SMSTS Course Requirements: A Foundation for Construction Management
25 August 2025
If you're considering taking this crucial step in your career, understanding the SMSTS course requirements is essential. Here we break down what the course entails and what you need to know before enrolling.
What is the SMSTS Course?
The SMSTS course is a comprehensive training programme designed to equip site managers, agents, supervisors, and business owners with a thorough understanding of health, safety, welfare, and environmental issues on construction sites. It provides the knowledge and skills necessary to manage site safety effectively, contributing to a safer and more productive working environment. The qualification is widely recognised and often a prerequisite for leadership roles in the construction sector.
CITB SMSTS Course content:
The CITB-accredited SMSTS course covers a wide range of critical topics related to construction site safety management. Key areas typically include:
- Relevant Health and Safety Legislation: A detailed overview of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other pertinent regulations, including the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
- Risk Assessments and Method Statements: Understanding the principles of risk assessment, how to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and develop effective control measures. The course also covers the creation and implementation of safe method statements.
- Implementing and Managing Health and Safety on Site: Practical guidance on developing, communicating, and enforcing site safety rules and procedures. This includes topics like site inductions, toolbox talks, and monitoring safety performance.
- Communication and Behavioural Safety: Emphasising the importance of clear communication and how individual behaviour impacts site safety. The course often explores techniques for promoting a positive safety culture.
- Specific Hazards and Control Measures: In-depth exploration of common construction site hazards and the appropriate control measures for activities such as working at height, excavations, electricity, manual handling, plant and machinery, and confined spaces.
- Management of Occupational Health: Raising awareness of occupational health risks and the importance of managing issues like noise, dust, vibration, and stress on site.
- Environmental Awareness: Covering environmental legislation and best practices for minimising the environmental impact of construction activities.
SMSTS Course duration and how long is the SMSTS Course?
The standard SMSTS course duration is five days. This is typically delivered as a 5-day block release course, requiring full-time attendance for the duration. RISK offers day release over several weeks, but the total contact time remains equivalent to five full days. When someone asks, "How long is the SMSTS course?", the answer is consistently five days of focused training.
SMSTS qualification requirements:
The SMSTS qualification requirements are relatively straightforward. The course is primarily aimed at individuals who have or are about to acquire management responsibilities on construction sites. While there are no formal prerequisites in terms of prior qualifications, it is beneficial for delegates to have some experience of the construction environment to fully appreciate the context of the training.
The course is designed for:
- Site Managers
- Assistant Site Managers
- Site Supervisors
- Project Managers
- Business Owners involved in construction activities
Delegates should have a good understanding of spoken and written English to fully participate in the course and complete the assessments. The course involves active
participation in discussions, group exercises, and a final multiple-choice examination. Successful completion of the examination leads to the award of the CITB SMSTS certificate, which is valid for five years.
In summary, the SMSTS course is a five-day intensive training program covering essential aspects of construction site safety management. It is designed for individuals with current or upcoming managerial responsibilities on site. While no specific qualifications are mandatory, a basic understanding of the construction environment and good English language skills are beneficial for successful participation.
RISK is a multi-award winning CITB Approved Training provider, dedicated to delivering high-quality SMSTS courses that equip you with the knowledge and skills for a safer and more successful career in construction management.
