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What Does SMSTS Stand For?

SMSTS is an acronym which stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. We offer the SMSTS course online and in-person.

What is the Site Management Safety Training Scheme?

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme was created by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to establish a clear industry-wide standard for the management of health and safety on construction sites. The SMSTS course is part of the Site Safety Plus (SSP) scheme and covers all relevant legislation.

Who is SMSTS Training Suitable For?

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is suitable for individuals who are in a position of responsibility within the construction industry. The training is targeted at construction workers such as site managers, supervisors, proprietors of construction companies and project managers.

BuildUK approves the SMSTS qualification as the standard for all construction and project managers. Certification is an indication of the competence of a construction site manager according to the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for the CDM Regulations.

What’s Included in the SMSTS Course?

The main focus of the SMSTS course is risk assessment. The syllabus focuses on learning how to work and manage following the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA).

Course Topics

Topics included in the Site Management Safety Training Scheme are planning, organising, monitoring, controlling and administering the following:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA)
  • CDM Regulations
  • Risk Assessments
  • Method Statements
  • Scaffolding
  • Excavations
  • Scaffolding
  • Demolition
  • Confined Spaces
  • Site Set Up

CITB Site Safety Plus Publications. & Workbooks

SMSTS courses include access to the ‘Construction Site Safety – The Comprehensive Guide (GE700)’ and ‘Construction Site Management Delegate Workbook (XA6-V11)’. Dependent upon which CITB accredited training provider delivers the course, you will be given the option of taking away training course materials in hard copy, CD or access to materials online. We’ll confirm this in your course joining instructions.

If you would like to check if hard copy CITB Site Safety Plus Publications are included in the cost of your chosen course, please call us on 0808 1966 830.

CITB SMSTS Certification

The CITB SMSTS certificate is an indication of the competence of a construction site manager according to the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for the CDM Regulations. Your site managers certification is included in the course fees if you pass the CITB exam. Your hard-copy SMSTS certificate will be issued within six to eight weeks, and will be valid for five years.

E-certificate

It will take approximately 2-3 weeks for the CITB to issue an E-Certificate.

Prerequisites

  • Photographic I.D.
  • Written parental consent will be required if you are under eighteen years of age.
  • A good understanding of written and spoken English. (Translators are not permitted to attend).

2-Day SMSTS Refresher Training

Your SMSTS certificate lasts for 5 years, you will need to refresh your qualification by attending a SMSTS Refresher course which is two-days in duration.

Prior Studying

Prior studying is not required to attend the SMSTS, however the basic 1-day CITB health and safety awareness course and the SSSTS – Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme provide a good foundation and understanding of health and safety on construction sites.

Further Studying

If you would like to study further after gaining your SMSTS qualification, consider completing the NEBOSH Construction Certificate or a related Construction NVQ.

SMSTS Courses Near Me

Find, compare and book SMSTS courses in the UK near you. Alternatively, attend in-person in a classroom setting or study online in virtual learning format.

Most Popular Training Locations

View the entire list of SMSTS courses in the UK.

Related Content

Can You Do the SMSTS Course Online?

Yes, you can attend the SMSTS course online via video conferencing (virtual/remote learning). You can study the Site Management Safety Training Scheme online from anywhere as long as you have a reliable broadband internet connection and a modern PC or laptop that uses a microphone and webcam.

Course Dates and Fees

View all virtual SMSTS online course dates and fees

What’s Included in the Online SMSTS Course?

The online SMSTS course is delivered remotely using video technology and is led by a live instructor. Online training follows the same curriculum as the in-person (classroom) course and delivers the same standard of training while meeting all CITB scheme rules.

Key Features

  • Study online using a modern PC or laptop that uses a microphone and webcam.
  • Takes place in your own home or at work
  • Led by a live instructor
  • Training takes place over 5-days—approximately 37.5 hours
  • Follows the same curriculum as the SMSTS in-person (classroom) course
  • Delivers the same standard of training and meets all CITB scheme rules
  • Reduced cost due to significantly lower course overheads e.g. no venue hire or instructor travel & hotel expenses
  • Minimum number of attendees is reduced to two
  • Maximum number of delegates allowed to attend will be ten.
  • Alternative exam method
  • Attend the 2-day SMSTS Refresher after 5 years

Comparing the SMSTS Online vs. In-person

The SMSTS course is typically delivered in an in-person format, but it is also available online. In-person SMSTS courses are typically conducted at a training centre or other location, and they involve a combination of lectures, group discussions, and practical exercises. Online SMSTS courses, on the other hand, are delivered entirely over the internet and typically involve video lectures and interactive activities.

Both in-person and online SMSTS courses cover the same material and are designed to meet the same learning objectives. However, the delivery format may differ, and some people may prefer one format over the other.

It’s worth noting that both in-person and online SMSTS courses require a significant time commitment and involve a final assessment in order to be completed. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a SMSTS certificate, which is valid for five years.

SMSTS Online (Instructor-led)

  • Study remotely over the internet using an up-to-date PC, laptop or other suitable device
  • Takes place in your own home or at work and is led by a live instructor.
  • Takes place over 5-days – approximately 37.5 hours of training.
  • Covers the same content as classroom training.
  • Cheaper due to zero venue costs, reduced instructor travel and expenses etc.

SMSTS In-person (Traditional Classroom)

  • Study in a traditional classroom environment.
  • Scheduled regularly in towns & cities throughout the UK.
  • Delivered at dedicated training centres, hotels & other suitable venues.
  • Takes place over 5-days – approximately 37.5 hours of training.
  • More expensive than online courses due to venue hire, instructor travel costs and other associated costs.

Find, compare and book SMSTS courses in the UK near you. Attend in-person in a classroom setting or study online.

Prerequisites

  • I.D. will be checked prior to the CITB exam commencing
  • You must show the invigilator that you are alone in the room
  • You must be visible via the video at all times
  • You must not use any reference material until the last 10 minutes of the exam, which is an open book session.

Reasons to take the SMSTS Course Online

The remote online SMSTS course provides you with the option to study at work or in the comfort of your own home. Online training provides you with a more convenient and cheaper way to acquire your CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme qualification.

Below are a few reasons why it is crucial to have a good knowledge base through achieving the site managers qualification:

  1. Correct health and safety procedures can help you to avoid an accident at work that could have serious negative consequences such as injury, illness or death. Read our post on health and safety procedures – the biggest mistakes managers make
  2. Avoid expensive legal fees and fines – you’ll be covered for liability if an accident does occur
  3. Accidents, damage, work absences and downtime can have a negative effect on company profits, proper health and safety training will help you to avoid this
  4. Workplace accidents will undoubtedly have a negative effect on your reputation. This will make it more difficult to hire great talent and to build relationships with other companies. No one will want to work with you or work for you if you are seen to be carrying out your operations in an unsafe way.
  5. Employee morale can be negatively affected by lack of health and safety training. When things are unsafe and dangerous, your employees will believe that you don’t care about their well-being. When you invest in their safety, you are showing them that you care.