CITB-Accredited
The industry-standard qualification you need to supervise on a UK construction site.
Flexible Classes
Train without disrupting your work week with our midweek and weekend course options.
Exceptional Value
Get fully certified for just £250 + VAT. Our all-inclusive price has no hidden fees.
Expert Tutors
Learn from experienced construction professionals with real-world knowledge.
Course Overview
Get all the details about the SSSTS course, who it’s for, and why JFK Tech is your best choice for training.
The Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is the essential qualification for anyone with or preparing to take on supervisory responsibilities in the UK construction industry. Delivered over two intensive days, this CITB-accredited course provides a practical understanding of legal responsibilities, health and safety principles, and effective site supervision strategies.
Endorsed by Build UK, SSSTS is widely recognised as the industry benchmark for supervisory competence. It equips supervisors with the confidence to lead their teams safely, manage on-site risks proactively, and maintain compliance with UK health and safety regulations.
The cost of the SSSTS course is £200 + VAT, making it an affordable and valuable investment in safety leadership for companies of all sizes. This is especially for small construction sites, where supervisors often carry multiple responsibilities.
This CITB-accredited course is the established industry standard and is essential if you are a:
- Site Supervisor or First-Line Manager
- Foreman, Ganger, or Team Leader
- Construction professional preparing for your first supervisory role
- Anyone who needs to understand their duties for controlling site safety under UK health and safety law.
If your role involves instructing, supervising, and monitoring the tasks of others on a construction site, this qualification is a mandatory step in demonstrating your competence and commitment to safety.
While small construction sites often operate with limited staff and resources, the risks are just as serious as those on large-scale projects. Unlike bigger sites, smaller operations may not have a dedicated Health and Safety Officer, meaning supervisors often take on multiple roles from managing workforce and scheduling to overseeing hazard control.
Without formal training, critical risks can easily go unnoticed or unaddressed, leading to accidents, project delays, or legal consequences. SSSTS training helps fill this gap, empowering supervisors to make informed, proactive safety decisions.
Small construction sites frequently face:
- Slips, trips, and falls from uneven surfaces or cluttered walkways
- Restricted access routes for vehicles and pedestrians
- Manual handling injuries due to lack of lifting equipment
- Electrical hazards from temporary power setups
- Inadequate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) caused by tight budgets
These risks highlight why trained supervisors are crucial to maintain safe and efficient working conditions. SSSTS training provides the tools and frameworks to identify, assess, and control these hazards effectively.
Safety is central to a door supervisor’s role. This module includes:
- Expert-Led Training : Our tutors are seasoned construction professionals who provide practical, relevant training based on real-world scenarios.
- Flexible Scheduling : As one of the few providers offering both midweek and weekend courses, we make it easy to get qualified without sacrificing site time.
- Transparent Value : The £250 + VAT fee is all-inclusive, covering registration, materials, the exam, and your certificate. No hidden costs.
- Dedicated Support :Our interactive classroom environment ensures you receive personalised guidance, fostering a deeper understanding of complex safety principles.
SSSTS Course Curriculum
The SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) course is designed to equip site supervisors with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills to create and maintain a safe working environment. Click each module to learn more.
- Understand the legal framework governing site safety, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and CDM Regulations 2015.
- Define your responsibilities as a site supervisor and how they align with employer obligations.
- Learn to conduct effective risk assessments and prepare method statements to control hazards.
- Master the delivery of site inductions and toolbox talks to ensure clear communication with your team.
- Focus on promoting workforce well-being and environmental responsibility.
- Learn to manage hazardous substances (COSHH), including asbestos, dust, fumes, and other workplace hazards.
- Understand best practices for manual handling, first aid, and emergency procedures.
- Gain strategies to support mental health on-site and foster a positive, safety-first culture.
- Explore environmental management practices to minimize the site’s impact.
- Gain the competence to supervise high-risk operations effectively.
- Receive in-depth training on working at height, excavations, temporary works, lifting operations, managing services, and confined spaces.
