The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is one of our most popular online courses, and not without reason. As well as being required to supervise many UK construction sites—including all Build UK sites—SSSTS is a great way to familiarise yourself with the health & safety laws and techniques you need to know to work safely.
Because of this, we’ve put together a simple FAQ covering the SSSTS questions we hear most often. Read on to learn about the SSSTS course and qualification—or visit our SSSTS online course page if you’re ready to start learning with our expert instructors.
What is SSSTS? What does SSSTS stand for?
SSSTS stands for the Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. The SSSTS is a qualification that demonstrates you have the knowledge to safely and effectively carry out the duties of a site supervisor.
SSSTS is a safety-focussed course. As well as teaching you your legal responsibilities as a site supervisor, you’ll also learn how to keep people safe on site, how to maintain their welfare, and how to protect the environment around you.
Through learning this information, you’ll then be able to apply it to carry out risk assessments, implement control measures, and build a culture of safe work. This is why SSSTS is an industry standard for site supervisors across the UK.
What does SSSTS cover? What does the SSSTS course involve?
During the two-day SSSTS course, candidates learn all of the relevant factors affecting health & safety on construction sites, as well as factors influencing general welfare, mental wellbeing, and environmental issues.
The object of the SSSTS course is not only to keep yourself and colleagues safe on site, but also to make sure you are meeting your legal responsibilities by implementing the right health and safety measures.
Suitable for anyone in the building, construction & civil engineering industries, you’ll learn everything you need to undertake qualified risk assessments, identify hazards, implement control measures to reduce risks, and improve the health & safety culture on site.
The end goal of SSSTS training is not just to teach you the dry facts about safety law, but how to communicate better. By the end, you’ll be able to use your position as a site supervisor to improve other people’s behaviour through a range of practical methods, such as toolbox talks, inductions, method statements, observation, and interventions.
Can you run a site with SSSTS?
Yes, you can run a site with an SSSTS qualification. All supervisors on Build UK sites are required to have an SSSTS certificate, and it’s a standard for many other site supervisors.
If you’re looking to progress to managing a site, we also offer the Site Manager Safety Training Scheme course (SMSTS).
How long does SSSTS last?
An SSSTS certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. You can reset this by taking a 1-day refresher course (SSSTS-R) at least once every five years.
How many people can you supervise with SSSTS?
There is no specific limit on how many people you can supervise with an SSSTS certificate. As with most things in UK safety law, you must take reasonable steps to ensure people remain safe on site. If an accident happens and you are deemed to have been supervising an unsafe number of people, you could be held liable.
A rule of thumb is that one supervisor should never be responsible for more than 25 people, with any more than this requiring site manager (SMSTS) training. Site managers have specific training on how to manage large numbers of people, including methods for monitoring, organising and administering workers on site.
How do I get my SSSTS card?
Completing the SSSTS course gives you a certificate that proves your competency in site supervision from a health and safety perspective. However, you do not get a card for completing SSSTS training. This is often mixed up with the CSCS gold card, which requires you to complete a range of other practical examinations listed below.
Can I get a gold CSCS card with SSSTS?
SSSTS is one step on the path to getting a CSCS gold card, but it’s not the only requirement. You must also have passed the CITB Health, Safety & Environment (CITB HS&E) test, hold a level 3 or above NVQ (e.g. the NVQ Level 4 Diploma in Construction Site Supervision), and be able to evidence at least two years’ experience in construction.
Can you do the SSSTS course online?
Yes! We offer online SSSTS training through Zoom. You’ll receive quality tuition from our expert trainers in a digital classroom setting, where you can ask questions and interact with other learners. Click here to visit our SSSTS online course page and learn more.
How do I check my SSSTS certificate?
CITB operates an online card checker tool where you can validate someone’s membership and exam history.
The tool requires at least two pieces of personal information, one of which must include your individual ID, registration number, CITB Test ID, or national insurance number. Information is not available for under-16s, and temporary national insurance numbers are not accepted.
What are the 4 safety critical questions in SSSTS?
The 4 safety critical questions in the SSSTS exam are ones you have to get right. If you fail these questions, you will fail the exam, no matter how well you score on the rest of the test.
This is because these questions are fundamental to understanding and executing the role of a site supervisor. If you do not get these questions right, you are demonstrating a lack of critical safety knowledge, and cannot be considered to be fully trained in SSSTS.
The specific 4 safety critical questions in SSSTS will differ from exam to exam, with no two sets of questions being alike. However, they will generally relate to the key legal frameworks you will be responsible for implementing on site, as well as fundamental aspects of construction safety, such as working at height.
What CSCS card can I get with SSSTS?
You cannot get a CSCS card with an SSSTS qualification by itself. While SSSTS is important, it only teaches you how to safely supervise a site, while a CSCS card reflects your practical construction skills and knowledge.
SSSTS is often a requirement for becoming a site supervisor, along with holding a Gold CSCS card. However, you will also need a nationally recognised qualification in your field (e.g. Site Supervision Level 4 NVQ in Residential Development) to apply for a Gold card.
How do I get a copy of my SSSTS certificate?
If you’ve lost your SSSTS certificate, you may be able to acquire one from the training centre where you completed your SSSTS training. You’ll need to get in touch with them to verify your identity and training details, and may also have to pay a small administrative fee to receive a new copy of your certificate.
What is better: SMSTS or SSSTS?
The Site Manager Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is more advanced than the Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS). However, which one is better really depends on what you are looking to accomplish. If your main goal is to become a site supervisor, then an SSSTS course will let you achieve that with shorter and cheaper training.
SMSTS is a great option for established site supervisors who are looking to expand their site safety knowledge, or who have aspirations to move up the ladder and become site managers. While there is nothing stopping you from completing SMSTS before SSSTS, and it will generally be accepted as proof of SSSTS competency, it isn’t necessary in most cases.
How much is an SSSTS course?
Our SSSTS online course is currently priced at £200 + VAT for the two-day course. This is undertaken entirely online with our expert trainers using the Zoom video conferencing app.
We regularly undertake these on consecutive weekdays, but can also provide weekend training on request. To discuss booking options, don’t hesitate to get in touch.