The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a training programme designed to provide project managers, site managers, supervisors, and business proprietors with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure healthy and safe conditions for construction site employees. The course is part of the Site Safety Plus (SSP) scheme and covers all relevant legislation affecting safe working in the building, construction, and civil engineering industries.

The SMSTS course is 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 programme highlights the need for risk assessment in the workplace, the implementation of necessary control measures, and adequate communication to sustain a health and safety culture within the workforce. It is designed to help managers and supervisors manage and implement health, safety, and environmental aspects on site, implement new guidance and industry best practice, and understand their responsibilities for site health, safety, welfare, and the environment.

Overall, the SMSTS course aims to help supervisors, agents, and managers recognise that a safe site is productive, economical, and efficient. It provides them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be accountable and have an understanding of the responsibilities required for health, safety, and welfare on site. By completing the SMSTS course, participants can ensure that their construction sites meet the highest standards of safety, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, and creating a safer working environment for all employees.

Understanding Site Management Safety Training Scheme

Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a training course designed for construction professionals in the United Kingdom. It equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge required to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. The course is suitable for project managers, site managers, supervisors, business owners, and clients.

SMSTS is a classroom-based course that lasts for five days. It covers a wide range of topics related to health, safety, welfare, and environmental issues on construction sites. The course is delivered by accredited training providers who are approved by CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).

The SMSTS course is designed to help construction professionals manage and implement health, safety, and environmental aspects on site. It also provides them with an understanding of their responsibilities for site health, safety, welfare, and the environment. The course covers various topics, including:

• Health and safety law
• Developing a health and safety management system
• Risk assessments and method statements
• Site set up
• CDM regulations
• Working at height
• Excavations
• Demolition
• Confined spaces
• Accidents and first aid
• Fire prevention and control
• Hazardous substances
• Electrical safety
• Environmental awareness

During the SMSTS course, participants are required to complete a multiple-choice test and a case study exercise. They must achieve a score of at least 80% to pass the course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an SMSTS certificate that is valid for five years.

Overall, the SMSTS course is an essential training programme for construction professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in health and safety management. It provides them with the necessary tools to ensure that construction sites are safe and healthy places to work.

Importance of SMSTS

Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is an essential course for site managers in the UK. This training scheme is designed to help managers understand their responsibilities for site health, safety, welfare, and the environment. SMSTS is a five-day course that covers various aspects of health and safety management, including risk assessment, legal responsibilities, and best practices.

The importance of SMSTS cannot be overstated. The course equips site managers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage and implement health, safety, and environmental aspects on site. It also helps managers understand their legal responsibilities and obligations to provide a safe working environment for their employees and visitors.

SMSTS is not just about legal compliance; it is also about creating a safe and productive working environment. A safe site is efficient, economical, productive, and environmentally friendly. SMSTS helps managers identify and implement industry best practices, which can lead to improved productivity, reduced accidents, and a better working environment.

By completing SMSTS, site managers can demonstrate their commitment to health and safety and their ability to manage and implement best practices. This can help them stand out in a competitive job market and enhance their career prospects.

In summary, SMSTS is an essential course for site managers in the UK. It provides managers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage and implement health, safety, and environmental aspects on site. By completing SMSTS, managers can demonstrate their commitment to health and safety and enhance their career prospects.

Course Structure

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a five-day course designed for project managers, site managers, supervisors, business proprietors, and client-based personnel. The course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to ensure healthy and safe conditions for construction site employees [1].

The course covers all relevant legislation affecting safe working in the building, construction, and civil engineering industries. It highlights the need for risk assessment in the workplace, the implementation of the necessary control measures, and adequate communication to sustain a health and safety culture within the workforce [1].

The course is divided into five core modules, each covering a specific area of health and safety management. The modules are as follows:

1. Health and Safety Law
2. Developing a Health and Safety Management System
3. Risk Assessment and Control
4. Monitoring, Review and Audit
5. Effective Communication

During the course, participants will learn about the legal requirements for health and safety in the workplace, the importance of developing a health and safety management system, and how to conduct risk assessments and implement control measures. They will also learn how to monitor, review, and audit health and safety performance and how to communicate effectively with stakeholders [2].

The course is delivered through a combination of classroom-based learning, group discussions, case studies, and practical exercises. Participants will be assessed through a multiple-choice test at the end of the course [1].

