App 03 Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) Course

Introduction
Aims and objectives
Assessment
Delegate numbers
Course attendance
Course progression
Course publications
Notes to Training Providers
Suggested timetable
End-of-course examination rules for the course

1. Introduction

This two-day course is intended for those who have, or are about to acquire, supervisory responsibilities. It provides supervisors with an understanding of health, safety, welfare and environmental issues, as well as their legal responsibilities relevant to their work activities. It will highlight the requirement to promote health and safety to supervise effectively.

This course is endorsed by the United Kingdom Contractors Group as the standard training for all supervisors working on UKCG sites and, as such, the course must be delivered as laid out in the following programme.

2. Aims and objectives

The course aims to ensure that all those given supervisory responsibilities understand:

why they are carrying out their identified duties
what is expected of them and
to ensure that they contribute to the safety of the workplace.

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

understand the problems of the industry
have an understanding of how health and safety law is structured and how it applies to supervisors
identify how their supervisory role fits in with the management structure in controlling the site safely
carry out risk assessments and understand the need for method statements
carry out effective site inductions, toolbox talks and method statement briefings
be able to monitor site activities effectively
understand the importance of timely intervention when bad practice is identified.

3. Assessment

The method of assessment will be by multiple-choice questions at the end of the course as well as being expected to be interactive during the course.

4. Delegate numbers

The maximum number of delegates per course will be 20.

5. Course attendance

Delegates are required to attend both sessions, since without full attendance and achievement in the examination the Construction Site Supervisors’ Safety Certificate cannot be made.

Delegates must attend the days in order and, where not on consecutive days, must complete the course within two weeks. Delegates unable to attend both days due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. certificated sickness) will need to enrol onto a new course in order to maintain continuity of learning outcomes and attend both days again.

6. Course progression

This course is an ideal foundation for obtaining a basic understanding of health and safety duties and responsibilities for junior management, and upon successful completion of this course, a natural progression would be the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course.

Existing site managers, agents, surveyors and persons holding positions of managerial control should attend the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course.

7. Course publications

Site Supervision Simplified	GE706 }	mandatory
Tool Box Talks	GT700 }	for in-house courses, own company tool box talk materials may be used
Shattered Lives	DVD070 }	mandatory – Tutor copy to be shown on day two

8. Notes to training providers:

Not all sections of GE706 have been included in the suggested programme. Training providers may adjust the programme to meet delegate needs provided, so that the aims and objectives of the course are met.
Copies of the proposed programme changes, if any, must be submitted prior to course delivery.
Homework between day one and day two is recommended for revision for final examination; also toolbox talk, risk assessment, method statement, presentation exercise, which are intended to provide delegates with the opportunity of demonstrating their communication skills in front of an audience.
Where there are presentations to be made by delegates the programme should be adjusted to allow sufficient time, including time for tutor feedback.
The examination paper number will be notified when the course booking is accepted by Cskills Awards.

