SSSTS Refresher vs Full Course: Which Do You Need?

When You Book Multiple Courses.

The Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme is one of the most important qualifications for supervisors working in the construction sector. It forms part of the Site Safety Plus framework which is recognised across the United Kingdom. Many contractors, principal contractors and clients require it as a condition of working on site in a supervisory capacity. However there are two versions of the training that often cause confusion among learners and employers. These are the SSSTS Full Course and the SSSTS Refresher Course.

Although both courses relate to the same supervisory responsibilities, they serve different purposes and are intended for different stages of a supervisor career. Choosing the correct one ensures that you remain compliant, up to date and recognised by employers. This detailed guide explains the differences, the content, the assessment process, eligibility rules and how to decide whether you need the full SSSTS or the SSSTS Refresher.

For current course availability and booking you can visit:
SSSTS Refresher Online Course
and
SSSTS Training Course

Understanding the Purpose of SSSTS Training

The Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme is designed to improve the safety leadership, communication skills, behavioural awareness and legal understanding of construction supervisors. Supervisors occupy a unique position. They are not senior managers but they carry operational authority over workers, subcontractors and daily tasks. They must uphold legal compliance, identify risks, deliver toolbox talks, challenge unsafe behaviour and ensure that company rules are followed.

This means the role demands more than just practical trade knowledge. It requires leadership and awareness of health and safety law. SSSTS training helps supervisors influence safety culture on site and protect the workforce from harm.

Key safety responsibilities of supervisors include:

Managing daily safety briefings
Monitoring workers and subcontractors for compliance
Identifying hazards during work operations
Enforcing site rules and safe systems of work
Communicating risk assessments and method statements
Reporting incidents and near misses
Preventing unsafe actions from becoming incidents
Coordinating with site managers and health and safety advisors

These responsibilities cannot be performed effectively without formal training. The Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme provides that structured professional development.

What is the SSSTS Full Course

The SSSTS Full Course is the starting point for supervisors. It is intended for individuals who are stepping into supervisory roles for the first time or who require formal recognition of supervisory competence.

The SSSTS Full Course includes:

Legal understanding of health and safety responsibilities
Risk assessment and method statement principles
Behavioural safety concepts
Human factors and cultural influences
Site communication skills
Toolbox talk delivery techniques
Environmental awareness and sustainable site practice
Occupational health topics including dust noise and vibration
Incident reporting and emergency procedures

The full training gives supervisors enough depth to perform their duties with confidence. It also ensures that employers can verify competence for compliance and tender purposes.

Who needs the SSSTS Full Course:

Newly appointed supervisors
Experienced tradespeople transitioning into supervision
Forepersons seeking formal certification
Individuals without prior SSSTS certification
Supervisors whose certificates have expired beyond the refresher eligibility period
Operatives preparing for promotion into leadership roles

The full course certificate is valid for three years. After that the candidate must either refresh or repeat depending on eligibility rules.

What is the SSSTS Refresher Course

The SSSTS Refresher Course is designed for individuals who already hold a valid SSSTS certificate and need to renew it. It is shorter than the full course but still provides important updates on legislation, behavioural safety, communication, risk management and environmental responsibilities.

The SSSTS Refresher includes:

Updated overview of current UK health and safety legislation
Case studies from recent Health and Safety Executive enforcement activities
Refresh of risk assessment and method statement principles
Review of behavioural safety and supervisor influence
Enhancement of communication and leadership methods
Verification of incident reporting and emergency response arrangements
Integration of environmental and occupational health responsibilities

Who needs the SSSTS Refresher:

Supervisors with an active SSSTS certificate
Supervisors whose certificate is due to expire within the allowed timeframe
Supervisors wanting a structured knowledge update
Employers seeking to maintain Site Safety Plus compliance across teams

The SSSTS Refresher extends certification for another three years.

Eligibility Requirements: Full Course vs Refresher

The decision between the full course and the refresher is not only about content. It is also about eligibility. CITB has specific rules that determine which route you can take.

Eligibility rules for the SSSTS Full Course:

No prior SSSTS certification required
Anyone moving into a supervisory role can attend
Expired certification outside of the refresher grace window requires the full course again

Eligibility rules for the SSSTS Refresher Course:

You must hold a valid in date SSSTS certificate at the time of attending
If your certificate has expired you may lose eligibility for the refresher
If your certificate has expired significantly the full course is required again

These rules prevent expired supervisors from refreshing without updated foundational knowledge.

Comparing Course Structure and Duration

Both courses cover supervisory responsibilities but their structure differs.

SSSTS Full Course structure:

Delivered over multiple training days
Includes interactive discussions and activities
Assesses foundational legal knowledge and supervisory techniques
Focuses on new learning and capacity building

SSSTS Refresher structure:

Delivered over a shorter period
Includes scenario based exercises
Reinforces existing legal and supervisory knowledge
Focuses on updates, recent cases and professional reflection

The learning experience in both formats is engaging, interactive and led by experienced tutors.

Comparing Content Focus Areas

The content of both courses shares thematic areas. However the level of depth and purpose differs. The full course expands knowledge from the ground up whereas the refresher ensures knowledge remains current and effective.

Main content categories shared across both:

UK health and safety law for construction
Legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act
Requirements under the Construction Design and Management Regulations
Risk assessment and method statement awareness
Behavioural safety and human factors
Site communication and toolbox talks
Supervision of high risk activities
Occupational health and environmental responsibilities
Incident reporting and emergency response

Differences in content emphasis:

SSSTS Full Course gives:

Foundational legal understanding
Introductory behavioural safety frameworks
Initial competence for supervising teams

SSSTS Refresher gives:

Updated legal and regulatory changes
Practical case study analysis
Behavioural reflection and safety culture improvement

This difference explains why learners cannot skip directly to the refresher without completing the full course first.

