What is the CITB Tunnelling Safety Training Scheme (TSTS)?

The CITB have recently added the Tunnelling Safety Training Scheme (TSTS) course to their range of Site Safety Plus courses. Dedicated solely to those working in tunnel construction, the TSTS course is a face to face course that focuses on health, safety and potential hazards within this industry.

Why was the TSTS course created?

Creation of this course has been a project by 3 major parties; CITB, the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) and TunnelSkills. Before the TSTS course was launched, there were 3 different options for those in tunnel construction. These were the:

• Tunnel Safety Card (TSC)
• Underground Safety Passport (USP)
• CITB HS&E specialist tunnelling test

Delegates often found it confusing as to which training option was the right one for their needs. As such, creation of the TSTS course in part was to streamline these options and create just the one course to become the new industry agreed solution for training anyone working in, or wishing to work in, tunnel construction.

Prior to launch, an initial pilot scheme was released with companies such as Ground Engineering, TfL and Thames Tideway Tunnels taking part; with overall positive feedback, the course is now an integral part of the CITB Site Safety Plus range.

What does the TSTS course cover?

The TSTS course focuses largely on health and safety in the tunnel construction industry as well as the potential hazards faced by workers in this environment. There are a number of different topics contained in this one day course, including:

• Safe working in confined spaces
• Specific tunnel plant and equipment
• Emergency procedures in a tunnel environment
• Shaft and surface operations
• Occupational health/PPE & first aid
• Control of Underground Plant during Tunnelling Operations
• Environmental impact of tunnelling

Course delivery and testing

Whilst there is no online option for the TSTS course, it is a highly interactive one day course which includes group work, case studies and classroom discussions. Final testing is done via a multiple choice test and successful candidates will receive the Site Safety Plus certification for this industry.

CITB grants are available for Levy payers.

Booking onto a TSTS course

If you wish to book onto a TSTS course, you can see all of our available course dates here: https://www.bookmycourse.co.uk/courses/citb_tsts_tunnelling_safety_training_scheme_577/ as well as the wider range of CITB Site Safety Plus courses here: https://www.bookmycourse.co.uk/courses/citb-site-safety/

Courses are available only with accredited CITB trainers at locations across the UK.