CITB Health & Safety Awareness Course (1 Day)

The CITB Health and Safety Awareness course covers the following key modules:

Introduction to Site Safety Plus

• History and purpose of the Site Safety Plus scheme
• Overview of CITB-ConstructionSkills
• Introduction to construction health, safety, and environment
• The importance of the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test

General Health and Safety Responsibilities

• Health and safety law and legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers and employees
• Communication and consultation processes
• Company health and safety policies
• Organisation and planning for safety
• The importance of risk assessments
• Understanding and following method statements
• Purpose and content of toolbox talks

Identifying and Controlling Hazards

• Common construction site hazards
• How to identify potential dangers in the workplace
• Understanding control measures and hierarchy of controls
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and use
• Site-specific hazards and precautions

Safe Working Practices

• Working at height safely
• Excavation and groundwork hazards
• Electrical safety awareness
• Manual handling and lifting techniques
• Use of work equipment safely
• Confined spaces awareness
• Fire prevention and emergency procedures

Health and Welfare

• Occupational health issues in construction
• Protection from harmful substances (dust, chemicals, fumes)
• Noise, vibration, and long-term health effects
• Welfare facilities and site amenities
• Reporting work-related ill health

Environmental Considerations

• Environmental responsibilities on construction sites
• Waste management and disposal
• Pollution prevention
• Sustainable construction practices

Accident Prevention and Reporting

• Understanding how accidents happen
• The cost of accidents (human and financial)
• Near miss reporting and learning from incidents
• Accident investigation and reporting procedures
• Emergency response procedures

Delegates are assessed through a formal examination at the end of the course:

Examination Format

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Format: Closed book multiple-choice examination
• Number of questions: 25 multiple-choice questions
• Pass mark: 80% (20 out of 25 questions correct) OR 83% (25 out of 30 marks) depending on marking scheme
• Safety-critical questions: All 3 safety-critical questions MUST be answered correctly to pass
• Question selection: Questions are selected by CITB from a standardized question bank

Continuous Assessment

Throughout the day, delegates are also continuously assessed on:

• Attendance and participation (must complete full 7.5 hours)
• Engagement in discussions and activities
• Understanding demonstrated during the course

The CITB Health and Safety Awareness course is delivered through interactive teaching methods:

Teaching Approach

• Classroom-based learning – Led by experienced CITB-approved tutors
• Group discussions – Interactive sessions encouraging participation
• Practical examples – Real-world construction scenarios and case studies
• Visual aids – Videos, presentations, and demonstration materials
• Question and answer sessions – Opportunities to clarify understanding throughout the day

Delivery Options Available

• Open courses – Join scheduled public courses with other delegates
• In-house training – Delivered at your company premises for your team
• Virtual classroom – Online delivery via Zoom or similar platform with live instructor
• eCourse option – Self-paced online learning (approximately 4 hours study time) followed by online examination

Language Requirements

Minimum entry requirement: Delegates must have a good comprehension of both spoken and written English to understand the course content and complete the examination successfully.

No Formal Qualifications Required

• No previous construction experience necessary
• No prior health and safety qualifications needed
• Suitable for complete beginners to the industry

What Delegates Need to Bring

• Valid photographic identification – Passport or driving licence (required on the day)
• National Insurance number – May be required for certification and CITB records
• Willingness to learn – Positive attitude and engagement throughout the training

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and examination, delegates will receive:

• CITB Site Safety Plus certificate – Accredited certification demonstrating successful completion
• Digital certificate – Issued by CITB and sent via email (processing time: up to 8 weeks)
• Recognition on Construction Training Register – Your achievement is recorded on the national database

Certificate Validity

• Valid for: 5 years from the date of issue
• Renewal: Must retake the full Health and Safety Awareness course before expiry to maintain certification
• Verification: Certificates can be checked on the Online CITB Card Checker at any time

Progression Pathway

After completing the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course, delegates can:

• Apply for CSCS Labourer Card – This qualification fulfills 50% of the CSCS card requirements; delegates must also pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment touchscreen test
• Progress to supervisory training – Move on to the 2-day CITB Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) course
• Gain site access – Meet health and safety requirements for working on most UK construction sites
• Build on knowledge – Continue professional development with specialist construction training

CITB Training courses are essential for:

Primary Target Audience

• New entrants to the construction and civil engineering industries
• Construction operatives and labourers
• Anyone seeking to obtain a CSCS Labourer Card (Green Card)
• Workers requiring site access to large construction projects
• Apprentices starting their construction career

Also Suitable For

• Experienced workers requiring refresher training
• Those returning to construction work after a break
• Workers moving from other industries into construction
• Subcontractors and self-employed tradespeople
• Anyone working on or visiting construction sites regularly

Course Duration

1 full day (7.5 hours) – Delegates must complete the full duration to be eligible for certification

Maximum Class Size

Typically 8-16 delegates per course to ensure quality interactive learning and individual attention

Course Materials

All course materials, including the CITB publication GE707 (Construction Site Safety handbook), are provided on the day and included in the course fee

Support and Guidance

• Trainer contact details provided for post-course questions
• Additional support available from Marvel Training team
• Access to online resources and reference materials

What Makes This Course Valuable

• Industry-recognized qualification – Accepted across the UK construction sector
• Essential for site access – Required for most large construction projects
• Foundation for career progression – First step toward supervisory and management roles
• Practical and relevant – Focused on real construction site hazards and solutions
• Improves employability – Demonstrates commitment to safety and professionalism method statements** – Understand the purpose of method statements and the importance of following them during work
• Apply safe working practices – Demonstrate knowledge of how to work safely across various construction activities and environments
• Recognise personal limitations – Know when a task is beyond their competence and understand the importance of seeking guidance

Communication and Consultation

• Participate in site communications – Understand the importance of toolbox talks, site inductions, and safety briefings
• Engage in consultation processes – Recognise their role in health and safety consultation on site
• Report concerns effectively – Know how and to whom to report health and safety concerns or incidents