Health & Safety Awareness (HSA)
Whether you’re just starting out or preparing to join the workforce, get the qualification you need with this CITB-approved Health & Safety Awareness (HSA) course from Smas Worksafe.
This one-day online course is an ideal foundation for achieving a Green CSCS labourer card. You’ll gain an understanding of potential construction site hazards and how everyone can keep the workplace safe.
About the HSA course
The Health & Safety Awareness training course is a one-day course that Smas Worksafe offers entirely online. We have a variety of dates available to book and you can complete the course from the comfort of your own home. At the end of the day’s training, there will be an exam.
The exam consists of 25 questions with a pass mark of 80% and the certificate is valid for five years. If after two years the holder hasn’t applied for and received their full CSCS card, the course will need to be renewed.
The course price is £120 exc. VAT. Don’t forget you can claim money back from the CITB.
Who is the HSA course for?
This course is an ideal foundation for those wishing to obtain an industry site card. It’s also an alternative route to the QCF Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in Construction Environment for the CSCS Labourer card.
What are the benefits of the HSA course?
- Industry-recognised certificate – having this qualification shows employers and clients that you’ve got the basic Health & Safety knowledge you need to work safely on-site and provide a gateway into the sector.
- Looking to take your career to the next level? The HSA qualification is your first step toward a CSCS Labourers Card (Green Card).
- Improve safety performance – gain an awareness of Health & Safety when working on a construction site and understand your responsibility for looking after yourself and others.
Module one – Legal and Management
- Understand the primary legislation common to safe working practices
- List the responsibilities of the employer/ employee
- Identify key documents that form a safe system of work
- State the methods of sharing information and knowledge
- Understand the key roles of a HSE enforcement officer
- State the common causes of accidents and incidents
Module two – Health and Welfare
- List the common causes of ill health within the construction industry
- First aid emergency procedures
- Hazardous substances
- Asbestos
- Dust and fumes
- Noise and vibration
- Manual handling
Module three – General Safety
- Identify the safety signs and signals on site
- Fire prevention and control
- Electricity
- Plant and work equipment
- Lifting operations and lifting equipment
Module four – High Risk Activities
- Working at height regulations
- Excavations
- Underground and overhead services
- Confined spaces
- Temporary works
Module five – Environment
- Environmental awareness
- Pollution, waste materials and nuisance
What will you learn?
This course highlights potential hazards when working on site and provides practical advice on keeping yourself and your colleagues safe. At the end of the course you’ll have an understanding of:
- The need to prevent accidents
- Health & Safety law
- How your role fits into the control and management of the site
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Performing safely and asking for advice
- How to report unsafe acts to prevent an accident
The exam is made up of 25 multiple-choice questions and four safety critical questions. The minimum pass rate for the exam is 80%.
Remember, you can get ready to take your assessment with our free mock test here.
HSA certificate
On completion of the online training course, you’ll receive an HSA certificate,
How long does an HSA certificate last?
An HSA certificate lasts for five years before it needs to be renewed.
Applicants should be competent in English and must also have access to a computer with a broadband internet connection and a camera. Please see the system requirements for more information.
How many questions are there in the HSA exam?
The HSA exam is made up of 25 multiple-choice questions and four safety critical questions. The four safety critical questions must all be answered correctly to pass the exam. The pass mark for the exam is 80%.
How many days is the HSA course?
The HSA course is a one-day course and you’re required to retake the course every five years.
Can you do an HSA course online?
Yes, HSA courses can be booked online and will be carried out via an online meeting app. The course will cover the same modules as it would if it were carried out face-to-face and it will be led by a CITB-qualified instructor. The one-day course costs £120 per attendee.
What happens if you fail the HSA?
If you fail the HSA exam, you can be offered an immediate re-sit which you can take on the same day. However, should you fail the re-sit, you will need to enrol for an HSA reassessment within 90 days of the original course date at an additional charge. Once you pass, you will then be awarded the certificate as normal.
Do you have a mock test I can try?
Yes, we have curated 10 sample questions which you can use for free to test your knowledge. You can take the mock test by clicking here.
What does an HSA course cover?
- Module 1 – Legal and Management
- Module 2 – Health & Welfare
- Module 3 – General Safety
- Module 4 – High-Risk Activities
- Module 5 – Environment
Want a helping hand with the cost of training? Grants are provided for employers in the construction industry to train their workers, helping to maintain Health & Safety standards on construction sites.
What is the CITB Grants Scheme?
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) pays grants for the achievement of approved short-duration courses – this includes the Site Supervision Training Scheme (SSSTS) and SSSTS Refresher, Site Manager Safety Training (SMSTS) and Health & Safety Awareness (HSA), Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course (TWSTC) and the Temporary Works Coordinator Training Course (TWCTC).
The Grants Scheme is funded by Industry through the CITB Levy and aims to ensure these funds are invested in core construction skills to meet Industry needs. You can apply for your grant using their online form.
Who can claim this grant?
You can claim grants if you are an employer registered with CITB and send a Levy Return to CITB by 30 November each year. Small employers that don’t need to pay the levy can still claim grants.
Providing the person is working for you at the time of their training, you can apply for grants for HSA courses undertaken by:
- Directly employed staff
- Subcontractors