What’s the Purpose of the SSSTS Online Course?
In the construction industry, effective leadership is crucial at every level, especially considering the inherently high-risk nature of the sector. And while site managers are in charge of projects in a broader sense, site supervisors are responsible for directly managing teams, and ensuring daily operations are conducted in as safe, and as efficient, a manner as possible. The purpose of the SSSTS online course is to give supervisors the right health and safety knowledge for this job.
In today’s blog, we’ll be breaking down all you need to know about the course, including the content covered, the benefits of the training for employers, the most common hazards on construction sites, and more.
Why Site Supervisors Need Safety Training
Site supervisors are the link between management’s strategic health and safety plans, and their practical implementation on the ground. They are responsible for communicating safety briefings, identifying immediate hazards, and ensuring their teams adhere to safe working practices every single day. Without adequate safety training, supervisors could inadvertently expose themselves and their teams to unnecessary risks, leading to accidents, injuries, and costly project delays. Their direct influence on the workforce makes their safety knowledge and leadership abilities absolutely critical for maintaining a compliant, and secure, construction site.
What Does the SSSTS Online Course Cover?
The SSSTS provides a comprehensive and practical overview of health, safety, welfare, and environmental issues relevant to construction supervisors. It delves into the legal responsibilities supervisors hold under UK health and safety legislation, including a detailed examination of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015. Some of the key topics include understanding risk assessments and method statements, the importance of site inductions, effective toolbox talks, and the management of common site hazards such as working at height, excavations, and hazardous substances.
Legal Responsibilities on a Construction Site
Every worker on a construction site has legal responsibilities in regards to health and safety. But when you’re in a supervisor role, you have an even greater responsibility, and the SSSTS outlines these obligations in great detail. Throughout the course, candidates learn about their duty to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate health and safety on-site, ensuring that risks are minimised.
Who Should Take the SSSTS Online Course?
The SSSTS is designed for construction professionals who are currently, or are about to become, supervisors on a construction site. While foundational construction experience is beneficial, the course itself is focused on equipping individuals with supervisory health and safety knowledge rather than teaching basic trade skills. It serves as a recognised qualification for those looking to progress into leadership roles within the construction industry.
The Role of a Site Supervisor in Health & Safety
The site supervisor’s role in health and safety is hands-on and immediate. They are the individuals who translate safety policies into daily actions, ensuring that work crews are aware of risks and follow safe procedures. This involves conducting daily briefings, identifying and rectifying unsafe conditions, issuing permits to work, and ensuring correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The supervisor is often the first point of contact for workers with safety concerns, and is responsible for reporting incidents and near misses. Their proactive engagement and leadership are critical in preventing accidents, and fostering a robust safety culture, directly contributing to the well-being of the workforce.
Benefits of the SSSTS Online Course for Employers
The SSSTS offers a number of tangible benefits for construction employers. Firstly, it ensures their supervisory staff are fully competent and compliant with current health and safety legislation, significantly reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and costly legal penalties. This proactive approach to safety directly leads to fewer disruptions, and improved project timelines.
Having SSSTS-qualified supervisors enhances a company’s reputation for professionalism and commitment to safety, which can be a competitive advantage when tendering for new projects. Also, the flexibility of the option of the online format means less disruption to site operations, as supervisors can complete the training without extensive time away from their roles.
Common Hazards and How to Manage Them
The course provides specific guidance on identifying and managing the most common hazards that tend to be encountered on construction sites. There are, naturally, a lot of these. To name just a few: the risk of falling while working at height, the risk of collapse while working in excavations, and risks associated with electricity, hazardous substances, fire safety, and manual handling.
How the SSSTS Online Course Helps Prevent Accidents
By systematically educating supervisors on hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of effective control measures, the SSSTS equips them to proactively mitigate dangers before they lead to incidents. Supervisors learn how to effectively communicate safety information through toolbox talks and site inductions, ensuring all workers understand risks and safe working procedures. The emphasis on legal responsibilities instills a clear understanding of accountability, promoting a more diligent approach to safety.
Building a Culture of Safety on Site
Beyond technical knowledge, a core purpose of the course is to empower supervisors to build a robust culture of safety on site. Safety culture isn’t just about rules; it’s about shared values, attitudes, and behaviours. Supervisors, being closest to the workforce, have a great deal of influence. The course teaches them how to lead by example, encourage open communication about hazards, promote a “near-miss” reporting culture, and ensure that safety is seen as an integral part of daily work, not an add-on. By understanding the human factors in safety and applying effective leadership, SSSTS-qualified supervisors can inspire their teams to prioritise safety, leading to a proactive and preventative safety culture across the site.
Is the SSSTS Online Course Recognised by CITB?
The SSSTS is fully recognised and approved by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). CITB is the industry training board for the UK construction sector, and it sets the standards for these qualifications. When you complete an SSSTS through an approved provider like CST Training, you will receive the same official CITB-endorsed certificate as someone who completes the course in a traditional classroom setting. This recognition ensures that the qualification is valid and highly respected across the entire UK construction industry, making it a reliable credential for anyone in a supervisory role.
What to Expect from the Assessment Process
The assessment for the SSSTS is designed to confirm your understanding and ability to apply the course content. Typically, the assessment is continuous throughout the course, based on your participation in interactive exercises, group discussions, and short tests. There is usually a final multiple-choice examination which delegates must pass to achieve the qualification.
Can the SSSTS Online Course Be Completed Remotely?
Yes, the SSSTS can be completed entirely remotely. You’ll participate in live, interactive sessions from home. All course materials are typically provided digitally, and assessments are conducted online. The remote delivery option provides a great deal of flexibility, eliminating the need for travel and accommodating diverse schedules, making the essential safety training accessible to supervisors across the country, regardless of their physical location.
Improving Communication and Leadership on Site
The course doesn’t just focus on technical safety knowledge; it equips supervisors with the tools to effectively deliver toolbox talks, conduct site inductions, and communicate safety-critical information clearly to their teams. By understanding how to present information, manage discussions, and respond to concerns, supervisors become more confident and impactful leaders. This improved communication fosters a more engaged workforce, where safety messages are better received and acted upon, ultimately leading to a more collaborative and safer working environment.
How Long Does the SSSTS Online Course Take?
The course is typically delivered over two days. This structure allows for a focused and immersive learning experience, covering all essential health and safety topics relevant to site supervision within a concise timeframe. Even if candidates are taking the course online, they’ll need to commit fully to the live online sessions for the duration of these two days, as active participation is a key component of the learning and assessment process.
Why the Right Training Makes All the Difference
Investing in the right training, like the SSSTS, makes all the difference in a supervisor’s career and the overall safety of construction projects. It transforms informal experience into formal, recognised competence. This certification not only enhances a supervisor’s credibility and employability, but also directly contributes to a safer working environment by ensuring they have the most current knowledge and skills to manage risks effectively. The right training empowers supervisors to lead with confidence, make informed decisions, and actively contribute to building a stronger, safer construction industry for everyone.
Conclusion: What’s the Purpose of the SSSTS Online Course?
The primary purpose of the SSSTS is to empower construction site supervisors with essential, up-to-date health, safety, welfare, and environmental knowledge. It directly addresses the critical need for effective safety leadership at the operational level, ensuring compliance with legal responsibilities and fostering a proactive safety culture on construction sites.
Beyond mere certification, the course aims to prevent accidents, enhance communication, and build a more competent and safety-conscious supervisory workforce. The flexible online option makes this vital training accessible to supervisors across the UK, ensuring that geographical location is no longer a barrier to professional development.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
