between the two qualifications in further detail:

Both qualifications require a refresher course. The SMSTS refresher course enables you to use your qualification for another five years, after which you will need to take another refresher course. This covers new issues in the construction industry and all of the newest developments in the law. The SSSTS qualification simply requires you to take a refresher course to ensure your qualification remains valid. It enables you to update your knowledge. However, the main differences between the two courses do not lie within their structure, but rather in their content. While they both cover health and safety in the construction environment, they have a different focus.

The SSSTS course is focused on boosting the understanding and awareness of managers, highlighting why good practice is required and what it is. On the other hand, the CITB SMSTS course is more focused on regulations and the law, highlighting the practices that the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have highlighted. Another difference comes with the way the courses are evaluated.

The SMSTS course is evaluated via a series of individual and group-based exercises, as well as an examination. The SSSTS course is simply evaluated by a 30-minute examination, which contains multiple-choice questions. When choosing between the two courses, you really need to think about your career and where you see yourself going. Don't convince yourself to take the SSSTS course simply because you feel it sounds a lot easier. If you are going to be working as a manager, you are going to need the SMSTS certificate if you are to be qualified in your role, so you really cannot afford to cut corners.

The benefits of taking an SMSTS course

There are many benefits to gain by taking a CITB SMSTS course. Let's take a look at them in further detail:

THE COURSE IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR SITE MANAGERS

There are many general health and safety courses that are available, but there aren't any that are tailored with site managers in mind. This means that in this course you will learn about the common problems and risks that site managers experience specifically. SMSTS course content is designed so that all of the elements you are going to need to address on-site have been covered.

YOU CAN BOOST YOUR CV AND IMPROVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Being SMSTS certified is a great way to boost your CV and benefit from improved job opportunities. The vast majority of construction companies will ask for this as a standard entry-level requirement. This mean that you are unlikely to be allowed to work on a site if you are not SMSTS certified.

YOU'LL BENEFIT FROM A HIGHLY-RESPECTED QUALIFICATION

The SMSTS qualification is one of the most highly-respected and regarded qualifications that are available for those who are responsible for the management of construction activities, including facilities, building maintenance and construction maintenance. It is recognised by the UKCG (United Kingdom Contractors Group) and endorsed by the CITB. Once you have this qualification, you will be acknowledged as having achieved a specific level of competence in health and safety.

THE COURSE IS QUICK TO COMPLETE

SMSTS courses last five days and it is up to you whether you want to opt for a day release course or if you would prefer for the course to be carried out as a full five-day working week consecutive block. Despite what some training providers may tell you, it is not possible to take an SMSTS online course. All courses are classroom-based and an SMSTS course onlinewill not be valid.

THERE IS A COMPULSORY REFRESHER COURSE

A compulsory SMSTS refresher course may not sound like good fun, but it is a great benefit. It means that you can ensure you are up to date with the latest rules, regulations, and practices. It also enables you to maintain your qualification for a long time, which will require less effort and less money when compared with having to do a different qualification from scratch.

Why businesses should only take on SMSTS trained employees and ensure their employees have this qualification

It is vital that health and safety regulations are adhered to in the workplace, especially in the construction industry, as it is a dangerous environment when compared with other types of work. Wrong decisions can impact the quality of people's lives, and you can reduce the chance of this happening and protect your workers by ensuring all site managers are SMSTS accredited.

Once your supervisors and managers have attained their qualification, you can be certain that they will implement high health and safety standards, and this will ultimately ensure a safe workplace for your clientele and the rest of your employees. All SMSTS courses demand full attendance and participants will need to pass an assessment, so you can be sure the CITB Site Safety Plus certificate is not given lightly.

Only those who have a good understanding of all potential health and safety risks and how to mitigate them will be awarded a certificate. Also, the fact that there is a refresher course, which is compulsory, means that your employees will always be up to date with the very latest in health and safety.

Course specification

As mentioned, there is no such thing as a valid SMSTS online course.The SMSTS training course is classroom-based and is held over five days. It covers the following areas:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act
• Confined spaces
• Demolition
• Scaffolding
• Working at height
• Excavations
• Electricity
• Management of occupational health
• Behavioural safety
• Recent changes in accepted working practices
• Method statements and risk assessments
• Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations

These are the main areas you will cover during the course, and there are many different subject fields within each one.

Any SMSTS training course will start with an introduction into health and safety law, enforcement, responsibilities, duties and sanctions, as well as explaining CDM regulations and any other relevant legislation. Once the regulations have been established, you will then learn about various accident causes, as well as advice on preventing such incidents, the cost of an accident, how to investigate it, and reporting systems to use.

Your tutor will also inform you about the different types of safety management policies and systems you can implement at your business while also providing you with guidance on how to measure safety systems to ensure they are performing well. Aside from this, you will learn about communicating efficiently to ensure safety, as well as how to manage contractors, and you will delve into behavioural science, for instance, being aware of human error. Your tutor will encourage you to motivate good safety behaviour and they will explain your responsibilities and duties as a construction site manager.

