What is SSSTS? Meaning and who it is for

What does SSSTS stand for?

SSSTS means Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme. You may also see it written as Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme.

CITB sets the scheme rules. Approved training providers deliver the course and run the exam.

In short, SSSTS is the supervisor-level course and SMSTS is the manager-level course. Our guide to the difference between them helps you pick.

Who is the SSSTS course for?

It is for people who currently supervise work on site, or are about to take on supervisory duties. Think of foremen, charge hands, team leaders and trade supervisors.

CITB sets no formal entry requirements. You should already be a supervisor or be about to become one, and your English should be good enough for a site supervisor. CITB recommends some health and safety knowledge before you start.

If you are unsure whether the course suits your role, ask your employer or a training provider before booking.

• Foremen and gangers
• Charge hands and team leaders
• Trade supervisors who direct other workers

How long is the course and what does it cover?

The course runs for two days and 15 hours. Providers can deliver it in a classroom or remotely.

It covers health and safety law, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, risk assessments and method statements, health and welfare, general safety, high risk activities such as working at height and excavations, and environmental awareness.

The syllabus has five areas. Your trainer works through each one over the two days.

Use this list as a map for your revision after the course.

The course is short, so make notes as you go and ask your trainer about anything that links to your own site.

• Law and management: health and safety law, CDM 2015, risk assessments and method statements, reporting accidents and ill health
• Health and welfare: first aid and emergencies, hazardous substances, asbestos, dust and fumes, noise and vibration, manual handling
• General safety: site set up, fire, electricity, plant, lifting operations
• High risk activities: working at height, excavations, underground and overhead services, confined spaces, temporary works
• Environment: environmental awareness, pollution, waste, nuisance

How does the course end?

First there is a trainer review, with three parts marked pass or fail: teamwork in the group exercise, active engagement with the course, and completing a toolbox talk. You must pass all three, and you cannot sit the exam if you fail the review.

The exam has 25 questions in 30 minutes: 22 multiple choice and three short written questions. The pass mark is 80%. Four safety critical questions come at the start of the paper, and you must answer all four correctly. Our guide to SSSTS safety critical questions explains what that means.

If you do not pass first time, the scheme allows a resit in some cases, within 30 days. Our guide to the safety critical questions explains the rules.

What is the supervision guide, and how long does the certificate last?

Each delegate receives their own copy of the CITB publication Construction site supervision (GE706) and keeps it after the course. You may use it in the last ten minutes of the exam.

Read it during the course, not for the first time in the exam room.

CITB says SSSTS certification is valid for five years. Before it ends you can retake the course or complete the one-day SSSTS Refresher.

You can see how our free practice paper feels at any point, but it does not replace the approved course.