The CITB SSSTS Refresher is the one-day course that renews a Site Supervisors' Safety Training Scheme certificate for a further five years. It updates supervisors on changes in legislation and site practice since their last course, without repeating the full two days.
Your certificate must still be in date
The refresher is only open to you while your existing SSSTS certificate is valid. There is no grace period. The CITB scheme rules state that anyone without an in-date certificate must complete the full two-day SSSTS course again, and that this is not subject to appeal. A certificate that lapsed by one day is treated exactly like one that lapsed two years ago. Check your expiry date before you book.
Duration1 dayA single day of delivery, attended in full
Renews for5 yearsFrom the date you pass, not from your old expiry
Entry requirementIn-date SSSTSProof of your current certificate is required
If it has lapsedFull 2-day courseThe refresher is closed to you, with no appeal
Who the course is for
This course suits you if
- You are a site supervisor, foreman, gang leader or team leader holding a current SSSTS certificate
- Your certificate is approaching its five-year expiry date
- You previously passed the full two-day SSSTS, or a later SSSTS Refresher
- You direct the work of others on site rather than managing the site as a whole
Before you book, you will need
- An SSSTS or SSSTS Refresher certificate that has not expired
- Proof of that certificate, which providers check before or on the day
- Photographic identification at registration
- Written and spoken English at the level needed to supervise on site
What the SSSTS refresher covers
The refresher concentrates on what has changed since your original course and on the supervisory responsibilities that cause the most difficulty in practice. Content is set by CITB, so it is consistent whichever approved provider you book with.
- Changes to health, safety, welfare and environmental legislation since your last course
- The supervisor's role and legal responsibilities on site
- Risk assessments and method statements, and supervising to them
- Toolbox talks, briefings and communicating safety to a working team
- Monitoring site activities and challenging unsafe practice
- Occupational health risks, including vibration, noise, dust and manual handling
- Behavioural safety and leading by example
- Accident causes, reporting and the supervisor's part in prevention
How you can take it
Classroom
A single day at a training centre, which minimises time away from site and is the most widely available format.
Live online
The same CITB certificate, delivered by a tutor in a virtual classroom. You will need a quiet room, a webcam and a stable connection throughout.
On site for groups
Delivered at your own premises where you have enough supervisors to fill a course, removing travel and downtime.
Assessment and certification
Full attendance is a CITB requirement, so the day cannot be partially attended. Assessment is by an end-of-course examination alongside continuous tutor assessment of participation. Successful delegates are issued a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate valid for five years from the date of completion.
Common questions
How long is the SSSTS Refresher course?
One day, attended in full. Partial attendance is not permitted under the CITB scheme rules, so arriving late or leaving early can mean losing the certificate for that course.
Can I take the refresher if my SSSTS has already expired?
No. The refresher is only available while your existing certificate is still valid. The CITB scheme rules require anyone without an in-date certificate to complete the full two-day SSSTS course again, and this is not subject to appeal. Aim to book three to six months ahead of your expiry date.
Should I take the SSSTS Refresher or move up to SMSTS?
It depends on what you actually do rather than your job title. If you supervise a gang, trade or team, the SSSTS Refresher keeps you current. If you have taken on management responsibility for a site, the five-day SMSTS is the qualification principal contractors will expect, and it is a separate course rather than a progression from the refresher.
Is the online SSSTS Refresher the same certificate?
Yes. A live, tutor-led online refresher leads to exactly the same CITB Site Safety Plus certificate as the classroom course. It is not self-paced e-learning, and the examination is invigilated, so you will need a private room and your camera on throughout.
Do I need to bring anything to the course?
Photographic identification is required at registration, and providers will ask for proof of your current SSSTS certificate. Without either, attendance can be refused on the day.
Does SSSTS count towards a CSCS card?
Not on its own. SSSTS is a site safety certificate, while CSCS cards are based on vocational qualifications such as an NVQ plus the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The two are separate, and holding one does not satisfy the other.
Compare SSSTS Refresher dates and venues below
Envico lists scheduled SSSTS Refresher dates from CITB-approved providers across the UK, so you can compare venues, formats and prices in one place rather than ringing round. Not sure which course you need? Try our free Site Safety Plus course finder, or browse all CITB Site Safety Plus courses.