How is the SMSTS course assessed?

The CITB SMSTS course is assessed in two ways: exercises and an exam.

PART ONE: FOUR EXERCISES

The first part of the assessment is four individual and team-based exercises that are carried out throughout the course. These are as follows:

1. Implementing health and safety legislation
2. Supervisors' and managers' responsibilities
3. Site briefing
4. Site layout

You will need to show that you understand the course's main elements throughout these core exercises. Please note that these are merely the suggested exercises to use. The training provider may decide to choose different types of exercises based on what they feel is the most appropriate for the people they have on the SMSTS course at that time. For these exercises to be carried out, those on the course will be provided with a case study. This will give you a basis for the day-to-day working environment. The case study will be chosen based on those in attendance. At present, the case studies that are available for these exercises are as follows:

1. Factory and ancillary buildings
2. House building
3. Civil engineering
4. Demolition
5. Refurbishment
6. New roads and street works

A closer look at what the exercises entail…

Now that you are aware of how the SMSTS course is assessed, let's take a look at the exercises in further detail, as you may feel a bit apprehensive regarding what they entail. As mentioned, 'Exercise 1' is to implement health and safety legislation, so we are going to take you through this as an example. The purpose of this exercise is to give delegates the ability to develop ideas on the definition and implementation of health, safety and welfare, and how this will impact all duty-holders, from suppliers to the client. So, what does this exercise entail? For this task, you will be split into a small group, typically of five to six delegates. One person will be appointed as the leader. Each group will be appointed an employee category that has duties under the current legislation, for example, the client or self-employed. You will then have to carry out a series of tasks to demonstrate your confidence. The first task involves answering the following questions:

1. Describe and define your designated category
2. Identify their general health and safety duties in line with the applicable regulations
3. Where and with home does the responsibility lie for making sure that those duties are carried out?

The second task, which needs to be completed as part of this exercise, is split into two parts. These are as follows:

1. Groups need to get together to progress their ideas on methods for controlling and measuring health and safety performance in their category. At the initial stage, uncritical brainstorming is advised. This should then be following by carefully analysing the ideas that have been provided, so you can determine the measures that your group deems realistic and valid for health and safety performance monitoring.
2. The second part of this task is for the findings to be presented to the course. The group leader will have this role. At this stage, a discussion will take place for the purpose of generating useful modifications.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding regarding what the four core exercises are going to be like. The exercise mentioned above is generally assessed based on the following weightings - 10 per cent of the marks awarded are for information provided, 50 per cent of the marks are for comprehension, and 40 per cent of the marks are for application.

PART TWO: THE EXAM

The second part of the assessment is the SMSTS test, which you will take at the very end of the SMSTS 5-day course. The exam paper consists of 25 multiple-choice questions that will cover all aspects of the course. You will have 30 minutes to complete this paper. Don't leave the exam early - spend as much time as you can. The pass mark for the examination is 72 per cent.

Please note that you will be permitted to use the XA6 Course Notes and the Construction Site Safety (GE700) publication for the last ten minutes of the examination period. For this reason, it is advisable to spend 20 minutes answering the questions, and then give yourself ten minutes to check over the paper at the end or look for answers to questions you are struggling with.

Some examples of multiple-choice SMSTS test questions…

With regards to The Construction, Design & Management Regulations 2015, which document needs to be given to the client once you have completed a project?

• The Health and Safety file
• The construction phase plan
• The maintenance and operation manual
• The pre-tender health and safety file

Which one of the following substances is not hazardous?

• Allergen
• Toxic
• Carcinogen
• Irritant

What action does a site manager need to take if an operative, whom is deaf, is brought on site to work with a contractor?

• Refuse to let the operative on site
• Make sure the operative has a CSCS card and that they are fully qualified for the job
• Ensure another operative observes all of the tasks
• Make sure the contractor has carried out risk assessments for all of the tasks the deaf person needs to carry out

Under RIDDOR, which person is responsible for reporting to the HSE a specified injury that an employee has sustained?

• The injured person
• The CDM co-ordinator
• The principal contractor
• The injured person's employer

What do the five days of the course look like?

Of course, all SMSTS training providers have different ways of doing things, so please treat the below as merely a general guide:

DAY ONE

Day one will begin with all of the necessary administration. After which, you will be introduced to the course and the aims, objectives and expectations of the course will be explained. After this, a lot of SMSTS training providers will elect to carry out a questionnaire so they can understand what you know already. Don't worry about this - it is not a test. It is merely designed to enable the trainer to determine whether they need to set additional work or not.

