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Health and Safety

Site Management Safety Training Scheme

Certified by CITB From £419+VAT Cities 7

Book Site Management Safety Training Scheme with live availability across the UK. Delivered by accredited providers, with transparent pricing and instant confirmation.

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About the Site Management Safety Training Scheme

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme, commonly abbreviated to SMSTS, is a 5-day course developed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) for anyone who manages or is preparing to manage a UK construction site. It sits within the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme alongside SSSTS, the Health and Safety Awareness course, and Temporary Works qualifications (Temporary Works Coordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor).

SMSTS is recognised across the UK construction industry and is required by virtually every main contractor, including Balfour Beatty, Mace, Skanska, Wates, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Morgan Sindall and BAM, for anyone in a site management or project management role. Holding a current SMSTS certificate is also one of the qualifying routes for the CSCS Black Manager Card.

The course covers the legal responsibilities of site managers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), and a wide range of construction-specific legislation including RIDDOR, LOLER, PUWER, COSHH, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The official course reference manual is the CITB GE700 Construction Site Safety, which delegates use throughout the week and can refer to during the final assessment.

The qualification is valid for 5 years, after which you'll need to complete the 2-day SMSTS Refresher to maintain your certification. The SMSTS Refresher course must be completed before your certificate expires.

Who it's for

  • Site managers responsible for day-to-day site operations
  • Project managers delivering construction projects
  • Contracts managers overseeing multiple sites
  • Construction managers and senior site agents
  • Senior supervisors and foremen stepping up to management roles
  • Self-employed contractors managing their own sites
  • Principal contractors with CDM 2015 duties
  • Sub-contractors managing their own work packages on site
  • Anyone responsible for planning, organising, and managing site safety under CDM 2015
  • Anyone applying for the CSCS Black Manager Card
  • SMSTS certificate holders whose qualification is approaching expiry (refresher route)

Entry requirements

  • No formal qualifications required
  • Delegates should hold or be moving into a site management or supervisory role
  • A reasonable level of spoken and written English (the course is delivered and assessed in English)
  • Aged 18 or over
  • Initial assessment completed before the course (sent by email after booking)
  • For online delivery: a reliable internet connection, webcam, and a quiet space to learn
  • Photo ID required on day 1 (passport or driving licence) for classroom courses

What you'll achieve

  • Official CITB SMSTS certificate, valid for 5 years
  • Recognition under the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme by every UK main contractor
  • Qualifies for CSCS Black Manager Card application
  • Working knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and CDM 2015
  • Practical understanding of RIDDOR, LOLER, PUWER and COSHH on a live site
  • Ability to produce, review and apply risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
  • Confidence in managing high-risk activities including work at height, scaffolding, and excavations
  • Skills to lead site inductions, deliver toolbox talks, and manage subcontractors
  • Stronger career positioning for site manager and project manager roles
  • Foundation for further qualifications: IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH Construction, and NVQ Level 6

What you'll learn on the Site Management Safety Training Scheme

1
Health and safety law
HSW Act 1974, CDM 2015, RIDDOR, COSHH regulations and management duties
2
Risk assessment and method statements
Identifying hazards, assessing risk, writing and reviewing RAMS
3
Working at height
Scaffold inspection, edge protection, Work at Height Regulations 2005, rescue plans
4
Excavations and confined spaces
Safe systems of work, permits, shoring, gas detection, emergency procedures
5
Demolition and site plant
Managing demolition works, crane operations, plant movements, exclusion zones
6
Environmental management
Noise, dust, waste management, pollution prevention, environmental permits
7
Occupational health and welfare
Asbestos awareness, COSHH controls, noise, vibration, manual handling, and site welfare standards
8
Fire safety and electrical safety
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire risk assessments, temporary electrics, and PUWER
9
Leadership and communication
Site inductions, toolbox talks, managing subcontractors, and incident investigation
10
Assessment and certification
End-of-course exam, written case study, 81% pass mark, and CITB SMSTS certification valid for 5 years

Site Management Safety Training Scheme FAQs

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme is a 5-day CITB-accredited course for site managers, project managers, and anyone responsible for managing health and safety on a UK construction site. It sits within the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme.
SMSTS stands for Site Management Safety Training Scheme. It's developed and certified by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
SMSTS is required by virtually every UK main contractor — including Balfour Beatty, Mace, Skanska, Kier, Wates, Laing O'Rourke, Morgan Sindall and BAM — for site managers, project managers, contracts managers, and senior supervisors stepping into management roles.
SSSTS (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) is a 2-day course for supervisors and foremen, while SMSTS is a 5-day course for site managers and project managers with full management responsibility under CDM 2015. SMSTS goes deeper into legal duties, risk management, and leadership.
The SMSTS course runs over five consecutive days, typically 08:00–17:00 each day. Some providers offer block-release or day-release options that split delivery across two weeks.
There are no formal qualifications required, but delegates should hold or be moving into a site management role, be 18 or over, and have a reasonable level of spoken and written English. Photo ID is required on day 1 for classroom courses.
Yes — many providers deliver SMSTS as a live virtual classroom via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The content, assessment, and CITB certification are identical to the in-person version.
The course covers health and safety law (HSW Act 1974, CDM 2015), risk assessments and method statements, working at height, excavations, demolition, occupational health, fire and electrical safety, environmental management, and leadership on site.
Assessment is through a written exam, a case study exercise, and ongoing tutor evaluation across the five days. The pass mark is 81%.
The pass rate is approximately 98%, but delegates are expected to participate fully throughout the five days and complete pre-course reading.
Most providers offer a free or low-cost re-sit if you narrowly miss the pass mark. If you fail significantly, you may be required to re-attend the full 5-day course.
CITB typically issues SMSTS certificates within 20 working days of the course completion date. Some providers offer a digital provisional certificate in the meantime.
The SMSTS certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
Before expiry, complete the 2-day SMSTS Refresher to renew for another 5 years. If your certificate has already expired, you must re-take the full 5-day SMSTS course.
No. The refresher must be completed before your existing certificate expires. Once it's lapsed, the only route back is the full 5-day course.
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