Overall, the SMSTS course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of health and safety management in the construction industry. It equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that construction sites are safe, healthy, and compliant with relevant legislation [1].

[1] Pearson TQ. (2023). Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS). Retrieved from https://www.pearson.com/uk/web/pearsontq/construction-academy/site-safety-training/smsts.html

[2] CITB. (2023). Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS and SMSTS-R). Retrieved from https://www.citb.co.uk/standards-and-delivering-training/site-safety-plus-ssp/courses-available/site-management-safety-training-scheme/

Course Content

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course covers a wide range of topics related to health and safety in the construction industry. The course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to manage safety on construction sites in accordance with current legal provisions.

Health and Safety at Work Act

The Health and Safety at Work Act is a key component of the SMSTS course. Participants will learn about the legal requirements for ensuring the health and safety of workers on construction sites. This includes understanding the roles and responsibilities of employers, employees, and site managers in relation to health and safety.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are an essential part of managing safety on construction sites. Participants will learn how to conduct risk assessments and identify hazards in the workplace. They will also learn how to implement control measures to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Method Statements

Method statements are documents that outline how specific tasks will be carried out on a construction site. Participants will learn how to prepare method statements that comply with current legislation and industry best practices. They will also learn how to communicate method statements effectively to workers on site.

Site Set Up

The SMSTS course also covers site set up, including the importance of planning and preparing for a construction project. Participants will learn about the legal requirements for site set up, including the need for site inductions, welfare facilities, and emergency procedures. They will also learn how to manage traffic on site and ensure that construction work does not impact on neighbouring properties.

Overall, the SMSTS course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of health and safety in the construction industry. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge and skills they need to manage safety on construction sites and ensure the health and wellbeing of workers.

Benefits of SMSTS

For Individuals

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is a valuable qualification that provides numerous benefits for individuals working in the construction industry. Some of the key benefits of SMSTS for individuals are:

• Improved knowledge and skills: The SMSTS course covers a wide range of topics related to health, safety, and welfare on construction sites. By completing the course, individuals can improve their knowledge and skills in these areas, which can help them to perform their job more effectively and safely.

• Increased employability: Many construction companies require their employees to hold an SMSTS certificate. By obtaining this qualification, individuals can increase their employability and job prospects within the industry.

• Personal development: The SMSTS course is designed to help individuals develop their social, moral, and legal responsibilities regarding health, safety, and welfare on construction sites. By completing the course, individuals can enhance their personal development and become more responsible and conscientious workers.

For Organisations

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) is also beneficial for construction companies and organisations. Some of the key benefits of SMSTS for organisations are:

• Improved health and safety: By ensuring that their employees hold SMSTS certificates, construction companies can improve health and safety on their sites. This can help to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and create a safer working environment for everyone.

• Legal compliance: The SMSTS course covers the legal responsibilities of site managers and supervisors regarding health, safety, and welfare on construction sites. By ensuring that their employees are trained in these areas, construction companies can ensure that they are complying with relevant legislation and regulations.

• Increased productivity: By improving health and safety on their sites, construction companies can also increase productivity. This is because a safe working environment can help to reduce downtime, accidents, and delays, and ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.

In summary, the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) provides numerous benefits for both individuals and organisations in the construction industry. By completing the course and obtaining an SMSTS certificate, individuals can improve their knowledge and skills, increase their employability, and enhance their personal development. For organisations, SMSTS can help to improve health and safety, ensure legal compliance, and increase productivity.

Certification and Renewal

To obtain a Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certification, one must successfully complete the five-day training course and pass the final examination. The certification is an indication of the competence of a construction site manager according to the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).

The certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by attending a two-day refresher course before the expiry date. The refresher course covers updates on legislation, best practices, and new developments in the construction industry.

It is important to note that if the certification expires, the individual will need to retake the full five-day course to obtain a new certification. Therefore, it is recommended to attend the refresher course and renew the certification before it expires.

The certificate is issued digitally and sent to the booker of the course within 28 working days of the end of the course. The certificate includes the name of the individual, the course title, the date of issue, the expiry date, and the CITB logo.

It is important to keep the certificate safe and accessible as it may be required for site access and for demonstrating compliance with health and safety regulations. If the certificate is lost or damaged, a replacement can be requested from the CITB for a fee.