What is SMSTS?
The CITB SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) course is a five-day health and safety training course designed for site managers. This course covers a wide range of topics from site security to health and safety risk management. At Lighthouse we offer the 5 day course as a block week (all 5 days in one go, or a day release (1 day a week for 5 weeks).
Upon completion of the course, candidates will be able to safely manage construction sites and protect workers from potential hazards.
What is the purpose of SMSTS training?
Ensuring worker safety on construction sites requires health and safety practices from top to bottom. This means that not only workers but also those who organise them need to understand proper health and safety practices. Workers should not be put at risk of injury or death because management did not provide a safe environment. SMSTS training provides site managers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their sites safely and effectively. This course covers a wide range of topics including health and safety law, risk assessment and management, incident investigation and control, working with contractors, and managing site operations.
Who is required to complete SMSTS training?
The SMSTS course is for site managers, or more generally those responsible for planning, organising, supervising, directing and managing workers on site. If you want to become a site manager, you must complete SMSTS training. This course covers a wide range of topics related to construction site health and safety. Once complete, you will be able to manage your site safely and compliantly.
How long does it take to get the SMSTS certification?
The course last 5 days which includes the examination. Once passed CITB will issue you your certificate. Once you earn your SMSTS certification, your certification is valid for five years. To maintain your certificate, you can complete a short (2 day) refresher course anytime before your certificate expires. If you do not complete your refresher before the expiration date, your SMSTS certification will be lost and you will have to retake the entire course to regain it. We regularly run the SMSTS Refresher training at our training centres in Kent and London.
What are the key topics covered in the SMSTS course?
The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course provides in-depth training on a variety of health and safety issues relevant to site managers . The main topics covered in the SMSTS course are:
– Health and safety law and how it applies to supervisors
– Monitoring site activities effectively
– Risk assessments and the need for method statements
– Your supervisory responsibilities in controlling site safely
– Effective site inductions, toolbox talks and method statement briefings
– Timely intervention when bad practice is identified
Is SMSTS Mandatory?
There is no legal requirement for a site manager to obtain their SMSTS certification. However, most job sites without SMSTS qualifications will not hire (or promote) site managers.
Do you only need SMSTS to be a site manager?
No, you also need a Site Manager CSCS Black Card to become a Site Manager. Without this additional qualification, most employers will not consider site managers. To get the CSCS black card, you must complete the relevant level 6 or 7 NVQ. Additionally you must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environmental Test.
How do I take the SMSTS course?
We offer the SMSTS course in person as it enables discussion and addresses questions more easily. Courses are run regularly in Kent and London, or we can come to your own premises. You can easily book online. Check out our SMSTS course page or alternatively call 01634 260631.
You should now have a good understanding of what the CITB SMSTS course is and why it is important. You should also know what to expect from the training and with this information, you will be well on your way to becoming a qualified construction manager.
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