The SMSTS Refresher course aims to help site managers to:

• improve awareness of recent developments in construction, legislation and health, safety, welfare and environmental issues
• identify measures that will assist the practical implementation of responsibilities established by new legislation and working practices
• implement new guidance and industry best practice
• consolidate their understanding of responsibility and accountability for site health, safety, welfare and the environment.

The SMSTS Refresher course is only for delegates who have previously passed the 5 day SMSTS or subsequent refresher course, and hold a valid SMSTS certificate. Evidence must be provided to the training provider of their eligibility. If a delegate cannot provide a copy of their certificate, the CITB online card checker can be used to establish if a delegate currently holds a valid SMSTS certificate. If an individual cannot be located on the system and no evidence of their certificate can be found, they will have to attend the full SMSTS course.

Failure to attend the SMSTS Refresher course prior to the expiry of an existing certificate will require delegates to re-enter the scheme by completing the full SMSTS course if they wish to remain in the scheme

Duration

This is a 2 day course. Delegates are required to complete the full course (15 hours) to be eligible for certification.

Attendance

Delegates are required to attend all sessions in accordance with the course programme to achieve the necessary learning objectives to qualify for the certificate. If this is not possible, the delegate must enrol on a new, full 5 day course.

Assessment

Successful completion of the course requires the delegate to pass an exam paper at the end of the course. 

Exam Paper

The paper consists of 25 questions, selected by CITB, covering all aspects of the course. The exam paper must be taken at the end of the course.

Each paper has:

• 18 multiple choice questions (each worth one mark)

• 7 questions in multi-response or short written answer format (each worth two marks)

The two mark questions all relate to the seven health and safety focus areas. The higher marks recognise and reward the increased complexity of the question and response required.

The seven health and safety focus areas are founded on construction ill health, injury and fatality statistics:

• Working at height 

• Vehicles/pedestrians

• Manual handling

• Asbestos

• Dust

• Noise

• Vibration.

The exam pass mark is 81% (26 out of 32).

The exam lasts for 35 minutes and must be completed within this time under exam conditions. Delegates are permitted to use the Construction Site Safety – The Comprehensive Guide (GE700) Publication for the last 15 minutes of the exam.

The exam paper forms part of the overall assessment as to whether the delegate has successfully achieved the Site Management Safety Training Scheme-Refresher and demonstrated both knowledge of the relevant statutory provisions as well as the application of management in respect of health and safety issues.

When a delegate scores less than 69% (22 correct answers out of 32) in the final exam, the delegate must attend the SMSTS refresher course again before they are permitted to re-sit the exam.

Re-sits

If a delegate has gained between 72%–78% (23, 24 or 25 out of 32) in the exam, then they may re-sit the examination one further time.

The re-sit may take place on the same day (no charge) or by attending the final day of another course within a 90-day period (chargeable fee payable in advance). The delegate is not obliged to re-do the whole course. If a delegate fails the re-sit, they must take the SMSTS refresher course again.

On successful completion of the course, all paperwork will be submitted to CITB Site Safety Plus who will issue electronic certificates Certification for this course is valid for 5 years. To remain certified in this area, you will need to retake the course before the expiry date.

The recommended minimum number of delegates per course is 4 and the mandatory maximum number of delegates per course is 20.

We are a CITB ATO. Companies that are CITB registered can claim for each candidate on this course. If you supply the company CITB levy number, this will be added to the paperwork and submitted following the course.