Once all of this is done, the learning begins! You will be introduced to key health and safety figures in the UK, as well as the Health and Safety at Work Act and other important regulations. The day will end with a look at your responsibilities as site manager, and 'Exercise 1' will be carried out. At the end of the day, the tutor will review everything and set reading preparation for the following day.

DAY TWO

Day two will begin with a discussion about 'Exercise 1' from the previous day, with feedback given out. The tutor will then move onto the management of contractors, covering everything from PPE to duty holder's roles and responsibilities to the relationship between the client, principal contractor and principal designer. They will also teach you about the working environment and ensuring it is a safe place to be.

This will naturally lead into Work at Height Regulations, and health and safety management for plant, equipment and systems of work. 'Exercise 2' will then take place, followed by a review of the day and homework set for day three.

DAY THREE

Similarly to day two, day three will begin with an overview of the exercise carried out the previous day. You will be given feedback regarding your performance in 'Exercise 2'. The tutor will then move onto managing construction health risk, including controlling physical ill-health risks and hazardous substances.

They will also explain health and safety monitoring options, including accident reporting and investigation, as well as inspections, surveys, tours, and health and safety auditing. 'Exercise 3' will then take place, followed by a review of the day and reading setting in preparation for the next day.

DAY FOUR

You will be introduced to the SMSTS course content that is going to be taught on day four, and you will be given feedback regarding 'Exercise 3' carried out the day before. The tutor will then delve into the field of co-operation and communication, which includes your duty to provide information, instruction and training.

They will then move onto construction healthy and safety, covering everything from confined spaces and fire prevention to highly flammable liquids and underground services. You will then carry out the final task, 'Exercise 4'. The day will be reviewed and, again, homework will be set in preparation for the next day.

DAY FIVE

You have now reached the final day of the SMSTS course in Glasgow, London or wherever you may be taking it. The tutor will begin with some final revision in preparation for the end of course examination, which you will take on this day. After this, they will debrief exercise four, and you will have a discussion on how it went.

The tutor will then wrap up the course - this involves reviewing objectives and aims, finding out whether the course met your objectives effectively, completing feedback forms, and finalising course paperwork.

Qualifications and certification

If you pass the course, you will be awarded a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate and whilst there is no specific SMSTS card, you can list your qualification on your CSCS application, so you'll be able to prove you have the competency in this respect. However, please note that you will need to attend a refresher course every five years to renew your qualification.

Choosing an SMSTS course

There is a lot to consider when choosing a CITB SMSTS course. This includes the following:

WHAT IS INCLUDED

It is important to find out what you are actually going to experience from the five-day training course. What this means is, you should have a schedule for each day. You also need to know whether you are going to benefit from course materials or whether you need to invest in textbooks and alike.

DURATION

How long is the course going to last? Will it be taught in a block of several days or will it be spread out over numerous weeks?

LOCATION

No matter whether you are looking for SMSTS courses in London or SMSTS courses in Glasgow or anywhere else in the UK, location is important. Check out public transport routes and make sure you can get there with ease.

REPUTATION

You need to make sure that the course provider has a good reputation in the industry. Take the time to read reviews that have been left by those that have gone on the course before. What did they have to say about it? Did they achieve their CITB SMSTS qualification? Did they find the tutors helpful? This is the only way to get the answers to the questions you really want to know.

PASS RATES

Pass rates are of paramount importance when choosing a training provider. You need to make sure that they are successful at what they do. If a course provider does not have a very good pass rate, you need to ask yourself why.

Could it be because they aren't that great at providing the training? After all, not everyone that walks through their doors is going to be bad!

PRICE

Of course, price is a pivotal consideration when booking any type of training course. Whether you need to fund the SMSTS 5-day course or your business is going to do so is something you will need to discuss with them. If the former applies, do not make the error of choosing the cheapest course you can find. It will only end up costing you a lot more in the long run when you are not equipped for the assessment.

Make sure you are aware of what is included in the price, i.e. this includes lunch and refreshments during the course, registration and certification, and the cost of publications.

THE QUALITY OF TUTORS ON OUR SMSTS COURSE

Most course providers will have numerous tutors, and you may want to do a little bit of research regarding the tutor that is going to be taking your course. The best way to determine their level of quality is to look for reviews that reference the tutor in particular. You may find such feedback on the course provider's website or via an independent review platform.

You should also look at the experience and qualifications the tutor has, both in regard to working in the industry and teaching. Please note that to provide SMSTS training, tutors must not only be SMSTS certified, but they must have one of the following qualifications:

• DipSM Level 6
• NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Part 2 / NEBOSH Units A, B, C & D
• A Health and Safety degree
• NVQ/SVQ Level 5 in Occupational Health and Safety
• NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Safety and Health

CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULING

Find out the course's policy in regard to cancellations and rescheduling. This is especially important if there is a high chance you may need to change the date of your course due to work commitments.

Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R)

There is also a course that is available for those who have already passed the Site Manager Safety Training Scheme. This is a refresher course that is designed to bring you up to date with the latest legislative changes. After all, workplace health and safety regulations are changing all of the time. You are required to take this course every five years to renew your SMSTS qualification, or it will expire.

SMSTS refresher courses only last two days, and so they are quicker to complete than the initial course. The Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R) will build on the material that was provided in the original course while also introducing new subjects.

By the end of the course, you will be able to fulfil your responsibilities and duties with regards to welfare, health, safety and the environment. You will also have no trouble implementing new guidance and industry best practice, as well as the updated legislation regarding health, safety, welfare and the environment, which impacts your management role.

Please note: Prior to 01 January 2016, there was a six-month period of grace in place for those with an expired SMSTS certificate. This period of grace no longer exists, so you should never let your SMSTS certificate run out without having taken the necessary SMSTS refresher course.

Summary

Hopefully, We Do Training has given you a thorough understanding of both the Site Management Safety Scheme (SMSTS) and the Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R). Both courses are critical for site managers.

You may think you only need to achieve your SMSTS, and then forget about it. However, legislation and industry practices are changing all the time, so you need to keep in the know if you are to continue to provide a safe and healthy working environment for staff and protect the public.

While there isn't an actual SMSTS card, your SMSTS certificate can be added to your CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card to show additional experience to the qualifications CSCS asks for.

Have you ever got chatting to someone and found you have lots in common? Perhaps you live in the same town, have the same job in construction management, support the same football team. And then they drop the bombshell.

They're doing training you want to do with a really local training provider you've never heard of. How did that happen? After all you must have spent hours trying different keyword combinations searching Google for a local SMSTS course.

Paying for an SMSTS course is an expensive outlay. Whether you are covering the cost yourself or getting sponsorship, you will understandably want to get the most out of your SMSTS training.

That is why people often contact us asking for an SMSTS mock test or some example SMSTS test questions to help them study, although official CITB test revision questions do not exist, there are several online test questions available. Whilst we can't guarantee their reliability, it may be worth having a look and deciding for yourself. An example can be found at https://smstsmocktest.co.uk/. 

We often receive requests from delegates wanting to book an SMSTS online course, however such a course does not exist.  You can't do an SMSTS course online because all CITB Site Safety Plus courses are classroom based, delivered face-to-face by CITB accredited training providers.

We discuss the benefits of classroom based courses compared to online courses, something that is especially important when dealing with a such an intensive course requiring at least 37.5 - 42 contact hours (depending on method of delivery) that's aimed at construction site managers.

Overview

This guide offers a complete run-through of all you need to know about the SSSTS course (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) and the training and qualifications associated with this scheme. The course is accredited by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). Also included in this guide is information about the SSSTS Refresher course (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme Renewal or SSSTS-R for short).

SSSTS is designed to hep promote best health and safety practice amongst construction site supervisors and soon-to-be supervisors. As there are thousands of accidents on construction sites all over the country, including many fatalities and hundred of life altering injuries, good health and safety practice is imperative to ensure the wellbeing of everyone on site.

The SSSTS training course is designed to give site supervisors all the necessary knowledge and understanding of health and safety law that they will need in order to supervise a safe construction site. The course outlines all the relevant up-to-date health and safety legislation as well as offering information and advice on a supervisor's legal responsibilities and best practice approaches.

By the end of the training course, site supervisors will leave with a thorough understanding of how they and their skills can affect the way those under their supervision work on site so that they can use their new communication skills in order to promote safer working practices. The SSSTS course will also equip supervisors with the skills to conduct regular risk assessments and the skills to implement and maintain necessary control measures to help protect worker health and safety on site.

While the phrase "health and safety course" may not sounds overly enthralling, a SSSTS training course differs from other courses as it is assessed on a mixture of a written exam and practical group work making the course a much more inclusive experience. As the SSSTS course has a specific focus on construction site supervision, you will only be taught and assessed on information relevant to you and your job that you can relate to.

The rest of this guide will thoroughly explore the SSSTS course covering who it is aimed at, exactly how you will be assessed and what information you can expect to cover on the course. The guide will also mention the SSSTS refresher course and give you some information regarding the specificities of that course.

The aims and objectives of the SSSTS course

A SSSTS course in London or elsewhere aims to help site supervisors and potential supervisors with the following areas:

• Helping to identify and fully understand the supervisor's role on the construction site.
• Helping supervisors to understand why they need to undertake specific responsibilities.
• Outlining what is expected of a site supervisor.
• Helping to ensure that the supervisor contributes to the safety of the site on which they work.

By the time of completion of the SSSTS course, delegates should understand and be able to:

• State the obligations of a site supervisor in regard to health and safety in the workplace.
• Relay the basics of the Health and Safety at Work Act and understand how that affects their role.
• Carry out risk assessments and effective site inductions as well as understanding the need for method statements.
• Understand the problems the industry faces.
• Understand how their role as a supervisor fits in within the management structure in the controlling of site safety.
• Understand the value of timely intervention.

