CITB SSSTS Course - Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme

The CITB Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is a two-day accredited course designed for individuals who have, or are about to acquire, supervisory responsibilities within the construction industry. This course is recognised by Build UK as the standard training for all supervisors and first-line managers working on construction sites across the UK.

The SSSTS course provides supervisors with a comprehensive understanding of their legal, moral, and social responsibilities for health, safety, welfare, and environmental protection on site. It covers all relevant legislation and best practices that affect safe working in the building, construction, and civil engineering industries.

The course emphasises the critical importance of risk assessment in the workplace, the implementation of necessary control measures, and effective communication strategies to sustain a strong health and safety culture among the workforce. Delegates will learn that a safe site is not only essential for worker welfare but also more efficient, economical, and productive.

Upon successful completion, delegates will receive a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate, valid for five years.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the CITB SSSTS course, delegates will be able to:

Legal Understanding and Responsibilities

• Understand health and safety legislation - Describe the purpose and structure of health and safety law as it applies to the construction industry
• Implement supervisory responsibilities - Identify how their supervisory role fits within the management structure for controlling site safety
• Apply CDM Regulations - Explain how the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations support health and safety on site
• Develop accountability - Recognise their responsibility and accountability for site health, safety, and welfare of workers

Risk Management

• Conduct risk assessments - Carry out comprehensive risk assessments and understand the legal requirement for method statements
• Write safe systems of work - Produce and implement method statements to ensure a safe working environment
• Identify hazards - Systematically identify potential hazards and evaluate associated risks

Communication and Leadership

• Deliver effective site inductions - Conduct thorough site inductions for new workers and visitors
• Present toolbox talks - Prepare and deliver engaging toolbox talks and safety briefings to the workforce
• Provide method statement briefings - Communicate method statements clearly to ensure understanding and compliance
• Promote safety culture - Explain how good leadership and worker engagement can protect the workforce

Monitoring and Intervention

• Monitor site activities - Effectively observe and assess construction site activities for compliance with safety standards
• Carry out statutory inspections - Understand how to complete required inspections and checks for construction sites
• Implement timely interventions - Recognise bad practice and understand the importance of immediate corrective action
• Report incidents - Describe how to properly report accidents, injuries, and ill health within the construction industry

Health, Welfare and Environmental Management

• Protect workforce health - Explain how to safeguard the health and welfare of workers on construction sites
• Maintain management systems - Describe how to develop, maintain, and monitor a health and safety management system
• Address environmental concerns - Understand environmental issues relevant to site supervision and recognise that safe sites are environmentally responsible

Professional Development

• Supervise in accordance with legislation - Apply current legal provisions within the context of their supervisory role
• Contribute to site efficiency - Understand that effective health and safety management leads to economical and productive sites
• Build confidence and competence - Develop the skills needed to lead by example and manage team safety effectively

Assessment

Delegates are assessed through:

• Continuous assessment - Active participation throughout the two-day course, including group exercises
• Practical exercise - Preparation of risk assessments, method statements, and/or site setup details
• Toolbox talk presentation - Delivery of a prepared toolbox talk to fellow delegates
• Written examination - A 30-minute exam consisting of 22 multiple-choice questions and 3 short written questions (pass mark: 80%)

All four safety-critical questions must be answered correctly to pass the examination.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Site supervisors and first-line managers
• Foremen, gangers, and team leaders
• Anyone about to acquire supervisory responsibilities in construction
• Those looking to progress toward the 5-day SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) course

Certificate Validity: 5 years (renewal via 1-day SSSTS Refresher course required before expiry)