CITB (SMSTS-R) Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher

This CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R) course is for you if you have previously passed the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course, or a subsequent refresher course.

Description

This CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (SMSTS-R) course is for you if you have previously passed the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course, or a subsequent refresher course and can provide proof of attendance.

This refresher brings your health and safety knowledge up to date and provides a thorough overview of the legislative changes and their impact in the workplace. It builds on the material in the original course as well as introducing new subjects.

Failure to attend the refresher course prior to the expiry of an existing certificate will require learners to re-enter the scheme by completing the full SMSTS course if they wish to remain in the scheme.

Assessment

Continuous assessment and multiple-choice test.

The exam paper is compulsory and consists of 25 questions, selected by CITB, covering all aspects of the course. The examination pass mark is 80% (28 out of 35). The paper consists of 20 multiple choice questions and five short written questions. There are five safety critical questions in each exam paper. The learner must get all five of these questions correct in order to pass the exam.

Suitability

The refresher course is only for learners who have previously passed the five-day SMSTS or subsequent refresher course, and hold a valid SMSTS certificate. Evidence must be provided of eligibility. If a learner cannot provide a copy of their certificate, the online card checker can be used to establish if a learner currently holds a valid SMSTS certificate.

Business benefits

  • Improve awareness of recent developments in construction, legislation and health, safety, welfare and environmental issues
  • Identify measures that will assist the practical implementation of responsibilities established by new legislation and new working practices.

Learning outcomes

  • The current focus of the Health and Safety Executive’s attention
  • Risk assessment and method statements
  • Construction Site Health, Safety and Welfare
  • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
  • Behavioural safety
  • Occupational health
  • Overview and changes to the current legislation affecting construction

Syllabus

Unit 1.

  1. Health and safety law – The purpose of health and safety legislation and the different legislative requirements that must be followed to ensure this is achieved.
  2. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act –  The legal duties of the employer, self-employed and, to a lesser extent, employee, to promote health and safety awareness and effective standards of safety management by every employer.
  3. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations – CDM Regulations that cover the management of health, safety and welfare on construction projects. What they are about, what they require, what needs to be done and by whom.
  4. Health and safety policies – The key principles of a health and safety policy and the organisation’s arrangements for putting those policies in place. The key benefits of the policy, what it should contain and how it should be used.
  5. Risk assessments and method statements – The importance of risk assessments in ensuring a reduction in workplace accidents. Identify the requirements of risk assessments and method statements to be suitable and proportionate to the site specific risks, fully understood and appreciated by the workforce.
  6. Induction and training –  The legal requirements for the provision of information and ensure it is tailored for the audience, understood by the audience and specific to the site. Meet the needs of employee training to maintain competence on site.
  7. Effective communication – The importance of good communication on site with all employees, particularly during site induction, and ensuring safety critical information is conveyed.
  8. Leadership and worker engagement – Principles of leadership and worker engagement to influence good working practices on site.
  9. Inspection and audit – The importance of accurately monitoring, measuring and reporting on health and safety within the workplace. Use reliable information to show health and safety risks are being managed.
  10. Statutory forms, notices and registers – Statutory and non- statutory forms, notices, signs and registers used within the construction industry and the keeping of records and other details.
  11. Accident prevention, control, reporting and investigation – Why accidents happen, the human factors, trends, causes, impacts and preventative measures required, including reporting, and follow through. Factors to consider when developing construction phase plans, safe systems of work, assessing risk, undertaking site inspections and daily health and safety management.

 

Unit 2.

  1. Management of health – The importance of sustaining good health in the workforce and how to plan and maintain suitable practices to prevent the high costs that work-related ill health causes.
  2. Welfare facilities – The importance of providing suitable welfare facilities and ensure they comply with the CDM Regulations.
  3. Stress and mental health at work – The importance of a positive approach to managing mental health issues and reducing the costs to industry. 
  4. Drugs and alcohol – Identify, manage and support individuals affected by drugs and alcohol and understand the legal framework that regulates it.
  5. Control of substances hazardous to health – The importance of protecting the workforce from exposure to hazardous substances. 
  6. Lead – The implications of lead in buildings, its effect, management and control.
  7. Asbestos – The risks asbestos poses to health, and the legal requirements required to manage that risk.
  8. Dust and fumes – The risks posed by inhalation of airborne particles, how to minimise that risk and protect the workforce. 
  9. Noise – The risks that excess noise can place on the employee and the surrounding area, and how to mitigate and manage that risk.
  10. Vibration – How exposure to vibration can have serious health risks. How to assess and control the risk of vibration through control methods.
  11. Manual handling – How to reduce the risk of injury within the workforce, taking into account the task, environment and control measures.

 

Unit 3.

  1. Site organisation – The requirements to be considered when setting out a construction site.
  2. Fire prevention and control and dangerous substances – Correct fire planning and dangerous substance control, including safe handling and storage. Procedures to manage hazards and risks.
  3. Electrical safety – Dangers of working on or near to live electrical circuits and good working practices.
  4. Temporary works – Requirements to manage temporary works and ensure they are planned, maintained and removed appropriately.
  5. Plant and work equipment – The importance of control and management of plant and equipment on site. Effective planning, risk assessment, training and maintenance.
  6. Mobile plant and vehicles – Effective planning and control of mobile plant and vehicles. Legal obligations of working with mobile plant on site.
  7. Lifting operations and equipment – Legal requirements for lifting operations, equipment and accessories and the steps required to ensure risks are mitigated, planning is undertaken (including selection of equipment) and the correct training and maintenance obligations are met safely and efficiently.
  8. Mobile workforce and driver safety – Legal framework and guidance that supports the management of health and safety for mobile, lone and out of hour’s workers, and the potential risks and how to control them.

 

Unit 4.

  1. Work at Height Regulations Risks surrounding working at height and the plans that must be in place to ensure safety.
  2. Safe working at height – Risks that exist from working at height (such as working platforms, scaffolds, ladders, flat and pitched roofs and any work being carried out near fragile materials, openings, holes and roof edges).
  3. Common access equipment – Health and safety requirements when selecting and using common forms of access equipment.
  4. Scaffolding – Key safety issues that relate to the use of scaffolds, how to manage scaffolding operations and how to assess suitability of erected scaffolds.
  5. Fall arrest and suspension equipment – Fall arrest and suspension equipment.
  6. Excavations – Planning excavations and a safe working practice considering all the elements of the excavation.
  7. Underground and overhead services – Risk factors of working with underground and overhead services, including how to plan the work and manage risk.
  8. Confined spaces – What a confined space is, how to risk assess it and how to work safely.

FAQ

Who is CITB?

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the industry training board for the UK construction industry. It’s their job to help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development, to build a better Britain.

 

How can I study this course?

We recognise that everyone is different, which is why we offer a choice of study routes. We can deliver the course in your workplace, you can visit one of our training centres or you can complete the course via an online virtual live class.

 

How long does CITB SMSTS Refresher take to complete?

The classroom course is held over 2 days.

 

Will I be issued with a certificate upon successful completion?

Yes. On successful completion the learner will receive an accredited CITB certificate. The certificate will be forwarded by CITB at a later date. A proof of pass can be immediately provided if required though.

 

How long is the CITB SMSTS Refresher certificate valid for?

Certification for this course is valid for 5 years. To remain certified in this area, you will need to retake the course before the expiry date.

 

Why should I do the CITB Site Manager Safety Training Scheme Refresher course?

The SMSTS has been specifically designed for managers within the construction industry who have the duty to manage and supervise a workforce. Throughout the construction industry, the qualification shows that you have the knowledge and understanding of health and safety and that leads to a safer working environment.