Who is SSSTS suitable for?

A SSSTS course in Kent or anywhere else in the country, is designed for site supervisors, first line site managers and team leaders. Gangers and any site foremen should also consider taking a SSSTS course. If you are responsible for other site workers as well as holding responsibility for planning, organising, administrating, controlling or monitoring any aspect of site safety, staff or procedure then you may also benefit from attending a SSSTS course.

A SSSTS qualification is an industry standard and is often a requirement for applying to work on a construction site and without it, your application won't even be considered. With this in mind, the SSSTS course content is also beneficial for those who don't yet hold a supervisor title but are looking to further their career by applying for a supervisory role in the near future. A SSSTS qualification looks very impressive on a CV. There are no formal entry requirements for attendance on this course so anyone at any stage of their career can attend and gain this prestigious qualification.

I've heard about the SMSTS course, is this something I should take instead?

If you have done your research, you will know that there are plenty of health and safety courses out there and picking the right one for you not only ensure that you have the correct knowledge for your job role; but making sure you have no gaps in your knowledge that will need fulling by taking the right course for you is also cost effective.

The SMSTS course stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme and it is aimed at site managers and other management positions within the construction industry.  Like the SSSTS course, the SMSTS course is also accredited by CITB. The course aims to teach managers their responsibilities and liabilities within health and safety law as well as teaching them how to ensure best safety practices within the work place by means of risk assessments, effective communication and understanding of their own duties, morally and legally.

The SMSTS course is mainly classroom based and lasts for 5 days. Delegate are assessed by a written examination at the end of the course but they are also assessed for their group and individual practical work throughout the week. After successful completion of the course, delegates will receive the CITB Site Safety certificate, which is an essential part of any site manager's CV.

The SMSTS and SSSTS courses do have their similarities in regard to the course content. Both courses highlight the importance of health and safety legislation and aim to teach how this legislation shapes and influences the role of supervisor or management. However, the SMSTS course is focussed on the role of the manager and so covers content which is simply not relevant to a site supervisor role. The added responsibility a manager has means that they need a more in-depth understanding of health and safety law than a site supervisor needs.

The SSSTS course content does cover health and safety legislation but it focusses on how it affects procedure at a more practical ground level so that site supervisors can ensure safe working practices within their role. Don't be fooled into thinking a longer and more complex course is necessary better as a course specifically designed for your job role is always the more appropriate course.

Both the SSSTS and SMSTS qualifications must be renewed and the SSSTS refresher course and SMSTS refresher course should be completed every 5 years. Completion of the SMSTS and SSSTS refresher renews the corresponding safety certificate for another 5 years.

The SSSTS course has been designed for site supervisors and potential supervisors and so the information contained within the course is going to be much more helpful for you in ensuring health and safety best practice in your job role. Taking the most appropriate course for your job role is also more cost effective as you do not need to pay for a course you don't necessarily need meaning you can achieve the qualifications to start working as a supervisor without the large financial outlay.

The benefits of taking the SSSTS course

There is an array of benefits that can be taken advantage of once the SSSTS course has been completed:

Highly respected and industry recognised qualification

The SSSTS qualification is recognised by the United Kingdom Contractors Group (UKCG) and is a requirement to work on any of their sites. The qualification is highly respected across the industry as well as being endorsed by CITB.

It is a sign that the holder of the qualification has been trained to the highest standard in health and safety in the workplace. SSSTS is considered the industry standard for all site supervisors and those hoping to supervise construction sites in the future.

A course specifically designed for your job role

As previously mentioned, there are plenty of health and safety courses out there and many of them designed for those who work in construction and affiliated industries. However, there are very few heath and safety courses which have been created and designed to specifically deal with the role and responsibilities of site supervisors.

The SSSTS course content is specifically designed for supervisors who are responsible for overseeing work on construction sites. This makes the course uniquely ideal for teaching the health and safety best practice for those who work within this style of role.

The course is quick to complete

The SSSTS course is taken over just two days and so is relatively quick to undertake. This means that you do not need to take too long away from work in order to complete this course and if you complete the course successfully, you will find yourself with a valuable qualification within very little time.

This course is also idea if you need to gain the accreditation quickly after an unexpected promotion or if a last-minute career advancement opportunity presents itself. Despite what some course providers may advertise, SSSTS courses are classroom only courses, not online. Any online SSSTS certifications are not official and will not be accepted as valid accreditations by construction site management.

A SSSTS qualification looks great on a CV

If you want your CV to stand out from the crowd the next time you are applying for a promotion or new role in construction, then a SSSTS qualification is the way to go about it. Having this on your CV not only shows that you have the best and most inclusive health and safety training available in the industry; but it also shows that you are dedicated and willing and able to learn new skills. Being able to boast the SSSTS course on your CV means that you are prepared for additional responsibility.

