The Importance of SMSTS course

SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme and is a course created by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The CITB work with the construction industry to encourage training and to help build a fully qualified workforce. The SMSTS course provides a CITB certificate and is one of the most popular courses in the UK. This article will provide a brief overview of why SMSTS is so important and where to find CPD courses in this area.

What does SMSTS mean?

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is part of the CITB Site Safety Plus (SSP) suite of courses which provide key training across a range of roles within the construction and civil engineering sectors. The SMSTS course is designed for Site Managers or anyone looking to progress to Site Manager – this could include project managers, contracts managers or site supervisors.

The course is typically a 5 day tutor led course that can be undertaken in person or remotely online. The course content will include the following:

• Understanding of all current Health & Safety legislation.
• Understand a manager’s health and safety responsibilities, and inform how to establish a culture of health and safety on site.
• Learn how to build and establish effective communication techniques on site.
• Understanding of risk assessments and principles of prevention.
• Understanding of accident costs, causes, and reporting requirements.

The course ends with a multiple choice assessment. On successful completion of the course, individuals receive a CITB 5 year SMSTS certificate. All 37.5 hours of the course must be attended to complete the course and be eligible for a certificate.

Why is SMSTS so important?

Whilst there is no specific legal requirement to hold an SMSTS certificate, it is generally now considered essential for Site Managers working within the construction industry to have completed the course. Site management is one of the most high-risk areas in construction and completing SMSTS demonstrates responsibility and a serious commitment to achieving health and safety on a construction site.

Increasingly, as well as Site Managers, employers will also look favourably on those in other roles that have completed SMSTS. Therefore, individuals working in construction and civil engineering should see completing SMSTS as a fundamental part of their wider Continuing Professional Developments (CPD).

What are the benefits of undertaking a SMSTS course?

There are many benefits to completing an SMSTS course. For Site Managers or those aspiring to become one, it is effectively a pre-requisite for fulfilling the role and being considered by an employer. It will also be advantageous to anyone working in the construction sector as proof of the highest level of education and understanding in health and safety regulation and process. This will hugely benefit career progression and form a core part of an individual’s overall CPD. This is supported by gaining one of the most highly-respected and regarded qualifications and certificates in the industry.

The SMSTS course also benefits from being specifically tailored to the requirements of being a Site Manager. There are many health and safety courses available, but SMSTS takes a holistic approach, covering all aspects of site management. The course is also relatively short at 5 days in length, and it is possible to complete the course over 5 consecutive days or stagger this at a day a week over 5 consecutive weeks. There is further flexibility offered in that it is possible to participate in either an SMSTS online course or attend in person.

The course also requires a compulsory SMSTS refresher course after 5 years. This means an individual can stay up to date with the latest rules, regulations, and practices and maintain the qualification for a long time. Ultimately, this will require less effort and personal financial investment when compared with doing a different qualification from scratch.

SMSTS also benefits the construction and civil engineering sector as a whole. The more individuals that gain an SMSTS qualification, the greater the safety standards and therefore the commercial viability of the industry.

Where to find SMSTS courses for CPD?

There are a variety of health and safety, construction, and civil engineering related courses and events listed on our CPD Courses Catalogue that will help prepare for, and complement an SMSTS course. There are also many courses listed that are specifically designed and offered by the CITB. If you would like to find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, you can click on each course and there is an enquiry form that will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.

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