9. Suggested timetable

Day one

Time	Subject	Syllabus	References
08.30	1.0 Course administration	Registration and domestics in accordance with venue requirements.
08.45	2.0 Course introduction 2.1 Aims and objectives	Introduce GE706 ‘Site Supervision Simplified’. To understand: the problems of the industry: accident record, itinerant workforce how the supervisory role fits in within the site management structure how to use GE706 chapter checklists as part of their daily duties.	GE706 intro
	2.2 The role of the supervisor	Exercise: pairs of delegates produce a short list of the things a supervisor does on site. Exercise conclusion to include the following supervisory key functions: leading by example communicating the safety message ensuring the safety and welfare of people on site inputting ideas in to risk assessment and controls undertaking inspections maintaining records.	GE706 intro GE706 Chapter 16
10.30	3.0 Health and safety law 3.1 Health and safety law	Main areas of law: criminal civil. Explanation of: acts regulations approved codes of practice guidance – HSE/industry.	GE706 Chapter 01
	3.2 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act	Sections 2 to 4 and 6 to 9.	L1 to HASWA
	3.3 Health and safety enforcement	Criminal law, court powers (fines and/or custodial sentences). Power of inspectors. Improvement notice. Prohibition notice.	GE706 Chapter 01
11.15	4.0 Safe systems of work 4.1 Hazard identification	Definition of a hazard: anything with the potential to cause harm, associated with: articles substances plant or machines working environment other aspects of work organisation. Hazards: four main groups: Physical: slips, trips and falls fire tools, machines and equipment electricity noise. Biological: micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) insects (mites, parasites) human and animal waste sharps (needles, scalpels) Chemical: liquids (paints, solvents, oil, etc) dusts and fibres gases and vapours. Ergonomic.	GE706 Chapter 04
	4.2 Risk assessment	Definition of risk: the likelihood of a hazard causing harm and the nature and extent of the resulting harm. HSE Five Steps to Risk Assessment Identify the hazards: something with the potential to cause harm: physical chemical biological ergonomic. Establish who can be harmed and how: groups and individuals: employees visitors member of the public lone workers young people. Evaluate the risks: consider control measures already in place. Are we doing enough to prevent harm? Do we need to do more? What is the: likelihood? severity? Record your findings: Recording required only if you employ five or more employees. Significant findings (hazards and conclusions). Suitable and sufficient. Review and revise Ensure it remains valid and effective. Must consider changes to workplace, people, equipment, systems, etc. Hierarchy of risk controls. Controlling risks by: elimination/substitution reduction/control at source isolation (barriers/removal) containment (engineering controls) procedures, systems and training personal protective equipment (PPE) adoption of a safe method.	GE706 Chapter 04
	4.3 Method statement	What is it? How can it be communicated? Contents. Critical elements: who? what? why? where? when? how?	GE706 Chapter 04
	4.4 Principles of prevention	Avoid risks. Evaluate risks which cannot be avoided. Combat risks at source. Adapt work to the individual. Adapt to technical progress. Replace dangerous with non-dangerous. Coherent prevention policy. Collective measures. Appropriate instruction.	GE706 Chapter 04
	4.5 Special considerations	What categories of persons are deemed as special cases when preparing risk assessments? e.g. young persons. What are the considerations? e.g. enhanced supervision.	GE706 Chapter 04
12.00	5.0 Health and safety management 5.1 Safety policies	HSG65 Successful Health and Safety Management Main elements: policy organising planning and implementing measuring performance review and audit. Health and safety policy – why? Allows top management to demonstrate commitment. Sets aims and objectives on how health and safety will be managed. Legal requirement (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974). Contents of a health and safety policy: statement of intent: aims and objectives; resources organisation: responsibilities arrangements: systems and procedures.	HSG65 GE706 Chapter 03
	5.2 Measuring performance	Measuring performance against: company objectives/KPIs HSE statistics. How we measure: visual inspections/audits testing workforce understanding observing tasks being performed. Measurement records: training records CSCS/CPCS card audits injuries, near-misses, ill health induction records.	GE706 Chapter 03 GE706 Chapter 16
	5.3 Permit systems	What is the purpose of a permit system? How does a permit system control work? How can work be monitored and measured using permit systems?	GE706 Chapter 04
12.30	Lunch
13.30	6.0 Occupational health 6.1 Noise	Acute effects: acute acoustic trauma temporary threshold shift tinnitus. Chronic effects: permanent threshold shift noise induced hearing loss tinnitus. Other effects: irritability (stress) affects concentration and efficiency causes fatigue and accident proneness masks sounds that people may need to hear. Noise at Work Regulations: risk assessment reduction of the risk to hearing damage reduction of noise exposure starting with engineering controls provision and maintenance of hearing protection provision of information and training for employees manufacturers and others to provide ‘noise data’. Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Lower exposure action value (80db): carry out noise assessment make hearing protection available provide IIT ensure correct use. Upper exposure action value (85db): noise assessment reduce noise at source noise must be reduced ALARP limit employees exposure provide hearing protection designate hearing protection zones employees duty to use control measures IITs. Exposure limit value (87db): must not be exposed above this limit noise assessment (can take hearing protection into account) noise must be reduced ALARP.	GE706 Chapter 09