It's a great foundation for further career development

If you see your career in construction developing to the management chain, then the SSSTS course is a great first step on that career ladder. The course will give you a great foundation upon which you can build your knowledge and skills should you decide to pursue a career in construction site management.

Compulsory refresher training

The SSSTS qualification must be renewed every five years in order to remain valid. This compulsory SSSTS refresher course ensures that you will always remain up-to-date with the latest in health and safety best practice as well as any changes in health and safety law and legislation which affects your role as site supervisor.

The SSSTS refresher is also a much more cost-effective way to ensure that you are always in possession of an appropriate qualification rather than having to pay out for a new qualification should you allow your SSSTS certificate to become invalid.

Why businesses should only take on SSSTS trained supervisors and ensure that all their supervisors have this qualification

Adhering to health and safety law is vital in any industry but especially so in an industry as dangerous and often unpredictable as construction. Numbers of accidents at work are in the thousands in the UK but if you work in construction, an accident at work can be catastrophic and even fatal.

Accidents on construction sites are likely to be life altering and will affect a victim's quality of life for years. This, as well as the financial cost to employers, is why the proper health and safety training is so important.

Ensuring that all your site supervisors have attended and successfully completed a SSSTS course gives you the reassurance that those who are charged with supervising your construction site and your other employees have received the best health and safety training possible. Once your site supervisors have attended a SSSTS course and received the CITB SSSTS certificate, they will begin to operate and implement health and safety practices which will ensure that accidents on your construction sites become a rarity and the health and safety of your employees are kept at the forefront of your supervisor's priorities.

Looking for a SSSTS qualification on the CV of any potential new supervisor is also a great way to identify potential employees who take health and safety responsibility seriously. The accreditation is a good sign that your potential new supervisor has a willingness and the ability to learn and progress.

The SSSTS certificate needs to be renewed every 5 years via attendance on a SSSTS refresher course. This means that your site supervisors will always be kept up-to-date with all the latest health and safety legislation and best practice.

Course specification

A valid SSSTS training course is based in a classroom and, as previously mentioned, any provider offering an online SSSTS course is attempting to deceive you as there is no such valid online accreditation. The two-day SSSTS course covers the following areas:

• Health and Safety at Work Act
• Understanding how health and safety legislation affects supervisors
• Risk assessments and the need for method statements
• The role of the supervisor and how that fits in with the management structure in controlling site safety
• A supervisor's legal responsibility around health and safety, welfare and environmental issues
• Site inductions and toolbox talks and method statement briefings
• Behavioural safety in the workplace
• Occupational health
• Persona protection equipment (PPE)
• How to monitor site activities effectively
• Understanding the problems the industry faces regarding health and safety
• Understanding the importance of quick intervention when bad health and safety practice is reported or identified

These are the main areas which will be covered as part of the SSSTS course content but you will delve deeper into each topic. Any SSSTS course will usually begin with an induction and a brief explanation of health and safety law and the areas which are of most important to a construction site supervisor. Other important legislation and key supervisor responsibilities in welfare, environmental issues and site best practice will be explained as well as the CDM regulations which hold most importance to site managers.

Once delegates understand their responsibilities and the law regarding health and safety, the course will begin to focus on the accidents which can happen on a construction site and the best way to avoid these accidents. Delegates will be walked through the importance of risk assessments, how to perform risk assessments and how to implement the change needed to prevent accident and injury. Attendees will also be shown the correct procedure to follow and reporting systems to use should an accident occur.

Also covered in the course are tips and basic advice which will aid supervisors with good communication and leadership skills which will equip delegates with the tools necessary to implement best practice and effectively lead and manage a team so that they can ensure the maintenance of health and safety practice. As the course is focussed on the role of the site supervisor, all topics covered will offer tailored advice and information on how to implement and relate all the skills learnt, directly to the workforce at ground level.

How is the SSSTS course assessed?

The SSSTS training course is assessed in two ways; there are group activities which will be assessed by the trainer conducting the course and there is an exam at the end of day two.

Previously, the SSSTS test questions and answers were all multiple-choice, however as of January 2018, CITB have updated the structure of their Site Safety Plus courses such that the SSSTS test now includes multiple-choice questions, image based questions and questions that require written answers.

Part one: the exercises

The first part of the SSSTS assessment is practical assessments which are done in groups. During the two-day course you will be asked to form groups and take part in a number of tasks and discussions to demonstrate your understanding of the topics which are being covered as part of the course. Topics which you may be asked to cover include:

• Implementing health and safety legislation on site
• Where and when risk assessments should be performed
• Site briefings and tool box talks
• Behavioural safety
• Occupational health

These topics are designed to test your attitudes and responses to specific issues which challenge supervisors on a daily basis on construction sites up and down the country. While a site supervisor will encounter issues related to all the above issues and more, it is important to know that you are unlikely to be tested and assessed on all of them. The number of group assessments and the topics they cover will be dependent on how many delegates are on the course and the time restraints the assessor is working with.

