Posted on: September 7, 2023

SST Certification: How Do You Get an NYC SST Card?

SST Certification: How Do You Get an NYC SST Card?

Boss saying you need a new SST card before you can start your job?

The Site Safety Training program is fairly new to New York City, so you may not have heard of it. It's the most stringent legal requirement for construction safety training in the country.

In this blog, we’ll cover any questions you may have about New York City SST cards, including who needs them and how to get one.

What Is an SST Card NYC?

"SST card" stands for "Site Safety Training card." It's sometimes called SST certification, and it serves as proof that someone has met the safety training requirements for most construction workers in New York City.

You'll occasionally see it referred to as an OSHA SST card or as OSHA 40 NYC, but the Site Safety Training program isn't required or endorsed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. There are two reasons it's often associated with OSHA. One, OSHA generally gets used as shorthand for any workplace safety training. Two, OSHA Outreach courses are used to fulfill part of the SST requirements.

Who Needs a Site Safety Training Card?

The law says that Site Safety Training cards are required for workers and supervisors on job sites that require a Site Safety Plan, such as construction superintendents, site safety coordinators, or site safety managers.

But what does that mean?

Essentially, Site Safety Training applies to most construction or demolition sites in New York City.

If your work is limited to 1-, 2-, or 3-family homes, then you may not need an SST card.

Do Independent Subcontractors Need an SST Card in NYC?

There is no company size or employment status exemption to Local Law 196.

If you intend to work construction or demolition on a qualifying job site, you must have an SST card.

How to Get an SST Card

First, you might want to confirm with your employer that you need one. It may not be required for certain site workers, like flag persons and security officers. Your employer can also confirm the level of training you'll need.

Next, you'll need to find a training provider that's approved by the New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB). They're the governing body that regulates the SST program. If you purchase a training program that claims to be SST but isn't DOB-approved, you'll waste time and money because it won't count.

Finally, you'll need to figure out what kind of SST certification package is the right one for you.

Which Type of SST Certification Do You Need?

The good news is that the choices are simpler than they used to be.

When Local Law 196 was passed in 2017, it set up a transitional period with different levels of certification to meet by certain deadlines. However, the law came into full effect in 2021, so the Temporary and Limited categories no longer exist.

There are two levels of training at this point: Worker SST cards and Supervisor SST cards.

Supervisor SST cards are required for:

  • Site Safety Managers
  • Site Safety Coordinators
  • Concrete Safety Managers
  • Construction Superintendents
  • Competent Persons (as designated by the site's Construction Superintendent)

The Supervisor SST course is 62 hours long.

Non-supervisory personnel need the Worker SST card, which is a 40-hour course. That's why people sometimes refer to this level as OSHA 40 NYC.

How Long Does a New SST Card Last?

SST cards are good for 5 years.

The good news is that you don't need to take the full course again when yours expires. Non-supervisory workers need an 8-hour refresher to continue their SST certification, and supervisors need a 16-hour course.

Then you'll be good for another 5 years.

What Does SST Training Cover?

Generally speaking, the 40-hour Site Safety Training curriculum for non-supervisory workers includes:

  • Prescribed Courses:
    • OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training for Construction
    • 8-hour Fall Prevention
    • 8-hour Site Safety Manager Refresher / Chapter 33
    • 4-hour Supported Scaffold
    • 2-hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness
  • 4 hours of General Electives
  • 4 hours of Special Electives

The 62-hour supervisor curriculum includes all that and more. The new and different elements are underlined below for comparison.

  • Prescribed Courses:
    • OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training for Construction
    • 8-hour Fall Prevention
    • 8-hour Site Safety Manager Refresher / Chapter 33
    • 4-hour Supported Scaffold
    • 2-hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness
    • 2-hour Toolbox Talks
    • 2-hour Pre-Task Safety Meetings
    • 2-hour Site Safety Plan (SSP)
  • 2 hours of General Electives
  • 2 hours of Special Electives

Electives are typically 1 hour per topic. General electives include topics like hand and power tools, protection from sun exposure, electrocution prevention, and proper lifting techniques. Specialized electives include subjects like asbestos and lead awareness, confined space entry, job hazard analysis, and ergonomics.

Where Do You Get SST NYC Online?

We've been an OSHA-authorized training provider for over 20 years. Our SST courses are NYC DOB-approved and delivered online for your convenience. You can work through them at your own pace, whenever and wherever you have time (and an internet connection).

We have a variety of packages and a la carte course options to help you meet your SST requirements. If you're a non-supervisory worker, you need a 40-hour SST card, but there are two ways to get it. If you're a new entrant to construction in New York City, you need our NYC SST 40-hour New Entrant course. If you're not a new entrant, you can meet your requirements with our other NYC SST 40-hour course.

Enroll today!

NYC SST: 40 Hour Site Safety Training for New Entrants

942.99

NYC SST: 40 Hour Site Safety Training for Workers

425.99