What Is SSSTS?
The Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme — the essential health and safety qualification for UK construction supervisors and foremen.
Quick Answer
SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) is a 2-day health and safety course accredited by CITB. It is the industry-standard qualification for construction supervisors, foremen, and gang leaders — those who have day-to-day management of operative teams but are not overall site managers. Most major UK contractors require SSSTS as a minimum for supervisory roles.
What does SSSTS cover?
The 2-day SSSTS course is designed for supervisors who manage operatives daily but do not hold overall site management responsibility. The course covers:
Legal responsibilities
Understanding a supervisor's duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, CDM 2015, and relevant site regulations.
Hazard identification
Recognising common site hazards — working at height, excavations, plant movements, manual handling, and electrical risks.
Managing the team
Toolbox talks, site inductions, near-miss reporting, permits to work, and safe systems of work.
Assessment
SSSTS concludes with a written assessment. A pass certificate valid for 5 years is issued directly by CITB.
Who needs SSSTS?
- Site Foreman
- Trade Supervisor
- Gang Leader
- Working Charge-hand
- Assistant Site Manager (at supervisory grade)
- Scaffold Supervisor / Banksman Team Leader
SSSTS vs SMSTS at a glance
| Feature | SSSTS | SMSTS |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days | 5 days |
| Target | Supervisors & foremen | Site managers & PMs |
| Level | Supervisory | Management |
| CSCS link | Gold Card (supervisors) | Black Card (managers) |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Refresher | 1-day | 2-day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SSSTS a legal requirement?
SSSTS is not a statutory requirement under UK law, but it is effectively a site-access requirement enforced by major principal contractors. Any supervisor placed on a large-contractor site without SSSTS is likely to be turned away.
How long does SSSTS last?
SSSTS is valid for 5 years. A 1-day SSSTS Refresher must be completed before the certificate expires. If it lapses by more than 5 years, the full 2-day course must be retaken.
Can SSSTS lead to SMSTS?
Yes — SSSTS is a common stepping stone. Many supervisors complete SSSTS, gain further site experience, and then progress to SMSTS when moving into a site manager role. The two qualifications are on the same CITB pathway.
What CSCS card does SSSTS support?
SSSTS (combined with an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) supports the CSCS Gold Card for supervisory roles. SMSTS (plus NVQ Level 6+) supports the Black Card for managers.
How much does SSSTS cost?
The 2-day course costs £200–£350 depending on provider. CITB grants are available to offset costs for eligible employers. The 1-day refresher costs approximately £100–£200.
Do Phoenix Gray candidates hold SSSTS?
We source SSSTS-qualified supervisors and foremen from our pre-vetted pool. When booking a supervisor through Phoenix Gray, confirm SSSTS is required so we can prioritise verified-qualified candidates.
Need SSSTS-qualified Supervisors?
Phoenix Gray sources SSSTS-certified foremen and supervisors for UK construction sites — temporary cover and permanent appointments.