SSSTS Course Explained: Duration, Cost and Who Needs It

[edit] Introduction

The Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is a recognised Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Safety Plus course for people who have, or are about to take on, supervisory responsibilities within the construction industry. It is intended to develop the knowledge and skills needed to supervise health, safety and welfare on construction sites and to understand the legal and practical responsibilities associated with the role.

Unlike general site safety awareness training, SSSTS focuses on the responsibilities of supervisors for planning and controlling work, implementing suitable control measures, monitoring working practices and communicating health and safety requirements to workers. The course is intended to complement, rather than replace, the site-specific arrangements, risk assessments, construction phase plan and other health and safety procedures applicable to a particular project.

[edit] What does the SSSTS course cover?

SSSTS covers the principles and practical application of health and safety management within the scope of a site supervisor's role. Topics include legal responsibilities, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), risk assessment, method statements, control measures, accident prevention, communication, site monitoring and safe systems of work.

The course also considers the responsibilities of supervisors in relation to workers, including providing appropriate information, instruction and supervision, responding to unsafe practices and helping to ensure that agreed control measures are implemented. Depending on the course content and current CITB requirements, other areas of health, safety, welfare and environmental management may also be addressed.

CDM 2015 establishes duties for clients, designers, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors and workers. For supervisors, understanding how these duties affect construction activities is particularly important. Risk assessments and method statements can form part of the arrangements used to identify and control risks, although a written method statement is not itself a specific requirement of CDM 2015. (Designing Buildings)

The course is therefore concerned not simply with recognising construction hazards, but with applying health and safety principles through effective supervision and day-to-day management of site activities.

[edit] Course duration, assessment and certification

The standard SSSTS course is delivered over two days. It can be delivered through classroom or remote learning, with the course involving tutor-led instruction and activities designed to develop understanding of the supervisor's responsibilities. CITB states that there are no formal entry requirements, although delegates should hold, or be about to hold, a site supervisor role and previous health and safety knowledge is recommended. (CITB)

Successful completion requires delegates to meet the course assessment requirements. The SSSTS examination includes multiple-choice and short written questions, with safety-critical questions that must be answered correctly. The assessment is taken at the end of the course. (CITB)

An SSSTS certificate is valid for five years. Delegates who wish to remain within the scheme can take the one-day SSSTS Refresher (SSSTS-R) before their existing certificate expires. The refresher is intended to update knowledge, particularly in relation to changes in legislation, procedures and working practices. (CITB)

[edit] How much does an SSSTS course cost?

The cost of an SSSTS course varies according to the training provider, location, delivery method and course arrangements. There is therefore no single UK-wide course fee.

Prices may differ between classroom and remote courses and may also depend on whether training is arranged for individual delegates or delivered for a group of workers. Employers arranging training should establish what is included in the advertised fee, including the assessment and certification arrangements, and should ensure that the course is delivered through the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme by an appropriately approved training provider.

For organisations training several supervisors, an on-site or group course may reduce travel and accommodation costs, although the suitability and cost-effectiveness of the arrangement will depend on the circumstances.

[edit] Who needs an SSSTS course?

SSSTS is primarily intended for people who hold, or are about to take on, site supervisory responsibilities. This can include site supervisors, chargehands, forepersons, team leaders and experienced tradespeople who are responsible for overseeing the work of others.

It can also be relevant where a person's duties include allocating work, monitoring construction activities, checking that control measures are implemented, providing information and instruction, or ensuring that workers follow established safe working practices. The precise responsibilities of a supervisor vary according to the organisation, project and contractual arrangements.

SSSTS should be distinguished from the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS). SSSTS is intended for supervisory responsibilities, while SMSTS is a longer course aimed primarily at people with broader site management responsibilities, including responsibility for planning, organising, monitoring, controlling and administering groups of staff. CITB describes SMSTS as a five-day course and recommends SSSTS for people without previous health and safety management experience who are progressing towards site management responsibilities. (CITB)

[edit] Is SSSTS worth doing?

For someone moving from a skilled trade or operative role into construction supervision, SSSTS can provide a structured introduction to the health and safety responsibilities associated with supervising construction work. It helps establish an understanding of legal duties, risk management, communication, supervision and the practical implementation of control measures.

The value of the course depends on the individual's role and responsibilities. SSSTS is not a substitute for project-specific competence, experience, site induction or the health and safety arrangements established for a particular construction project. Supervisors must apply their knowledge within the requirements of the project and the instructions and procedures established by those responsible for managing the work.

Where an individual is moving into a site management position with wider responsibility for planning, organising and controlling construction operations, SMSTS may be more appropriate. The choice between the two schemes should therefore reflect the person's actual or intended level of responsibility rather than simply their job title.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• CDM 2015
• Construction phase plan
• Construction site safety
• Health and safety for building design and construction
• Method statement for construction
• Risk assessments and method statements RAMS
• Safety briefing for construction workers
• Site induction
• Site inspection
• Toolbox talk for construction workers