	6.2 Vibration	Sources of vibration: prolonged use of rotating hand tools used for cutting and grinding etc. percussive hand tools used for chipping, riveting, hammering and drilling etc. Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS): vibration white finger (VWF) Reynaud’s phenomenon carpal tunnel syndrome Control of Vibration at Work Regulations: daily exposure limit value 5.0m.s-2 is maximum allowable exposure daily exposure action value 2.5m.s-2: exposure above this requires assessment	GE706 Chapter 09
	6.3 Respiratory risks	Health risks and respiratory diseases Exposure limits Prevention measures plus RPE – selection and common failings Silica dust Silicosis is a growing problem (500 per year die) Common hazard: drilling, mixing, sanding, cutting and sweeping up Prevention: substitute, use extraction and wet cut, and always RPE Asbestos Types: white: chrysotile brown: amosite blue: crocidolite. Properties: excellent insulator, easy to use, fire protection. Applications: Asbestos cement: Sheeting, walls and roofs. Asbestos lagging: Pipes, boilers, lofts. Sprayed: structural steelwork, boilers, roofs. Asbestos insulation board (AIB): Walls, partitions, ceiling tiles.	GE706 Chapter 08
	6.4 Drugs and alcohol	Problems associated with drugs and alcohol in a high risk industry. Depressants. Increased risk? As a supervisor, what action would you take if you know someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol?	GE706 Chapter 07
	6.5 Dermatitis	Dermatitis affects the skin and can produce symptoms that range from uncomfortable to a severe health problem. Irritant contact dermatitis. Sensitising dermatitis.	GE706 Chapter 07
	6.6 Asthma	Occupational asthma can be contracted through breathing in dusts, fumes, or solvents. It causes irritation in the airways making it difficult to breathe. It causes chronic health defects.	GE706 Chapter 08
	6.7 Health monitoring	Health monitoring can be a very simple check by operatives themselves or more detailed monitoring by a competent person. Health monitoring/surveillance is required by law. MCG Occupational Health Strategy and toolbox talks.	GE706 Chapter 07
14.45	7.0 Fire prevention/control and other emergencies	Anatomy of fire: fuel: something to burn heat: to ignite the fuel oxygen: to sustain the fire. Types of fire: A Freely burning solids, e.g. wood B Flammable liquids, e.g. petrol C Flammable gases, e.g. propane D Flammable metals, e.g. magnesium F Cooking oils and fats Electrical fires are not classified.	GE706 Chapter 15
	7.1 Regulatory Reform (Fire Order) 2006	Risk assessment Responsible persons.	GE706 Chapter 15
	7.2 Fire Prevention (Fire Plan)	All workplaces must have a fire prevention strategy and fire plan Management of highly flammable liquids, gases and explosive atmospheres Causes of fires: arson faulty electrics misuse of equipment careless handling incorrect fuel storage articles too close to heat source. Sources of ignition: Welfare and cooking appliances electrical appliances and electrical distribution systems smokers and potential arson hot works chemicals space heaters and temporary lighting static electricity, friction.	GE706 Chapter 15
	7.3 Fire fighting	Every workplace must have means of raising the alarm. Means of communicating the content of the fire plan. Means for fighting the fire. Safe means of escape.	GE706 Chapter 15
	7.4 Raising the alarm and escape	What options are available for raising the alarm on a construction site? What makes a means of escape suitable?	GE706 Chapter 15
	7.5 Other emergencies	Emergencies associated with client’s undertaking e.g. chemical spill or bomb warning.	GE706 Chapters 10 and 22
15.30	8.0 Hazardous substances (COSHH)	COSHH. Five principles: The assessment of health risk. The control of exposure. Monitoring of employees exposure. Health surveillance. Information, instruction and training. Hierarchy of COSHH assessment: eliminate substitute local exhaust ventilation system screening off reduce number of personnel reduce time of exposure PPE. COSHH symbols: toxic or very toxic harmful corrosive irritant. Harmful substances: Mineral oils (diesel): dermatitis oil acne cancer. Chemicals (alkalis and chromates): dermatitis chrome ulceration. Cement and lime chronic dermatitis. Solvents and degreasers dissolve natural oils attack by bacteria. Protecting the worker: Use control measures. Use protective clothing and equipment: must be in good condition and cleaned regularly overalls, gloves, hardhats, goggles/glasses. Use barrier cream: proper application, limited protection. Use welfare facilities: personal hygiene, soap and water.	GE706 Chapter 10
16.00	9.0 Group exercise Risk assessment & method statements	Conduct a simple case study to demonstrate the principals and content involved in the development of method statements associated with site-specific risk assessment.
16.45	10.0 Presentation skills Delivering effective toolbox talks	Preparation: Think about what preparation is required before the talk. Consider effective training aids you could use to enhance the talk. Reason for giving the talk: Target all on site who would benefit from the training. Get the attention of operatives as quickly as possible, be enthusiastic and give a reason that will personally affect the audience. Enhance your intention; make the audience more attentive by telling a dramatic story related to the subject. Formalise your talk by delivering in stages. Decide on the key points that you wish to talk about. Delivery of the talk: your attitude is important, so apply the following to your teaching technique: Be positive: know your subject. Be firm: get the message across; don’t get side-tracked. Be confident: look at people; involve them in a two-way conversation. Be serious: health and safety is a serious subject so your overall approach should be professional and serious. Questioning technique: ask the question pause to give people time to think nominate who you want to answer confirm by further nomination. Conclusion: Allow yourself time to read through the relevant talk and decide which points are relevant for the operatives at your workplace. A good beginning and a good end are important. Confirm by question and answer technique. Don’t assume that you have all the knowledge on the subject. Don’t be tempted to read all the information from the talk – choose stages which are relevant to your site.
17.30	End of day one.

