SSSTS Study Guide

What is the current SSSTS course?

CITB describes SSSTS as a two-day Site Safety Plus course for people who hold or are about to hold supervisory responsibilities. It focuses on the law as it applies to supervisors, site-control responsibilities, RAMS, briefings, monitoring and timely intervention. The current course is endorsed by Build UK and CITB states that it exceeds the construction-supervisor training standard.

What must I complete to receive the certificate?

You must attend the full 15 hours, pass all three trainer-review elements and pass the end-of-course examination. The review covers group exercise performance and collaborative working, active engagement during the course and completion of the five-minute toolbox talk. A delegate who fails the trainer review cannot sit the exam.

What is the current examination structure?

Appendix C version 01.04 specifies 25 questions worth 30 marks in 30 minutes. Twenty-two multiple-choice questions are worth one mark each. Three short written questions are worth between one and three marks. To pass, score at least 24 out of 30 and answer all four safety-critical questions correctly.

What is the safety-critical gate?

Four safety-critical questions appear at the beginning of the examination. Every one must be answered correctly, independently of the total score. A delegate can therefore reach or exceed 24 marks and still fail the first attempt by missing one of those four questions.

Is the SSSTS examination open book?

Only in part. The paper lasts 30 minutes. GE706 may be used during the final 10 minutes, but not during the first 20. GT700 is a mandatory course publication and supports the toolbox-talk work; Appendix C does not name it as a permitted exam reference.

What does the construction-site drawing exercise involve?

CITB provides three drawings with scenarios. At least one drawing and one related project must be used. Delegates work individually or collaboratively to prepare a risk assessment, method statement or both and/or complete relevant site set-up detail. The trainer observes performance as part of the review; the exercise is not an optional practice quiz.

What is required for the toolbox talk?

Each delegate prepares and delivers a five-minute toolbox talk. Preparation is set as homework after day one and delivery takes place on day two. The talk should be relevant to the site, suited to the intended audience and focused on clear key points. It forms one of the three trainer-review elements.

What happens if I fail the first examination?

After passing the trainer review, a delegate may be eligible for the permitted re-sit if the first score is 21–23 with all safety-critical questions correct, or if the score reaches at least 24 but a safety-critical question is missed. It may take place the same day after suitable preparation and consent or within 30 days. A different paper is required, and both pass gates still apply.

Why does this guide have five modules when GE706 has Sections A–F?

The controlling Appendix C publishes five learning-outcome modules: Legal and management; Health and welfare; General safety; High risk activities; and Environment. GE706-V20 is organised separately into Sections A–F and includes a Specialist section. That sixth publication section is useful reference material, not a sixth public SSSTS module or a separately weighted exam section.

Does CITB publish the number of exam questions per module?

No fixed module allocation is published in the current Appendix C or Principal Scheme Rules. The 601-question figures in this guide are future authoring targets for balanced study coverage, not claims about the 25 live examination questions.

Are there entry requirements?

CITB's public course page lists no formal qualification prerequisite, but delegates should hold or be about to hold a supervisor role and previous health-and-safety knowledge is recommended. Appendix C requires competence in written and spoken English at site-supervisor level. Confirm support or accessibility arrangements with the approved provider before booking.

Can SSSTS be taken remotely?

Yes. The current CITB course page permits classroom or remote delivery through an approved provider. The same attendance, learning outcomes, exercise, toolbox talk, trainer review and examination controls apply. Confirm technology, identification, materials and live participation arrangements in advance.

How long is an SSSTS certificate valid?

The certificate is valid for five years. Before it expires, an eligible holder can complete the separate one-day SSSTS Refresher. A person who cannot evidence a current eligible certificate or allows it to expire must re-enter through the full two-day course if they wish to remain in the scheme.

Is this guide for SSSTS-R as well?

No. This slug maps the full two-day SSSTS. SSSTS-R is a separate one-day renewal course for existing eligible certificate holders, with its own Appendix D, course duration and exam rules. Refresher eligibility and assessment must not be inferred from this full-course blueprint.

What is the progression route after SSSTS?

Appendix C identifies the five-day Site Management Safety Training Scheme as the natural progression. SMSTS serves managers and aspiring managers and has its own learning structure, exercises, trainer review and examination. It is not simply an advanced SSSTS mock.

Does SSSTS give me a CSCS Gold Supervisor card?

No. The current CSCS Gold Supervisor card requires an accepted construction-related supervisory or technical NVQ or SVQ at Level 3 or 4 and the CITB Specialist Supervisory Health, Safety and Environment test. SSSTS is valuable supervisor training but is not either of those separate card requirements.

Is SSSTS the same as the CITB Specialist Supervisory HS&E test?

No. SSSTS is a two-day Site Safety Plus course with exercise evidence, a toolbox talk, trainer review and a 25-question mixed-format exam. The Specialist Supervisory HS&E test is a separate card-related test. Its content and weighting must remain under the relevant CITB test slug.

Does passing SSSTS prove occupational competence?

No. It demonstrates successful completion of this safety course. It does not prove competence for a specific supervisory occupation, appoint the holder as a CDM dutyholder or temporary works supervisor, or replace suitable task planning, competent design, RAMS, briefings, permits, inspections, examinations, rescue arrangements and real-time supervision.

Does this module cover Northern Ireland construction law?

No. This tracker row uses a Great Britain scope and Appendix C expressly includes CDM 2015. Northern Ireland has separate legislation and enforcement arrangements. Similar risk-control principles still require the correct local legal basis and should not be taught with transplanted Great Britain citations.