SSSTS and SMSTS are the two best-known CITB Site Safety Plus courses, and people often mix them up. This guide explains who each one is for, how long each takes, what they cover, how renewals work and how to decide which one fits your role.
If you work on a UK construction site and are responsible for other people, someone has probably told you to “get your SSSTS” or “get your SMSTS”. Both come from CITB’s Site Safety Plus scheme, and both are widely requested on sites. They are not interchangeable, though. Booking the wrong one costs you time and money, so here is how they differ.
Both teach legal responsibilities for health, safety, welfare and the environment. The difference is the level of responsibility they prepare you for.
SSSTS is a two-day course for people who supervise others on site, or are about to. It covers the Health and Safety at Work Act, the issues supervisors face every day, effective toolbox talks, supervision of occupational health and behavioural safety. Expect some self-study outside the classroom hours. Assessment includes an exam, and you receive a Site Safety Plus certificate when you pass.
Build UK, the industry body for major contractors, recognises SSSTS as meeting the required standard for supervisors on Build UK sites. Many principal contractors ask for it before supervisors start work.
SMSTS is a five-day course aimed at project managers, site managers and supervisors, as well as business owners and clients. To earn the certificate you must attend the full 37.5 hours. The content goes broader and deeper: the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, risk assessments and method statements, behavioural safety, management of occupational health, electricity and excavations.
| SSSTS | SMSTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Aimed at | Supervisors, foremen, team leaders | Site managers, project managers, senior staff |
| Duration | 2 days | 5 days (37.5 hours) |
| Focus | Day-to-day supervision and communicating safety on site | Planning, managing and controlling safety across the whole site |
| Certificate validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Refresher | 1 day | 2 days (15 hours) |
Think about your responsibility on site.
Two points often cause confusion:
Because requirements vary, the safest approach is to ask your employer or the principal contractor which certificate they expect for your role before you book.
Both certificates are valid for five years. To renew, you take a refresher: one day for SSSTS and two days for SMSTS. The catch is that the refresher is only open to people whose certificate is still valid. If it lapses, even by a day, you have to retake the full course, two days for SSSTS or five for SMSTS. Providers advise booking the refresher several months before expiry so a cancelled date doesn’t leave you exposed.
Providers typically ask for photo ID and a good understanding of spoken and written English, and you must attend every hour of the course. Both courses can be taken in the classroom or live online, so check which format suits your work. Whichever you choose, confirm that the provider is approved by CITB (see our guide to choosing a CITB training provider), and check funding eligibility directly with CITB, as the rules have changed recently.
Passing the course is only the first step. Holding the right certificate, knowing when it expires and keeping site records tidy is an ongoing job. A digital assistant such as KaelSite can help supervisors and managers keep that admin under control.
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