SSSTS training - One of the most popular courses in the UK. The advantages explained.

The CITB SSSTS training course is the most popular choice for supervisors and those looking to take on a supervisory role. The CITB SSSTS training course runs over two days.

The aim of SSSTS training course is to provide education to supervisors, or those about to take on this role on risk assessment, measures of control, monitoring procedures, effective communication and how these elements contribute to safe working practices on site. The SSSTS training course is designed to place the supervisors role in context, helping them to understand their responsibilities in relation to their team and their superiors.

Many supervisors later go on to become managers, and often choose to take the longer, five day CITB SMSTS course, as a way of continuing their education.

The delegates will be provided with two CITB books, relating to the topic materials covered in the course. These are usually given out on the first day as it is not necessary to study them before the course starts. They also act as reference materials, for when the course is over, making it easy to check anything you are unsure of. Most providers offer the books in with the course price, but do check beforehand.

While on the course, supervisors will cover the following topics of study: Health and Safety Law, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, how health and safety management systems work and how to set one up, general points on occupational health, fire prevention, assessment of risk, method statements, COSHH, The Construction Design Management Regulations, Working at Heights, PPE, Manual Handling, First aid and accident reporting.

It is important the SSSTS training courses cover legislation as it provides information for supervisors on how to meet the legal requirements placed on them. In addition to this the SSSTS training courses are endorsed by the CITB, as part of their site safety plus scheme. this means that those completing the course can be sure they have achieved a professionally recognised standard of training. In addition to this the CITB SSSTS course is recognised by the UKGC as the course of choice for workers on their sites.

The course is assessed by a short test at the end of the 2 days. The test only takes 30 minutes and is in a multiple choice format. It is based around the previous days learning so those attending the course and putting the effort in have a strong chance of passing.

Supervisors attending the course can expect to understand the difficulties of preserving health and safety whilst working in construction. They will also be able to place their role in the context of the management structure they are working within. They will also be able to present tool box talks, inspect sites and give method statement briefings to the rest of their team.

Those looking to take the supervisor course will be pleased that the CITB have just launched plans to offer an SSSTS refresher course. This means that rather than having to complete the full two day course once their certificate has run out, they can attend a shorted course to refresh their knowledge.