Day two

Time	Subject	Syllabus	References
08.30	11.0 CDM 11.1 Notification	Arrangements of the Regulations, parts 1 to 5 Notification.	L144 CDM ACoP GE706 Chapter 02
	11.2 Duty holders	Role of the client. Role of the designer. Role of the contractor. Role of the principal contractor. Role of the co-ordinator.	Construction-Skills industry guidance for each duty holder: CDM 07/01 to 07/05 inclusive GE706 Chapter 02
	11.3 Competence	Competence relating to the duty holder roles
11.4 Part 4	Part 4: Duties relating to health and safety on construction sites: Equivalent to the CHSW Regulations. Applies to all construction sites. Duties on every contractor and every other person who controls construction work. Duties R25 Every Contractor or Principal Contractor must comply with Part 4. Every person who controls the way construction is done must comply. Every person who works in construction has duties. R26 Safe place of work R27 Good order / security R28 Stability of structures R33 Reports of inspections (Refer also to Schedule 3) R34 Energy distribution R36 Traffic routes R37 Vehicles R38 Prevention of risk from fire etc R39 Emergency procedures R40 Emergency routes and exits R41 Fire detection/fighting R42 Fresh air R43 Temperature and weather protection R44 Lighting
	11.5 Welfare	Summarise requirements of Schedule 2 regarding welfare arrangements.	GE706 Chapter 07
10.00	12.0 Working at height 12.1 legislation (WAH Regs)	Work at Height Regulations: Definitions. Organisation and planning. Hierarchy of control. Avoidance of risk. Risk assessment. Hazards. Work equipment selection. Work equipment requirements: Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers Working platforms Scaffold Mobile towers Ladders Stepladders Soft landing systems, nets, airbags etc. Competence	GE706 Chapter 18
11.30	13.0 Personal protective equipment	Definition of PPE Maintenance Compatibility Suitability Information, instruction and training. Explain importance of provision of a demonstrable method of recognising supervisors on site e.g. distinctive coloured helmet or vest.	GE706 Chapter 11
12.00	14.0 Manual handling	Definition of manual handling? Manual handling operations regulations Avoid manual handling Assess operations Manual Handling assessment Task Individual Load Environment Information and training.	GE706 Chapter 17
12.30	15.0 Accidents and first aid 15.1 Definition of accidents	Definition and common causes of accidents RIDDOR notification and reporting requirements for: death over three-day injury dangerous occurrence major specified injury notifiable diseases.	GE706 Chapter 06
	15.2 First aid	Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
	15.3 Data Protection	Discuss application of Data Protection Act to accident reports/ book entries.
13.00	Lunch
14.00	16.0 Intervention skills and behaviour 16.1 Behaviour	Discuss the principles of achieving good behaviours and demonstrating leadership on construction sites. Show and discuss the CITB-ConstructionSkills DVD ‘Shattered Lives’ (DVD070). Behavioural issues: Habits building positive habits repeated exposure repetition and unconscious competence safety reminders motivation. ABC Antecedents (20% effective) Behaviour Consequences (80% effective) Visual messages Lead by example First impressions 65% visual 25% auditory 10% kinaesthetic. Repeat positive visual messages Verbal and non-verbal communication 7% words 38% tonality 55% body language. Trance states Alpha sleep Automatic pilot Time v risk Choosing risk is most popular.	GE706 Chapter 05
	16.2 Intervention skills	Don’t walk by / consequences. Reasons: social, moral, legal. Worker engagement and involvement. Be aware of personal drivers along with worker’s personal drivers: how this affects others. Positive/confident attitude – be firm, be confident, be serious. Discipline.
15.00	17.0 Intervention skills Exercise	Group flipchart work on typical/common instances on site and the thought process behind persuading individuals to think about the potential consequences when not acted upon.
15.45	18.0 Examination	Multiple choice test
16.15	19.0 Course review / closure
16.30	End of day two.

10. End-of-course examination rules for the course

Refer to Section 3 Registering courses and marking Delegates’ performance

The examination paper is compulsory and consists of 25 multiple-choice questions selected by Cskills Awards. It forms the basis of assessment as to whether or not a delegate has successfully achieved a satisfactory level of understanding to be awarded the Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) certificate. The examination lasts for 30 minutes and must be completed within this time. Delegates are permitted to use the GE706 Site Safety Simplified publication for the last ten minutes of the examination period. The examination pass mark is 72%.

Where a delegate has achieved 64%–68% in the examination, the delegate may re-sit the multiple-choice examination by attending another course on the final day and subsequent arrangements will be at the delegate’s own expense. The training provider must make the arrangements with the delegate and ensure that the same examination paper is not used twice. The delegate must re-sit the examination within 90 days of the last day previously attended. A charge may be made to the delegate; however, this fee is left entirely to the discretion of the training provider. The training provider may also have additional costs to be recovered from the delegate and this should be agreed in advance.

Should the delegate fail for a second time, that person will need to attend a full two-day course again.