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The CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a five day training course designed for site managers who are responsible for the planning, organising, monitoring and controlling of staff.
It’s the UK’s most highly regarded, industry-recognised qualification across the construction sector, demonstrating a commitment to health and safety on site.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at everything the SMSTS course covers over the five days, so you know what to expect before you book.
The SMSTS 5-Day course is popular thanks to its thorough coverage of health and safety topics crucial to the construction industry. Within a span of just five days, the course delves into the key areas including
Each session is designed to make sure that delegates understand how to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios, preparing them to tackle safety challenges effectively and confidently.
At 3B Training, we understand the demanding nature of construction management roles. That’s why the SMSTS 5-Day course is tailored to fit the schedules of working professionals. This intensive format is structured to maximise learning in minimal time by condensing essential knowledge into five days.
We also offer the SMSTS Day Release course, which allows delegates to attend the course for one day a week for five weeks. This is especially beneficial for site managers who cannot take a block of five days away from work due to busy schedules.
The SMSTS 5-Day Course is designed to give site managers the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a safe construction site.
Throughout the SMSTS 5-Day course, participants will engage with a variety of modules, each focused on a critical aspect of construction safety. Let’s take a look at how this content is broken down over the 5 days.
Health and Safety
To begin the course, we’ll give all the facts and figures of Health and Safety, broadly looking at accidents at work and how they can be prevented.
Health and Safety and The Manager
Next, we’ll take a look at the types of work, the range of activities, the role of a manager, leadership styles, and the consequences of failing to manage health and safety.
Health and safety and the legal system in the UK
Day one concludes with health and safety legislation and how to implement it, including:
Day two begins with looking at different scaffolding types, risk assessments, working at heights hazards, scaffold inspection and safety provisions (ladders, harness, fall arrest).
We then cover key regulations changes, the construction phase plan and information on duty holders.
In the third section, you’ll learn about harmful substances, reducing the risk and eye and skin protection.
In this section, we will look at types of injuries and how to report them.
The second day finishes with first aid equipment, first aid staff and the HSE recommendations.
Various Legislation
We start day three with various legislation, including:
Asbestos
You’ll find out what asbestos is, who is at risk and the Asbestos-related diseases.
Waste and Environmental Management
In this section, we cover the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and dealing with construction waste.
Risk Assessments and Risk Management
To finish the day, we look at qualitative/quantitative risks, evaluating risks, and control measures.
We continue to cover various legislation on day four, including:
Construction Hazards
The second section of the day looks at electricity at work, underground and overhead services, excavations, confined spaces and fire precautions.
Occupational Health
Day four closes with wider issues among the construction industry, including drugs and alcohol in the workplace and mental health awareness.
On day 5, your knowledge and understanding of the course will be put to the test. You must display a presentation in front of the other group members and complete a multiple-choice examination.
However, you will also be assessed on your involvement throughout the training and your performance on the four core exercises of the course. The four exercises include:
Achieving the SMSTS certification opens numerous doors for career advancement within the construction industry. It tells employers and peers that you have a serious commitment to health and safety standards, improving your professional credibility.
Additionally, the certification is often a prerequisite for management roles in construction, making it an essential qualification for career progression.
One of the key benefits of the SMSTS 5-Day course is the comprehensive understanding it provides of health and safety laws. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring legal compliance, therefore reducing the risk of legal action against the company or individual.
Additionally, the course teaches effective safety management practices, leading to improved safety performance on site. This not only reduces the risk of accidents and work-related illnesses but also contributes to a more productive and efficient work environment.
By the end of the 5-day course, delegates not only gain a valuable certification but also the confidence to implement best practices in health and safety management, contributing to safer, more compliant construction sites.
The SMSTS 5-Day Course is available in various formats to suit different learning preferences and schedules. Whether you prefer the traditional classroom setting or the convenience of online learning, 3B Training has tailored the course delivery to meet your needs with our online and in-person 5-Day SMSTS courses.
In-person training for the SMSTS course offers a range of benefits that enhance the learning experience:
Online training has become increasingly popular, offering its own set of advantages for participants:
The SMSTS 5-Day Course is designed for a broad range of professionals within the construction industry, including Site Managers, Project Managers, Supervisors and aspiring Site Managers looking to advance their careers.
To complete the 5-day SMSTS course, delegates must have a good understanding of English (both written and spoken) as the course and the examination are conducted in English.
Photographic ID is also required before starting the course to prove your identity.
Booking your SMSTS 5-Day Course through 3B Training is easy. Simply head over to our CITB SMSTS Course Page and scroll down to see our next available course dates.
From here, you should decide whether you wish to attend the course in-person or online. Each option has its benefits, so consider what works best for you or your member of staff.
If you’re opting for in-person training, select a location and date that suits you from the list of available sessions. For online courses, you’ll only need to choose the date.
Click ‘Book’ and enter your details when prompted. You’ll then be taken to our payment page.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need, including the course schedule and any pre-course instructions.
To ensure you get the most out of your SMSTS 5-Day Course, consider the following preparation tips:
Understanding what topics will be covered can help you identify areas where you may need to focus more attention.
Think about any questions or challenges you face in your role which may not be covered in the course. Our trainers are always happy to answer any questions relating to specific examples in your workplace.
If you’re attending online, test your computer, webcam, and internet connection ahead of time to avoid any technical issues during the course.
Companies who are CITB registered can claim for each delegate who successfully passes this course.
The SMSTS exam pass mark is 26/32 (81%). Delegates who do not pass the final assessment but achieve above 72% will be offered a resit on the same day. If you fail the resit, you will need to reattend the SMSTS Course at an additional cost.
Upon successful completion, delegates receive a CITB SMSTS certificate, valid for five years, after which a refresher course is required to maintain certification.
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