Assessment and Certification: How They Compare

Assessment in Site Safety Plus training validates knowledge retention and supervisory competence. Both the full and refresher courses include assessment components.

SSSTS Full Course assessment typically includes:

Knowledge based written assessment
Scenario interpretation
Evaluation of legal responsibilities
Short answer responses

SSSTS Refresher assessment typically includes:

Verification of updated legal awareness
Assessment of supervisory communication skills
Review of risk related knowledge
Case study based questions

Both result in issue of a Site Safety Plus certificate valid for three years upon successful completion. Supervisors wishing to prepare for assessment can use mock testing resources to strengthen performance. Target Zero Training provides access to resources at:
Mock Tests

Which Course Should You Take: Decision Logic

To determine whether you need the Refresher or the Full Course it helps to answer a few questions.

Key decision questions include:

Do you already hold a valid SSSTS certificate
Is your SSSTS certificate still in date
Is your SSSTS certificate within the allowed window for refresher attendance
Are you taking SSSTS for the first time
Are you transitioning into a supervisory role after being an operative
Are you returning to construction after several years away

If you answer yes to the questions below you likely need the refresher:

You already hold a valid certificate
Your certificate has not expired or is within the allowed timeframe
You need to renew certification for compliance purposes

If you answer yes to the questions below you likely need the full course:

You have never completed SSSTS
Your certificate has expired significantly
You are stepping into a supervisory role without formal training
Your employer requires it for promotion or site access

This structured approach makes decision making clearer and avoids compliance gaps.

Career Impact of Choosing the Correct Course

Selecting the correct training path affects career progression. SSSTS certification strengthens your credibility and increases your eligibility for supervisory positions within construction and civil engineering environments.

Career benefits of the SSSTS Full Course include:

Enables operatives to become supervisors
Enhances promotion prospects
Improves communication and leadership skills
Strengthens employability across multiple contractors
Helps individuals progress to SMSTS or NEBOSH routes

Career benefits of the SSSTS Refresher include:

Maintains recognised supervisory competence
Confirms ongoing compliance for employers
Reinforces confidence in legal and safety knowledge
Positions supervisors for managerial development
Supports certification records in pre qualification systems such as CHAS or Constructionline

Employers value supervisors who maintain current certification because it reduces compliance risk and demonstrates commitment to professionalism.

Compliance Benefits for Employers

Employers often mandate SSSTS training for supervisors because it reduces liability and improves operational performance. Compliance with health and safety law requires competent supervision.

Compliance benefits for employers include:

Better alignment with CDM supervisory duties
Reduced risk of incidents and associated downtime
Improved communication with principal contractors
Stronger safety culture across labour supply chains
Enhancement of tender documentation and PQQ submissions
Improved relationships with clients and inspectors

Choosing the correct course pathway ensures that compliance remains continuous and certificates do not lapse unexpectedly.

SSSTS Refresher vs Full Course for Safety Culture Improvement

Safety culture on construction sites depends heavily on communication, leadership and behaviour. Supervisors influence how workers approach safety. They set behavioural expectations and enforce rules consistently. The full course gives new supervisors the tools to shape culture. The refresher reinforces those tools and adapts them to current industry expectations.

Cultural development benefits of SSSTS Full Course:

Introduces structured communication for the first time
Builds confidence for delivering toolbox talks
Establishes leadership identity for new supervisors

Cultural development benefits of SSSTS Refresher:

Updates behavioural strategies for modern workforces
Strengthens confidence in challenging unsafe behaviours
Encourages reflection on past actions and their impact on culture
Enhances understanding of human factors and fatigue

Culture evolves and the refresher acknowledges that people, projects and working practices change over time.

Online Delivery Convenience

Target Zero Training delivers both SSSTS Full and Refresher Courses online. This supports supervisors and employers by removing travel barriers and fitting training around project scheduling and shift patterns. Online delivery includes tutor led modules, interactive group work and scenario based discussion.

Learners benefit from:

Real time trainer engagement
Live discussion and peer insights
Structured assessment
Certificates identical to classroom delivery

Booking options are available at:

SSSTS Refresher Online Course
SSSTS Training Course

Other Site Safety Plus Courses To Consider

Supervisors and managers often progress beyond SSSTS by completing additional Site Safety Plus courses. These courses expand competence either in specialised safety domains or managerial responsibilities.

Relevant courses delivered by Target Zero Training include:

SMSTS Training Course for individuals progressing into full site management positions
Temporary Works Coordinator Online Course for supervisory roles overseeing temporary works
Temporary Works Supervisor Online Course for supporting temporary works activities
CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course for operatives seeking the CSCS labourer card
IOSH Managing Safely for broader managerial safety understanding
IOSH Working Safely for worker level safety awareness

These courses complement the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme and expand professional safety leadership capacity.

Final Answer: Which Do You Need

If you are new to supervising teams, have never taken the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme before or have allowed your previous certification to lapse beyond the refresher window then you need the SSSTS Full Course. If you already hold a valid in date Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme certificate then you need the SSSTS Refresher to maintain current status and continue supervising legally and confidently.

To renew or train for the first time you can view course details and book online:

SSSTS Refresher Online Course
SSSTS Training Course