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Top Accredited Health and Safety Courses for UK Construction Workers

Keeping yourself and your team safe on site isn’t optional, it’s essential. Whether you’re a labourer just starting out, a supervisor stepping up, or a site manager running multiple projects, the right accredited training protects lives, reduces risk, and keeps your CV (and your site access) valid.

Here’s an in-depth guide to the top accredited health & safety courses for construction workers in the UK. We’ll look at what they cover, who they suit, how long they take, and where they fit in the career ladder.

Why choose accredited construction courses?

Accredited courses (CITB, NEBOSH, IOSH, PASMA, IPAF, HSE-aligned first aid, etc.) are recognised across industry and by employers. They usually meet legal and industry expectations, can be required for site cards (CSCS), and are more likely to be accepted by major contractors and insurers.

If you want to work on modern construction sites or step into supervisory/management roles, accredited training will save you headaches and open doors.

1. CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)

  • Who it’s for: Site managers, project managers, senior supervisors.
  • What you learn: Health, safety, welfare and environmental issues on construction sites, legal responsibilities, risk management, contractor management, CDM 2015 awareness and practical site supervision.
  • Duration & format: Typically a 5-day classroom course (there’s also a refresher SMSTS-R).
  • Why it matters: SMSTS is the industry standard for site managers and is often required or strongly preferred by main contractors for management positions.

Learn more about this course and book here.

2. CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)

  • Who it’s for: Site supervisors and those aspiring to supervisory roles.
  • What you learn: Supervisory responsibilities, practical application of safety law, risk assessment basics, site inductions, toolbox talks and how to monitor and intervene to maintain safe working.
  • Duration: Usually 2 days (with a refresher available).
  • Why choose it: SSSTS is a practical, short course that equips supervisors with the knowledge to keep teams safe and compliant on site. Many firms expect supervisors to hold this certification.

Learn more about this course and book here.

3. NEBOSH National General Certificate (NGC) in Occupational Health & Safety

  • Who it’s for: Supervisors, managers, safety reps, and those wanting a robust health & safety foundation with career progression in mind.
  • What you learn: Broad occupational health & safety principles, risk control, incident investigation, fire safety, and the building blocks to progress to higher H&S qualifications.
  • Duration & format: Generally 10–12 taught days (or blended/e-learning plus assessments). Widely respected and recognised globally.
  • Why it matters: NEBOSH NGC is often listed by employers as a preferred qualification for safety roles and is a stepping stone to professional recognition.

Learn more about this course and book here.

4. IOSH Working Safely & IOSH Managing Safely

  • Who it’s for: Working Safely is for all workers who need a practical awareness of H&S (one-day). Managing Safely is for line managers and supervisors who need to manage safety risks (typically 3 days).
  • What you learn: Practical hazard recognition, risk control, legal duties, and how to embed safe systems of work.
  • Why it matters: IOSH courses are concise, well-structured and ideal for staff who need accredited awareness (Working Safely) or managers who must implement H&S systems (Managing Safely).

Learn more about these courses and book here.

5. CITB Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Test (CSCS Card Requirement)

  • Who it’s for: Almost everyone who applies for many CSCS cards.
  • What it is: A computer-based test (at the level appropriate to the worker’s role) that checks understanding of basic site H&S topics. Many CSCS card applications require a pass within the last two years (or an approved alternative).
  • Why it matters: Passing the HS&E test (and meeting other evidence criteria) is commonly required to obtain or renew CSCS cards; the de-facto site access card on UK construction sites.

Please feel free to get in touch to book your test here.

6. First Aid at Work (FAW) & Emergency First Aid at Work

Who it’s for: Designated first aiders on site and anyone who wants to be able to respond to emergencies.
What you learn: Life-saving skills (resuscitation, choking, severe bleeding, shock), how to assess incidents and manage casualties until help arrives. FAW (3-day) meets HSE requirements for higher-risk workplaces; Emergency First Aid is a shorter alternative for lower-risk settings.
Why it matters: Having adequately trained first aiders is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and is crucial on construction sites where injuries can be serious.

Learn more about the first aid at work course and the emergency first aid at work course.

7. PASMA - Mobile Access Tower (Scaffold Tower) Training

  • Who it’s for: Workers who assemble/use mobile access towers (indoor or outdoor).
  • What you learn: Safe assembly, inspection, use, movement and dismantling of mobile access towers.
  • Duration: Often a one-day practical course with a theory element.
    Why it matters: PASMA training demonstrates competence for a common work-at-height task; many employers require it for people using tower scaffolds.