- Learn how to assess, control, and monitor these activities to reduce incidents and ensure legal compliance.
- Master the fundamentals of establishing a safe and secure site environment.
- Learn protocols for site security, fire prevention, and electrical safety.
- Learn protocols for site security, fire prevention, and electrical safety.
- Explore how strong setup and control measures reduce risks and support efficient site operations.
Your Qualification Path
From course completion to career progression, here’s a clear guide to your SSSTS certification journey.
The Examination
A 30-min exam with 22 multiple-choice and 3 written questions. An 80% score is required to pass, and you must answer all 4 safety-critical questions correctly.
Your CITB Certificate
Upon passing, you receive an official CITB Site Safety Plus e-certificate, nationally recognised and valid for 5 years.
Staying Certified
To maintain your qualification, complete a 1-day SSSTS Refresher (SSSTS-R) course before your current certificate expires.
SSSTS Certificate vs. CSCS Card: What’s the Difference?
Your SSSTS certificate proves your health and safety knowledge. It’s a key requirement for obtaining or renewing a **CSCS Supervisor Card (Gold Card)**, but the card itself also requires a separate, competence-based NVQ to prove your practical skills.
SSSTS vs. SMSTS: Which Course Do You Need?
Understand the key differences to choose the right qualification for your career level.
| Feature | SSSTS (Supervision) | SMSTS (Management) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Supervisors, Foremen | Site/Project Managers |
| Course Length | 2 Days | 5 Days |
| Focus | Supervising tasks safely | Managing overall site safety |
| Outcome | Qualifies you to supervise | Qualifies you to manage |
In short: If you supervise others, you need the SSSTS. If you manage the entire site, the SMSTS is for you.
SSSTS Training Benefits for Small Sites
The benefits include:
Improved Supervisor Safety Knowledge
Supervisors trained under SSSTS gain the ability to identify hazards early, reducing the chance of accidents. This knowledge ensures supervisors can make informed decisions even when working without a full-time health and safety officer.
Consistent Compliance with SSSTS Requirements
Small sites often face scrutiny from regulators and clients regarding safety compliance. Trained supervisors understand SSSTS requirements, which cover record-keeping, reporting incidents, and demonstrating that risk assessments have been conducted. This makes inspections smoother and reduces the risk of penalties.
Better Control of Small Site Hazards
Supervisors can implement structured controls that address hazards specific to small sites, such as managing confined spaces, organising vehicle access, and ensuring scaffolding is used correctly. By applying systematic methods, hazards are reduced instead of managed informally.
Stronger Team Leadership
One of the often-overlooked aspects of SSSTS is its emphasis on leadership. Supervisors learn how to motivate workers to adopt safe practices without resistance. On small sites, where teams are tight-knit, this can create a culture of accountability that extends beyond compliance.
Enhanced Communication
Small teams benefit from open communication. Supervisors trained in toolbox talks and clear instruction methods ensure every worker understands safety expectations. Miscommunication is reduced, leading to fewer incidents caused by confusion or assumption.
Practical Examples of SSSTS in Action
Managing Site Traffic
On a small residential build, there may be limited space for delivery vehicles. An SSSTS-trained supervisor can set up a simple traffic management plan, separating pedestrian walkways from delivery routes, reducing the likelihood of collisions.
Tool and Equipment Safety
When tools are shared on small sites, risks of improper use increase. A supervisor trained under SSSTS can introduce short toolbox talks to reinforce safe usage and ensure defective tools are removed quickly.
Emergency Preparedness
Small sites often assume emergencies are unlikely. An SSSTS-trained supervisor knows the importance of planning escape routes, keeping first aid accessible, and ensuring all staff understand emergency signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
SSSTS stands for Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. It is a recognised course for supervisors in the construction industry.
The course typically lasts two days, covering both classroom learning and practical case studies.
It is designed for site supervisors or those preparing to take on supervisory roles, especially on construction projects.
No, SSSTS training benefits small sites significantly by helping supervisors manage hazards with fewer resources and smaller teams.
The certification is valid for five years, after which a refresher course is required.
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