The group assessments will be conducted around a case study which will form the basis of any discussion. Again, the case studies chosen will depend on the number of attendees and what the trainer deems most appropriate. Likely case studies which may crop up however include:

• Civil engineering
• Refurbishment
• Factory and ancillary building
• Demolition
• Street works
• Building of new homes

What the exercises entail

Many people feel apprehensive at the thought of being assessed and working as part of a group, especially with people they have only just met. The above description of the group exercises may feel a little vague so we will run through an example of the type of group assessment you may be challenged with as part of a SSSTS training course. Again, it is important to remember that the group assessments will vary from course to course and will depend on who is in attendance on the day.

The purpose of the group assessments is to give attendees the opportunity to develop their own ideas and understanding health and safety regulations as well as develop their own leadership style. Delegates are given the chance to get a taste of the problems they are likely to face within their role and explore ways to approach and solve these problems whilst also gaining the experience and ideas of other members of the group. The group work also gives the trainer the chance to see how individuals are working and gain a good handle on how they are understanding the course material.

If we use the first topic mentioned above, implementing health and safety legislation on site, as our example topic we can run through a group assessment example. Delegates will be asked to get into groups and then they will be allocated a specific employee category such as self-employed or contractor. Each group will then be asked to consider and answer fully these questions:

• Define and describe your category
• Identify the general health and safety responsibilities of your category under current legislation
• Establish where and with whom those responsibilities lie

The groups will then come back together and discuss their answers as a whole so that the trainer can give feedback and correct any misunderstandings before the second part of the group exercise begins.

Delegates will then be asked to return to their smaller groups to discuss and develop their ideas on how best to measure and control the health and safety performance of their given category. It may be suggested that you brainstorm several ideas before analysing what has been suggested to develop the ideas which the group deem most realistic and valid.

The group will then be required to present their ideas to the rest of the room. This will prompt discussion with other groups before the trainer summarises the findings of the groups and outlines problem areas which may have cause misunderstandings or difficulties.

Again, the above is just an example of the group exercises but you can expect similar scenarios surrounding the other topics which the course covers.

Part two: the exam

At the end of day two of the SSSTS course, attendees will be required to sit a 30-minute, 25 question test, made up of a mixture of question types, including multiple-choice questions which will test their understanding of the SSSTS course content.

The SSSTS exam paper also includes four safety critical questions, all of which must be answered correctly for the delegate to successfully pass the exam. The SSSTS test includes written and image based questions as well.

Delegates will need to gain at least 80%, as well as achieving 70% in the practical group assessments, to successfully pass the SSSTS course.

What does the two-day course look like?

While all SSSTS course trainers conduct their courses in slightly different ways, what follows is an example of how you can expect your CITB 2 day supervisor course to run:

Day one

The course will usually begin with an introduction to the course and the trainer will outline the course aims and objective before jumping straight in to health and safety legislation and regulations.

As the SSSTS course is only two days long, you will mainly focus on the legislation important to site supervisors and their duties.

You will run through the Health and Safety at Work Act and discuss key health and safety figures in the UK.

You will also begin to examine specific issues that site supervisors will face in terms of health and safety and then you will do a group exercise before the end of the day.

Day two

You will likely begin the day with reviewing day one and receiving feedback on the group activities.

The trainer will then cover risk assessments and method statements before introducing you to PPE, occupational health and then moving on to interventions when bad practice is reported.

Then you will often be given another group task before the trainer reviews all the course material before giving you the SSSTS exam to complete the course.

Qualification and certification

Upon successful completion of the SSSTS course, you will be awarded a CITB Construction Skills Site Safety Plus certificate which will be valid for 5 years.

While there is no specific SSSTS card, you can list this qualification on your CSCS application to prove you have competent understanding of health and safety procedure.

After five years, you will need to complete a SSSTS refresher course to maintain the validity of your qualification.

Choosing a SSSTS course provider

There are many health and safety course providers out there and it is important that you choose the right one for you to ensure you get the best training as well the best value for money. Things to consider include:

Content

Knowing that the SSSTS course you are taking covers the information you require is important. Ask for a course breakdown before booking to find out whether you will benefit from the course.

Location

There are SSSTS courses in London, SSSTS courses in Kent and all over the rest of the country so find a course which is most convenient for you. Look for ones within travelling distance or close to public transport.

Pass rates

A good course provider should have good pass rates as the examinations themselves are standard across the board. If the pass rates are poor, then it stands to reason the training is poor too.

Price

Compare the cost of the SSSTS course on offer with other providers in your area to find the average cost of such a course. The cheapest courses may be cheap for a reason. Also, check what is included in the price, such as refreshments and lunch.

