CITB SMSTS Refresher Course
SMSTS refresher is a two day training course you can use to renew your SMSTS qualification. This course will bring your health and safety knowledge up to date, and also teach you the recent developments in the industry.
This refresher knowledge will give you the latest tools needed to continuously maintain a safety culture in your workplace. Also, you can choose to take the CITB SMSTS refresher course online or in the classroom.
The SMSTS refresher course is only meant for delegates that have attended the five day CITB SMSTS course, and passed it. Therefore, you will need to provide proof of passing the course, and hold a valid SMSTS certificate.
This SMSTS refresher course covers the following topics (for the full list of topics covered in this training, see the dropdown below):
- Health and safety facts, figures and the role of a manager
- Health and safety legal system in the UK
- Risk assessments and risk management
- Various legislation
- Construction hazards and safety signs
Benefits of this SMSTS Refresher:
- Helps you to implement the latest guidelines to your workforce
- Endorsed by BuildUK
- You gain the latest legislative changes and how this affects your workplace.
- Gives you the knowledge to fulfil your responsibilities and empower your workforce.
- CITB Site Safety Plus accredited

SMSTS Refresher course content
The content covered in this course will refresh your knowledge of health and safety and your responsibilities as a Site Manager. It will also update you on any changes with legislation and how that impacts your role.
We will revisit material from previous SMSTS courses, but we also introduce new subjects into the content.
The SMSTS Refresher course will cover:
Day 1
Health and Safety: facts and figures, accident prevention.
Health and Safety and The Manager: types of work, range of activities, the role of a manager, and the results of failing to manage health and safety.
Health and Safety and the legal system in the UK: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASWA), and executing Health and Safety legislation.
Risk assessments and risk management: quantitative/qualitative, assessing risks, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and control measures.
Health and Safety Management Systems: HSG65, the benefits of good health and safety, and Do, Check Act.
Working at Height Regulations 2005: scaffold inspection, safety provisions (ladders, harness, fall arrest), scaffolding types, risk assessments, working at heights hazards.
RIDDOR: reporting injuries and the types of injuries.
First Aid Provision: the HSE recommendations for first aid, first aid equipment, and first aid staff.
Day 2
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015: key regulations changes, the construction phase plan and information on duty holders.
Various legislation: COSHH Regulations; Noise at Work Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Construction hazards: Safety signs, fire safety, confined spaces, excavation.
Occupational health: drugs and alcohol in the workplace and mental health awareness.
Assessment: The tutor will assess the delegates throughout the training. On the final day, you also must present in front of other group members and complete a 25 question examination.
How long is this SMSTS Refresher course?
This is a two-day course delivered over consecutive days. This equates to 17.5 hours of training.
The two days of training is used to update your knowledge on content that you learned on the full SMSTS course previously and educate you on any new changes.
You will spend less time away from work in this course and won’t have to cover the five days of content that you already know.
Why should I take this course?
Anyone with a valid SMSTS certificate, who needs to complete a Refresher before their SMSTS expires, should attend this course.
It is beneficial to attend the Refresher to renew your SMSTS certificate, rather than completing the full five days. This will also result in you spending more time at work.
It is important to keep your health and safety knowledge up to date so that you continue to work safely and in line with current legislation.
CITB SMSTS Refresher entry requirements
Firstly, you would need to bring a copy of your in-date SMSTS Refresher certificate to attend the course.
You cannot attend the Refresher course with an expired SMSTS certificate; you will have to attend the full SMSTS instead.
We also require that you understand, write and speak English well.
The SMSTS Refresher course is highly interactive and requires you to get involved with discussions and activities. Not only do you need to understand the tutor and content fully, but it’s also in the scheme rules.
You must provide a photographic ID and your national insurance number on the first day of the course.
It’s a quick precaution that we take to ensure the correct person is attending the course.
To attend the online SMSTS Refresher course
Lastly, you must have access to a computer or laptop that uses a microphone and webcam. Without the correct equipment, you won’t be able to take part properly or complete the exam within the rules.
Is this course accredited?
Yes, this course is CITB accredited, and part of the Site Safety Plus suite of courses.
When you have completed and passed the course, you will receive an updated SMSTS certificate. The certificate once again will have a lifespan of five years. You will need to re-attend this course before your certificate expires to renew the qualification.
SSP is identified nationwide as a provider of high-level courses for people looking to improve their knowledge in the building, civil engineering, and allied industries.
How is this course delivered?
This course can be delivered via both classroom based or Online / Remote Learning.
Public Classroom Courses
Classroom delivered SMSTS Refresher courses are available as public courses in all of our training venues. This course is delivered by a CITB tutor in a classroom of up to 12 delegates.
Individuals and companies can book spaces on the range of SMSTS refresher courses we have available either over the phone or online via our website.
All of our upcoming Site Manager Safety Training Scheme Refresher are available to view live here.
Remote Learning
Remote learning SMSTS Refresher courses allow delegates to attend their 2-day refresher course from home or the workplace. This removes the effort and cost of travelling to attend a course in a classroom.
These courses are delivered via a virtual classroom on Zoom. To access the course, delegates must join the course using the link provided. However, they will need a computer or laptop with a screen, camera, microphone and access to the internet to attend this course online.
The course content is the same as the classroom course, only delivered by a tutor live over video rather than face-to-face. Delegates will still be able to interact with others during the course and will attend the exam online.
All course materials are accessible; the only difference is that they come in downloadable pdf. Like the classroom course, we have multiple course dates available to book online or over the phone for this course.
In-house Courses
Whether it is in the classroom or remote learning, we can also arrange for the SMSTS Refresher to be delivered as an in-house course specifically for your company. In-company training is a popular option for larger clients.
It can be delivered at a site of their choice, and delegates can interact and discuss company-specific examples during the training. To run an in-house course, we need a minimum of 4 delegates and no more than 12 delegates.
To enquire, fill in our in-house enquiry form on this page; we provide all of our quotes on a case by case basis depending on location, delivery type and delegate numbers.
Is this course CITB Grant claimable?
Yes, companies who are CITB registered can claim for each delegate who successfully pass this course.
You can find the list of short courses and the grant amounts you can claim here: CITB Grant Value for Short Courses
FAQs
Is there a grace period on my expired certificate?
No, once your cert has expired you have to sit the initial 5 day course again, or ask CITB for a certificate extension.
I have lost my certificate, how can I find out the expiry date?
You can go onto the CITB Card Checker and obtain it from there.
Do I have to be a Site Manager to attend this course?
You do not need to be a Site Manager to attend the training, but it is advised that you are working in a relevant role to attend.
How long is the SMSTS certificate valid for?
The SMSTS is valid for five years, and must be renewed through the SMSTS Refresher course before the certificate expires.