Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness Course: What to Expect

Health and safety awareness is essential on every construction site. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to refresh your knowledge, the Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness course can help you understand common site risks and the steps workers can take to reduce them.

Delivered through CITB’s Site Safety Plus scheme, this introductory course is designed to give construction workers a practical grounding in health and safety. It is not a substitute for site-specific induction or specialist training, but it can help you recognise hazards, follow safe working procedures and contribute to a safer workplace.

Who is the course for?

The course is generally suited to people who work, or are preparing to work, in construction. This may include labourers, new entrants and other site-based workers who need a basic understanding of their health and safety responsibilities.

It can also be useful for anyone who wants to learn more about everyday construction risks. Course entry requirements and the training available can vary between providers, so check the details before booking.

What does the course cover?

Course content is intended to build awareness of the risks commonly found on construction sites and ways to manage them. Topics may include:

• the responsibilities of employers and workers
• common site hazards and how to report them
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• working at height and preventing falls
• site traffic and moving vehicles
• manual handling and safe use of equipment
• fire safety and emergency procedures
• good housekeeping and keeping work areas tidy
• health risks such as dust, noise and hazardous substances

The precise syllabus and teaching approach may differ, so confirm the course information with the training provider.

How is the course delivered?

The Health and Safety Awareness course is commonly delivered as a one-day programme. Training may take place in a classroom or through another format offered by an approved provider. Learning usually combines instruction with discussion, examples and assessment activities.

At the end of the course, participants must complete the required assessment. The provider can explain the assessment format, what identification to bring and what happens if a learner needs additional support.

Is the course connected to the CSCS Labourer card?

Successful completion of the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course may meet the training requirement for a CSCS Labourer card application. Applicants must also meet the relevant CSCS criteria, including passing the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test within the required period. Requirements can change, so check the latest guidance from CSCS and CITB before applying.

Completing the course does not automatically provide a CSCS card. The card application is a separate process, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all current requirements.

Why take a health and safety awareness course?

Construction sites can involve changing conditions, hazardous materials, heavy equipment and work at height. A clear understanding of basic safety principles helps workers recognise when something may be unsafe and know how to respond.

The course can help participants:

• identify common hazards before work begins
• understand why site rules and safe systems of work matter
• use PPE appropriately
• know how to raise a safety concern or report an incident
• play an active part in protecting themselves and others

Choosing a training provider

Before booking, check that the course is the CITB Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness course and confirm how it will be delivered. Ask about dates, fees, assessment arrangements, certificates and any support available. If you need the course for a particular role or card application, verify that it meets the relevant requirements.

Building safer sites starts with awareness

The Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness course offers a useful introduction to construction health and safety. It helps workers understand everyday risks and their role in preventing harm. Combined with site-specific induction, supervision and ongoing training, that awareness can support safer working practices across the construction industry.

 

Essential Tips for Site Safety and Health Awareness: Staying Protected and Informed

1. Wear the required PPE at all times.
2. Follow site signs and safety procedures.
3. Report hazards, near misses and injuries promptly.
4. Know emergency exits and first-aid locations.
5. Refresh your health and safety awareness training regularly.

Wear the required PPE at all times.

Wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever you are on site, and make sure it is suitable for the task and fits correctly. Items such as a hard hat, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves and eye or hearing protection can help reduce the risk of injury, but only when used properly and kept in good condition. Follow site rules, check your equipment before use and replace anything damaged or worn.

Follow site signs and safety procedures.

Always follow site signs and safety procedures, as they provide important instructions about hazards, restricted areas, required PPE and emergency arrangements. Take time to read signs before starting work, obey barriers and warning notices, and ask your supervisor if anything is unclear. Site rules are there to protect you and everyone around you, so never ignore or bypass them—even when a task seems familiar or straightforward.

Report hazards, near misses and injuries promptly.

Report hazards, near misses and injuries promptly so they can be assessed and dealt with before someone is harmed. A near miss may reveal a serious risk, even if nobody was injured, while timely reporting helps site managers investigate what happened and prevent it recurring. Follow your site’s reporting procedure, tell your supervisor or the designated safety representative, and provide clear details of where and when the issue occurred. If there is immediate danger, warn others and move to a safe place without putting yourself at risk.

Know emergency exits and first-aid locations.

Before work begins, take time to identify the site’s emergency exits, escape routes, assembly point and first-aid facilities. Knowing where to go and who to contact can save valuable time if an incident occurs. If routes or facilities are unclear, blocked or have changed, ask your supervisor and report the issue promptly.

Refresh your health and safety awareness training regularly.

Refresh your health and safety awareness training regularly to keep your knowledge current and reinforce safe working habits. Site conditions, equipment, work practices and guidance can change, so revisiting key topics can help you recognise hazards, follow procedures and respond appropriately. Ask your employer or training provider when a refresher is suitable, and remember that refresher training should complement—not replace—site-specific inductions and briefings.