CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)

SMSTS Course Aims

The course aims to help site managers to:

• manage and implement health, safety and environmental aspects on site, in accordance with current legal provisions and within the context of their management role
• implement new guidance and industry best practice
• develop an understanding of responsibility and accountability for site health, safety, welfare and the environment
• recognise that a safe site is efficient, economical, productive and environmentally friendly.

At the end of the period of training, delegates will be aware of, and able to implement or state:

• all health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation which affects them during their daily work
• new guidance and industry best practice
• their duties and responsibilities with regards to health, safety, welfare and the environment.

SMSTS Course Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, however, delegates should hold, or be about to hold, the role of a site manager. Previous health and safety knowledge is recommended. Those without previous health and safety management experience are recommended to sit the two-day SSSTS course. Delegates must be competent in written and spoken English necessary for operating efficiently at site management level.

Learner Numbers

The minimum number of delegates per course is 4.  The maximum number of delegates per course is 20.  These are stipulated by the awarding body and are not subject to appeal.

Assessment

Assessment will by an exam paper and the completion of core exercises and a case study. The examination demonstrates to external bodies that the certificate is only awarded to successful delegates following both an assessment and examination. Delegates are expected to be interactive during the course.

Exam Details

The examination paper is compulsory and consists of 25 questions, selected by CITB, covering all aspects of the course.

The examination pass mark is 81% (26 out of 32).

The paper consists of 18 multiple choice questions and 7 questions in multi-response or short written answer format. 

The exam paper forms part of the overall assessment as to whether or not the delegate has successfully achieved the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certificate, and demonstrated both knowledge of the relevant statutory provisions and the application of management, in respect of health and safety issues.

The examination lasts for 35 minutes and must be completed within this time.

Delegates are permitted to use the Construction site safety (GE 700) publication and the XA6 course notes for the last fifteen minutes of the examination period.

Re-sits Procedure

Where a delegate has completed the four core exercises and the trainer’s review, and gained between 72%-78% (23, 24 or 25 out of 32) in the examination, then they may re-sit the examination.  This can either be on the same day or be resitting the exam by attending another course on the final day within a 90 day period (the delegate is not obliged to re-do the course).

The training provider must make arrangements with the delegate and ensure that the dedicated re-sit examination paper is used.

Subsequent arrangements will be at the delegate’s own expense.

Should a delegate fail the re-sit, they will be offered to take the SMSTS course again.

When a delegate scores less than 69% (22 correct answers out of 32) in the final examination, the delegate must attend the full SMSTS course again before they are allowed to re-sit the examination.

You will receive a CITB SMSTS digital PDF Certificate valid for 5 years.

To ensure you keep your qualification valid, you must attend the 2 day SMSTS Refresher course before the expiry date of your SMSTS certificate (there is no grace period available).

CITB Online Card Checker

https://www.citb.co.uk/cards-testing/online-card-checker/

CITB Site Safety Plus certificates awarded will be visible on the online card checker once the course paperwork has been processed.

Course Publications

Construction Site Safety                GE700                                     mandatory

SMSTS delegate workbook            XA6                                        mandatory

Programme

Module 1

• Health and safety law
• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
• Health and safety policies
• Risk assessments and method statements
• Induction and training
• Effective communication
• Leaderships and worker engagement
• Inspection and audit
• Statutory forms, notices and registers
• Accident prevention, control, reporting and investigation

Module 2

• Management of health
• Welfare facilities
• Stress and mental health at work
• Drugs and alcohol
• Control of substances hazardous to health
• Lead
• Asbestos
• Dust and fumes
• Noise
• Vibration
• Manual handling

Module 3

• Site organisation
• Fire prevention and control. Dangerous substances
• Electrical safety
• Temporary works
• Plant and work equipment
• Mobile plant and vehicles
• Lifting operations and equipment
• Mobile workforce and driver safety

Module 4

• Work at Height Regulations
• Safe working at height
• Common access equipment
• Scaffolding
• Fall arrest and suspension equipment
• Excavations
• Underground and overhead services
• Confined spaces