The Site Safety Supervisor Training Scheme (SSSTS) is a two-day construction training course run by the CITB. It is designed for site supervisors and team leaders who want to understand their health and safety responsibilities on a UK construction site.

Passing it first time is absolutely doable. Thousands of workers do it every year. But you do need to go in prepared. This guide walks you through the ten best tips to make sure you walk out with a pass.

If you are thinking about what comes next after your SSSTS, you might also want to look at our CPCS training courses for plant operators or our full construction courses list.

What is the SSSTS test, exactly?

The SSSTS is not a long written exam. It is a short test at the end of a two-day course. You answer multiple-choice questions, and you may also need to complete a short written task, like a risk assessment or a toolbox talk exercise.

The questions focus on real site situations. You are not expected to memorize huge amounts of text. What the CITB wants to see is that you understand why the rules exist and how you would apply them as a supervisor.

The pass mark is around 80%. That sounds high, but the questions are fair and straightforward if you have paid attention during the two course days.

Top 10 tips to pass your SSSTS test first time

Get the CITB revision booklet before day one

The CITB publishes a study booklet for SSSTS candidates. Download it or ask your training provider for a copy. Even reading through it once the night before the course starts puts you well ahead. You will already recognize the key terms and legislation when the trainer mentions them. 

Learn the key acts and regulations by name

You do not need to memorize every clause. But you do need to know the names of the main laws: the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), and COSHH. When a question mentions one of these, you should already know roughly what it covers.

Understand the hierarchy of control

This comes up again and again in the SSSTS test. The hierarchy goes as follows: Eliminate → Substitute → Engineering controls → Administrative controls → PPE. If a question asks how you should manage a hazard, always think top of the hierarchy first. Using PPE alone is never the best answer. 

Practice writing a basic risk assessment

One of the written tasks you might face is completing a risk assessment. Practice doing this before the test. You need to identify the hazard, state who is at risk, describe the existing controls, and suggest improvements. Keep it clear and practical. Examiners are not looking for perfect grammar; they are looking for good thinking. 

Ask questions during the two course days

The SSSTS course days are taught sessions, not just pre-test lectures. The trainer knows the test content well. If something is unclear, ask. Every question you get answered during the course is one less thing you have to figure out alone at night. Use the trainer as a resource. 

Take your own notes in your own words

Writing notes in your own words helps information stick. Do not just copy what is on the slides. Write down what the trainer says in plain English, the way you would explain it to someone else. These notes are also great for a quick review on the morning of the test. 

Know your responsibilities as a supervisor

The SSSTS is specifically for supervisors, not just any site worker. Make sure you are clear on what a supervisor is legally responsible for. That includes making sure workers follow the method statement, reporting near-misses, running toolbox talks, and knowing when to stop work if something is unsafe. 

Do not skip the night-before review

You do not need to study for hours. But spending 30 to 45 minutes the evening before the test going through your notes and the revision booklet makes a real difference. Focus on legislation names, the hierarchy of control, and any practical scenarios from the course days that you found tricky. 

Read each question carefully before answering

This sounds obvious, but a lot of candidates lose marks by rushing. Read the full question. SSSTS multiple-choice questions sometimes include phrases like “What is the FIRST thing you should do?” or “What is the MOST appropriate control measure?” One word changes the correct answer entirely. 

Choose a quality training provider

The quality of your two days matters more than you think. A good trainer covers the test content properly, uses real examples, and helps you practice the written tasks. At Quiz Training, our SSSTS courses are delivered by experienced construction professionals who know exactly what the test requires. See our construction courses page for upcoming dates. 

What happens if you fail the SSSTS test?

Failing is not the end of the world. The CITB does allow resits, and your training provider can advise you on the process. The most important thing is to find out which areas you struggled with and focus your revision there before you try again.

In our experience at Quiz Training, candidates who fail usually do so because of one of two reasons: they did not spend any time revising outside of the course hours, or they rushed through the written task without thinking it through. Both are easy to fix.

How does the SSSTS compare to the SMSTS?

A question we hear a lot is, “Should I do the SSSTS or the SMSTS?” Here is the simple answer. The SSSTS is for supervisors who directly oversee a small team on site. The SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) is a five-day course aimed at site managers and those with wider responsibility.

If you are currently a team leader or working supervisor, start with the SSSTS. If you are already managing a site or aspire to, the SMSTS is the better route. Some people do both over time as they progress in their career.

Both qualifications are respected by employers and are often required before workers can be considered for promotion on large UK construction projects.

What other construction training goes well with SSSTS?

The SSSTS gives you the supervisory knowledge. But if you also want practical, on-site skills and certification, you should look at these alongside it:

CPCS training courses: If you operate plant machinery, the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card is the industry-standard proof of your competence. CPCS training covers everything from 360 excavators to dumper trucks. Without it, most large sites will not let you operate machinery.

Traffic marshall course: Every busy construction site needs qualified traffic marshalls to keep vehicles and pedestrians safe. A traffic marshall course is usually a one-day qualification that covers banksman signals, PPE, and site traffic management procedures. It is one of the most requested qualifications by site managers right now.

Telehandler Training: If your role involves lifting and moving loads on-site, telehandler training gets you certified to safely operate a telescopic handler. It is a fast-growing area because telehandlers are now used on almost every large residential and commercial construction project in the UK.

At Quiz Training, we offer all of these through our London-based training center, and we can help you plan a training route that matches your career goals.

Frequently asked questions