All courses booked through We Do Training include all materials, textbooks, certificates and registration.

Reputation

Look at reviews from previous attendees of the course provider to gauge whether they are right for you. Where the tutors helpful? Were previous delegates happy with their training?

Cancellation policy

While this may not be a deciding factor in your choice of SSSTS course provider, it is always a good idea to read the cancellation policy for your provider if you think there may be a chance you have to reschedule.

Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SSSTS-R)

Once you have passed the SSSTS course, you must take the SSSTS refresher course every 5 years to keep your accreditation valid. The SSSTS refresher covers any changes in health and safety legislation as well as teaching changes in health and safety best practice.

Health and safety is constantly changing, which is one of the reasons the refresher course is necessary as well as compulsory. New material which the refresher course covers includes:

• Control of subcontractors
• CoSHH, Noise and Vibration assessment
• Health issues
• Overview of environmental legislation

Again, the refresher course is assessed using a mixture of group assessment and an examination made up of multiple-choice questions, as well as image and written based questions and answers.

The refresher course lasts for only one day.

Summary

After reading this guide, hopefully We Do Training has given you a full understanding of the SSSTS course; who is it for, what it includes and how to find the best course provider.

Regulations and legislation are always changing and adjusting so it is important that you keep up-to-date and in the know when it comes to health and safety in the workplace.

The SSSTS training course is a great place to start gaining a deeper understanding of your health and safety responsibilities as a site supervisor.

The Construction Industry Training Board are a bit like Ronseal. They do exactly what it says on the tin. They offer training across all areas of the construction industry. From environmental management to temporary works they have an extremely comprehensive catalogue.

We all know that workplace training is vital for the growth of any business, but for many businesses there simply isn’t enough space in their premises to hold a training session.

• Ten Metre Fall into a Water Tank
• A man's severed hand falls down a foundation casing
• Builder's miraculous escape from collapsed wall
• The man with seven metal bars in his neck
• Six foot long iron rod impales man
• Man fires six nails into his head
• The woman buried alive under tons of sand
• Delivery Man Killed by falling tape measure
• Man survives a three inch nail embedded in his brain
• Man rescues his own severed arm after driving himself to hospital

CSCS Labourer Card Qualifications

To obtain your CSCS Card (AKA - Green Card), first you MUST have passed:

• Health, Safety & Environment Test. Also known as the Touch Screen Test (within last two years of your CSCS Card application).

You will also need to have passed ONE of the following popular courses:

• The CITB Health and Safety Awareness course(within 5 years of your CSCS Card application). 
• The IOSH Working Safely course* (within 3 years of your CSCS Card application).
  
  * This cannot be the online version. It must be the IOSH Working Safely classroom version of the course.

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is an educational course designed for construction industry managers who are responsible for the safety of their workforce and the public. The aim is to make the building site a better and safer place for both the worker and the public.

The SMSTS has been specifically designed for managers within the construction industry who have the duty to manage and supervise a workforce. The qualification is easily accessible and there is no requirement that you are an experienced manager to pursue it. The SMSTS course has been designed for both experienced and inexperienced managers but both will experience the benefits from obtaining the qualification. Throughout the construction industry, the qualification shows that you have the knowledge and understanding of health and safety and that leads to a safer working environment. Another major benefit is that it can also improve your prospects when it comes to furthering your career.

The SMSTS course is commonly held over a five-day period. The subjects covered on the course are varied and set out, as both group and individual exercises and you will be asked to carry out presentations and case studies. The course consists of a wide range of interesting subjects ensuring that all aspects of health and safety are covered. This includes health and safety methods, demolition, scaffolding, excavations, risk assessment and design management.

Site Management Safety Training Scheme

The legal requirements within the construction industry have grown enormously over the last decade. Construction site managers and supervisors now have a legal responsibility to their fellow construction colleagues and the public. It is not just the legalities and regulations of construction that they have to adhere to. There is also a moral duty to do everything possible to prevent accidents and injuries while on the building site. Due to these new responsibilities it is imperative that on-going training put in place and completed. Training is no longer the luxury it used to be which means that it is now a necessity and a requirement to train everyone to the construction industries standard. Therefore, by attending an SMSTS course you can prove you comply with the laws and regulations as you have been prepared and trained to operate a safe building site at all times.

Once you have completed The Site Management Safety Training Scheme and you are certified as a competent site manager you will be able to go about your everyday duties knowing your responsibilities with confidence. This will also lead to you having a greater respect from colleagues based around the decisions that you make and that leads to increased trust. However, after five years you will be required to return for a two-day SMSTS refresher course. This is to ensure you are up to date with the ever-changing construction industries legislation.

Obtaining your Site Management Safety Training Scheme certificate and through attending the refresher course when required, will enable you to display your ability to comply with all construction site legalities and regulations. This effectively means that you are continuing to protect your fellow site workers as well as the public.