How the SSSTS Refresher Course is Assessed
The assessment for the SSSTS Refresher course is designed to ensure that delegates have successfully updated their understanding of health and safety practices and legislation. The assessment typically includes:
► Continuous Assessment: Delegates are continuously assessed throughout the one-day course through their active participation in discussions, group exercises and practical examples. This engagement helps the trainer gauge their understanding and application of the updated material.
► Final Examination: The course concludes with a compulsory examination. The exam consists of 25 questions, which include multiple-choice questions and four "safety critical" questions that require a short written answer.
► Safety Critical Questions: Delegates must answer all four safety critical questions correctly to pass the exam. These questions commonly revolve around risk assessments, method statements, toolbox talks and emergency procedures.
► Passing Mark: The overall examination pass mark is 80% (24 out of 30 marks).
► Mandatory Attendance: Full attendance on the one-day course is compulsory for successful completion.
Upon successful completion of the course and passing the assessment, delegates receive a CITB SSSTS digital PDF Certificate, which is valid for five years.
Greatest Challenges for First-Time SSSTS Refresher Learners
The SSSTS Refresher course is intended for experienced professionals who have previously completed the full SSSTS course. Therefore, it's generally considered manageable, especially for those actively working in a supervisory role. However, some challenges can still arise:
► Keeping Up with Legislative Changes: The primary objective of the refresher is to cover updates on health and safety law, recent legislation, approved codes of practice, and best working practices within the industry. For individuals who haven't consistently kept abreast of these changes since their last certification, absorbing the new information in a condensed one-day format can be challenging.
► Intensive Nature of a One-Day Course: While convenient, the one-day format is intensive. Maintaining focus and engagement throughout the entire course can be demanding, particularly if the delegate is juggling ongoing work responsibilities or is not accustomed to a full day of structured learning.
► Re-engaging with Formal Training: Some supervisors might approach the refresher with a degree of scepticism if they haven't engaged in formal training for a while. Re-adapting to a classroom-style environment and active participation can be a hurdle.
How to Prepare for the 1-Day SSSTS Refresher Course
Effective preparation can significantly enhance a delegate's experience and increase their chances of success on the SSSTS Refresher course:
► Verify Certificate Validity: Ensure your current SSSTS certificate is still valid and has not expired. The refresher course must be completed before the expiry date to avoid having to take the full two-day course again.
► Review Core SSSTS Concepts: Although it's a refresher, a quick review of fundamental SSSTS topics like risk assessments, method statements, toolbox talks, and emergency procedures can be highly beneficial. This will help reactivate prior knowledge and provide a strong foundation for the updates.
► Familiarise Yourself with Recent Legislative Changes: Proactively research any significant updates to health and safety law or new industry guidance that have occurred since your last SSSTS certification. This will give you a head start on the core content of the refresher.
► Ensure English Language Proficiency: A good understanding of spoken and written English is essential, as all course materials and the exam paper are in English.
► Commit to Full Attendance: Full attendance on the one-day course is mandatory. Ensure your schedule is clear for the entire day to avoid any issues with certification.
► Engage Actively: Be prepared to participate in discussions, share your experiences, and apply learning to real-life scenarios. Active engagement is crucial for deeper understanding and is part of the continuous assessment.
► Practice with Test Questions: Utilise SSSTS refresher test questions and mock exams. These typically cover topics like risk assessments, toolbox talks, fire prevention, accident reporting and supervisory responsibilities. Practising will boost confidence for the final exam.
► Review Course Joining Instructions: Course joining instructions are typically sent 7 to 10 days prior to commencement and confirm start/finish times. Review these carefully to ensure you arrive on time, as failure to do so may result in being turned away.
By taking these preparatory steps, delegates can ensure they are well-equipped to successfully complete the SSSTS Refresher course, maintaining their qualification and staying current with essential site safety knowledge.
