Just about any professional commercial or residential construction site will have a site manager who oversees and effectively ‘runs’ a construction or civil engineering job. Also known as a construction manager, it is their role to ensure the building project is completed safely, within budget and on time.
There are several ways of reaching the role of site manager; either working your way up the professional ladder within a company, usually being mentored by an experienced site manager, or by studying for the relevant qualifications and entering the workplace as a site manager. However, whichever route you take, employers will expect you to work towards and gain the necessary qualifications; a key qualification is having an SMSTS, or Site Management Safety Training Scheme, certification (or ‘card’).
What is SMSTS?
The highly regarded, industry-recognised SMSTS training is designed to provide site managers, and other key personnel in the construction and civil engineering industries, with an in-depth knowledge of:
- Implementing health, welfare, safety and environmental legislation that affect your work on a daily basis.
- Implementing industry best practices and new guidance, or legislation, within the workplace.
- Understanding the responsibilities and duties of a site manager in respect of the health, welfare, safety and environmental impact of the construction project’s employees, contractors, sub-contractors and surroundings.
The course provides site managers with the qualifications, necessary skills and best practices they need to fulfil the role, including conducting risk assessments, implementing control measures, maintaining health and safety on site and across the workforce as well as ensuring a high level of communication.
Why do I need SMSTS training?
A site manager with the CITB, industry-recognised SMSTS certification provides peace of mind for all parties in construction and civil engineering projects that the individual has the competency and meets the required standard to manage the job, including:
• The skills and best practices to be able to plan and implement a project including the health, welfare, safety and environmental aspects in accordance with current legislation.
• The knowledge, understanding and awareness of a site manager’s social and moral responsibilities towards staff and contractors on site
• A foundation for career progression and further qualifications.
• The ability to conduct thorough risk assessments on site, identifying potential hazards with equipment and work practices, implementing a safety policy.
• The knowledge to significantly reduce work-related accidents and injuries through implementation of health and safety measures, and developing a safety first culture on site.
• Enabling a more efficient, productive workforce to ensure the project is completed on time, on budget and safely.
Once an SMSTS certificate has been achieved, it’s valid for 5 years and will need to be renewed every 5 years. This can be done by taking an SMSTS-R – a refresher course –to ensure site managers are up-to-date with current legislation and workplace regulations, particularly in respect of health and safety in the workplace. It provides site managers with a very good current understanding, as well as the resources, to be able to continue to plan, organise and monitor a site’s workforce throughout the construction project.
