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SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) is a CITB-accredited course designed for construction supervisors and those preparing to step into site management roles.
Whether you’re new to supervising or already leading teams on-site, the SSSTS course gives you the knowledge and confidence to manage health and safety responsibilities effectively.
It’s part of the Site Safety Plus framework, which sets the industry standard for safety training in construction.
In this blog, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about the SSSTS qualification, including what the course involves, who it’s for, how long the certificate lasts, and whether you can run a site with SSSTS.
Ready to start? Explore our SSSTS course and book your place today.
SSSTS stands for Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. It’s one of CITB’s most recognised health and safety courses, forming part of the Site Safety Plus suite. The course was designed to raise the safety standards of site supervisors across the UK.
It helps employers meet their legal obligations and ensures that the people overseeing daily operations understand their responsibilities.
The SSSTS qualification is a formal certificate proving that you’ve completed the training and passed the required assessments. It’s widely recognised across the construction industry and often required by main contractors.
The course covers essential topics including health and safety legislation, site-specific risk assessments, method statements, accident prevention, and more. It prepares you to supervise confidently and competently.
The purpose of SSSTS is simple: to improve site safety through better supervision.
It equips supervisors with the tools to implement safe systems of work, monitor teams effectively, and respond to health and safety concerns in real-time. By understanding their legal duties and how to manage risk, SSSTS-qualified supervisors help reduce incidents and support a culture of safety on-site.
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The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) is designed for those who are currently working as site supervisors or are preparing to step into a supervisory role. It’s ideal for foremen, gang leaders, team leaders, or anyone responsible for overseeing operatives on site.
If you’re supervising teams and need to understand how to monitor site safety, carry out risk assessments, and lead on health and safety matters, the SSSTS qualification is the right next step. The course helps you gain confidence in managing people safely and effectively.
Not quite. The SSSTS course prepares you to support site management, but it doesn’t qualify you to run a construction site independently. That level of responsibility typically requires the SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme), which is a five-day course for full site managers.
However, many main contractors require SSSTS certification for anyone acting in a supervisory role, and it’s often seen as a minimum standard for working safely on-site.
Holding this certificate proves you understand how to supervise workers in line with health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
The SSSTS course covers everything you need to supervise safely and legally on a construction site. Key areas include:
These topics are designed to give you the tools to manage day-to-day safety issues and support a positive health and safety culture on site.
The SSSTS course introduces four safety-critical questions that every supervisor should use to assess site risks:
These questions form the foundation for proactive supervision, helping you identify and manage risks before they lead to accidents or delays.
The SSSTS course runs over two consecutive days, with a total of around 15 hours of guided learning. At 3B Training, we offer flexible delivery options to suit different working patterns. You can take the course:
All formats are CITB-approved and lead to the same recognised SSSTS certificate.
To successfully complete the Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme, you’ll take a multiple-choice exam at the end of the course. The test is designed to check your understanding of the course content and how it applies to real-life site supervision.
You’ll also take part in a trainer review, where your engagement throughout the course is assessed. Participation in group discussions, exercises and case studies all contribute to your final result.
To give yourself the best chance of passing:
Understanding how you learn best, whether that’s visually, verbally or through hands-on examples, can also make a big difference.
You’ll need to score at least 80% in the final assessment to pass the SSSTS course. That usually means correctly answering 24 out of 30 questions.
If you pass the course, you’ll receive a CITB-accredited SSSTS certificate. This certificate is valid for five years and proves you’ve been trained in essential site supervision safety practices.
To maintain your qualification, you’ll need to complete the SSSTS Refresher course before your certificate expires. You can take the refresher from 3B Training either online, in a classroom or in-house with your team.
There are no formal qualifications needed to enrol on the SSSTS course, but you must have a good understanding of spoken and written English.
It also helps to have experience working on construction sites, particularly in or around supervisory roles. The more context you bring, the more you’ll benefit from the discussions and practical examples.
No, you don’t need a CSCS card to attend the SSSTS course. However, most construction sites will expect you to hold a CSCS card for access. So while SSSTS training improves your knowledge, it doesn’t replace the need for a valid CSCS card on site.
SSSTS is not a direct route to gaining a CSCS card, and it won’t allow you to apply for a card on its own. However, it’s often seen as a valuable supporting qualification, especially for supervisory-level applicants.
Holding an SSSTS certificate demonstrates that you understand health and safety responsibilities at a higher level.
Completing the SSSTS qualification can open up a range of roles across the construction industry.
Many learners go on to work as a Site Supervisor, Assistant Site Manager, or even a Site Inspector.
Some use the qualification to move into Health and Safety Coordinator roles, where they can support compliance across multiple sites.
Whether you’re stepping up for the first time or formalising your experience, SSSTS training shows you’re serious about site safety and ready for more responsibility.
Yes, SSSTS is widely recognised across the construction sector. It’s often a minimum requirement for supervisory roles, especially on regulated or high-risk sites.
Employers value the qualification because it demonstrates a solid understanding of site safety legislation, leadership responsibilities, and risk management.
If you’re aiming to move into a SSSTS supervisor position or upskill in your current role, this course is a strong next step.
The SSSTS course costs £285 + VAT, although this may vary depending on location, delivery method, or any in-house arrangements.
At 3B Training, we offer online, classroom, and on-site options to suit your needs. You can view the most up-to-date pricing and book directly through our website or by phone.
Yes, the SSSTS course is CITB Site Safety Plus accredited, and CITB-registered companies can claim grant funding for eligible employees.
To learn more about grant values, visit the CITB short course grant funding page. If you need help with the process, our team can guide you through it.
Yes. You can complete the SSSTS course online via Zoom, delivered live by a qualified trainer. It covers the same content as our classroom version and includes interactive group sessions, digital materials, and a final assessment.
If you don’t pass the final assessment first time, reassessment options are available. Speak to our team and we’ll talk you through your next steps.
SSSTS is aimed at site supervisors, while SMSTS is designed for site managers or those with broader site leadership responsibilities.
SSSTS takes two days to complete, while SMSTS is a more in-depth five-day course. Both are CITB accredited and part of the Site Safety Plus framework.
Take the next step in your construction career by booking your SSSTS training course with 3B.
If you’re unsure whether SSSTS is right for you or your team, contact our friendly team for advice.
We’re a CITB-accredited provider, trusted by thousands of learners across the UK, and we’re here to help you get the most from your training.
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