CITB Site Safety Plus - Which course is best for me?

Which CITB Site Safety Plus course is right for me? 

Choosing the right Site Safety Plus (SSP) course can feel overwhelming, especially if you're unsure which level suits your role. Let's make it simple.

Before deciding, ask yourself the following questions: 

1. What is your current job role?
2. What level of responsibility do you have? 
3. Have you completed any safety training prior to now? 

Once you know the answers, selecting the right course becomes easy. Here's a guide based on advice from our trainers and industry:

What is Site Safety Plus? 

Site Safety Plus is a suite of CITB approved courses designed to go beyond "Tick-Box" learning. These courses provide practical knowledge and judgment to create safer, more confident workplaces. Whether you're new to construction or managing entire sites, there's a course for you. The goal of these courses is to ensure the safety to you, your team or colleagues, and it's surroundings. The courses offered by CITB are as below and are all readily available here at Alpha Safety training:

 

Course Options

CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) 

• Who's it for: New entrants to construction
• Duration: 1 x Day course
• What you'll learn: Basic site safety, common risks found on a construction site, and fitness for work. 
• Important: This course qualifies you for the CSCS Green labouring card. You will need to pass the HSE touch screen test too, but on evidencing both, you can apply for your Green CSCS card allowing access to site as a labourer. 

N.B. We offer the HSA open classroom courses at both Swansea and Cardiff but also via eLearning just in case you're living further afield.  

 

CITB SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme

• Who it's for: Supervisors
• Duration: 2 x Day course
• What you'll learn: Toolbox talks, inductions, daily briefings, and compliance checks. 
• Important: This qualification expires after 5 x years, therefore don't get caught out, complete the 1 x Day refresher to remain compliant before expiry.

 

CITB SSSTS - Refresher

• Duration: 1 x Day course
• Purpose: Keeps your certificate valid for an additional 5 x Years and keeps you updated with any changes in legislation.  

 

CITB SMSTS - Site Manager Safety Training Scheme

• Who it's for: Site managers or those training for management roles.
• Duration: 5 x Day course
• What you'll learn: In depth health, safety, welfare, and environmental responsibilities. 
• Important: On completion of your SMSTS you may want to improve on other qualifications such as gaining a 3 x Day first aid at work course as opposed to the 1 x Day Emergency first aid at work. The 3 x Day often fall hand in hand with the manager qualification. 
• Similar to the SSSTS, we strongly recommend not allowing your certificate to expire after the 5 x years, especially as there is zero grace period post expiry. The refresher SMSTS is just 2 x Days and a popular option rather than having to complete the full 5 x Days again! 

N.B. We offer the SMSTS via pre-scheduled open courses at both academies, but if preferred we also offer a Remote version of the course whereby the tutor is still present to converse and discuss, but the communication is done via zoom.

 

CITB SMSTS Refresher

• Duration: 2 x Day course
• Purpose: Extends your certificate by another 5 x Years as well as remaining compliant with any updates in regulations and legislation.  

 

CITB SEATS - Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme

• Who's it for: Typically but not limited to supervisors and managers
• Duration: 1 x Day course
• Focus: Waste management, pollution control, energy use, and ecological protection.

 

CITB Temporary Works Co-Ordinator (TWC)

• Who's it for: Those managing temporary work specific roles e.g. Scaffolding
• Duration: 2 x Day course
• Focus: Planning, design, safety controls, and communicaiton
• Important: This qualification expires after 5 x years, therefore don't get caught out, complete the 1 x Day refresher to remain compliant before expiry.

 

CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)

• Who's it for: Those supervising temporary work specific roles e.g. Scaffolding
• Duration: 1 x Day course
• Focus: Monitoring and ensuring safe execution. 

 

Summary

In short, based on your responsibilities on site or experience levels, the suggested course is as below, however, if you still have questions please do reach out, we're here to support:

• New to construction/site: CITB Health and Safety Awareness course (HSA)
• Supervising people: CITB Site Supervisor course (SSSTS)
• Managing Teams/Projects: CITB Site Manager course (SMSTS)
• Environmental Responsibilities: CITB Site Environmental course (SEATS)
• Temporary Works Management: Temporary Works Coordinator course (TWC)
• Temporary Works Supervision: Temporary Works Supervisor course (TWS)