8. IPAF - MEWP (Cherry Picker / Scissor Lift) Operator Training

  • Who it’s for: Anyone who operates mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs).
  • What you learn: Machine categories, pre-use checks, safe operation, working at height controls and practical driving/operating. Successful delegates get a PAL card (Powered Access Licence) valid typically for five years.
  • Why it matters: IPAF is widely recognised by employers and insurers; operating MEWPs without appropriate training is unsafe and often grounds for exclusion from sites.

9. Asbestos Awareness & Demolition/Refurbishment-Specific Training

  • Who it’s for: Anyone who might disturb asbestos during refurbishment or demolition.
  • What you learn: Identifying potential asbestos, safe working practices, emergency procedures and legal responsibilities. For licensed asbestos removal work, higher-level (licensed) training is mandatory.
  • Why it matters: Asbestos exposure can cause fatal disease; awareness training is a legal and practical necessity for many construction activities.

10. Specialist Permits & Short Safety Courses

Many specialist tasks require short accredited courses to control risk. For example, confined space entry, working at height (harness use), manual handling, abrasive wheels safety, traffic management banksman/signaller training. These are often one-day or half-day modules and should be chosen to match the specific risks on your site.

We offer a selection of the above courses here.

How to Choose the Right Course for You or Your Crew

1 .Match Course Level to Role

Labourers: HS&E test, IOSH Working Safely, FAW. Supervisors: SSSTS plus NEBOSH or IOSH Managing Safely. Managers: SMSTS plus NEBOSH/Construction-specific NEBOSH (if pursuing a health & safety career).

2. Check Accreditation & Provider

Use CITB, NEBOSH, IOSH, PASMA, IPAF or HSE-recognised providers. Confirm certificates, card validity (e.g., PAL for IPAF, PASMA cards), and any refresher intervals.

3. Consider Budget/Time

Short awareness courses (1 day) cost less but won’t replace the depth of NEBOSH or SMSTS. Some CITB grants may apply for employer-sponsored training.

4. Check Site Requirements

Major contractors often specify minimum certifications (SMSTS, SSSTS, CSCS card level). Check pre-qualification documents or tender requirements before booking.

Refresher Training & Card Validity

  • Many courses have recommended refresher periods (e.g. SMSTS refresher, SSSTS refresher, IPAF PAL typically valid 5 years).
  • For CSCS, the CITB HS&E test must usually be passed within a specific recent timeframe to apply for certain cards, always check the current CSCS rules before applying.
  • Stay on top of refresher windows so certificates and site access don’t lapse.

Practical Tips for Booking and Getting the Most from Training

  • Ask for Blended Options: Many providers offer e-learning theory combined with practical days to reduce time away from site.
  • Group Bookings Save Money: If you’re an employer, ask training centres about company rates or CITB grant eligibility.
  • Keep Records Digital: Scan/store certificates and cards so you can share proof quickly during audits or when applying for CSCS cards.
  • Check Learning Outcomes and Assessment Methods: Some qualifications are exam-based (NEBOSH), others rely on practical assessment (PASMA, IPAF). Pick the format that suits delegates.

Final Thoughts

Safety training is an investment: it reduces accidents, protects your team and keeps your company competitive when bidding for work. For most on-site roles, start with the CITB HS&E test or IOSH Working Safely and a recognised first aid course; then layer on role-specific qualifications (SSSTS/SMSTS, NEBOSH, PASMA, IPAF) as you progress.

Accredited training is the quickest way to prove competence, satisfy client requirements, and most importantly, keep people safe.

Why Choose PIP Services for Your Construction Training?

We offer a wide range of construction NVQs, and by completing one you can apply for specific CSCS cards to prove to employers you have the relevant skills and certification to carry out more specialised construction roles. A natural step is to complete a relevant course to obtain your CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card and increase your earning potential as a skilled worker.

Our NVQ Level 2 construction qualifications include;

There are also higher levels of construction NVQs designed for those wanting to obtain their Black CSCS Card and progress into supervisor and senior management roles. The courses we offer include.

About Us

We’re an accredited CITB, NEBOSH, IOSH, IWFM & CITB training centre as well as a ProQual approved NVQ centre.

We provided a wide national training solution that specialise in delivering NVQs from Level 1 to Level 7 covering trades such as carpentry right through to Construction Supervision, Construction Management and Health and Safety.

Since launching in 2005 we have rapidly progressed with thousands of clients coming through our training centre in the heart of Dagenham each year, as well as providing online options where available.

We are rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot and you can read our reviews here. If you would like speak to us about your training needs, please get in touch using the button below.

 

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