Understanding New York City Site Safety Training (SST) Requirements
The New York City Site Safety Training (NYC SST) card is one of the most important qualifications for both workers and supervisors in the construction and demolition industries. It is a requirement for anyone doing construction work on a designated job site in the City of New York and ensures that workers and supervisors are knowledgeable about safety protocols and regulations on job sites.
To maintain a card, it is necessary to complete a refresher training course before the five-year anniversary of your card being issued. Additionally, new workers and supervisors must complete a full course to obtain their card.
Read on for answers to commonly asked questions about obtaining or refreshing NYC SST card.
What is a NYC SST Card?
NYC Local Law 196 of 2017 dictates a site safety training program required for those performing construction and demolition work in New York City. The program seeks to ensure that workers and supervisors are knowledgeable about safety protocols and regulations on job sites—therefore requiring them to carry their Site Safety Training (SST) card as proof of training.
Who needs NYC SST Card?
New York City Building code section 3321 states if your site is permitted for construction or demolition and a construction superintendent, site safety manager or site safety coordinator is required, then each worker at the site be current with site safety training provided by an approved course provider.
That means workers and supervisors who are performing construction and demolition work on most New York City jobsites are required to have a full NYC SST Card. This includes both full-time and part-time employees.
Browse our online NYC SST courses available individually or in discounted safety packages.
How do I know what NYC SST training I need?
Training can vary depending on whether you're a worker or supervisor, along with whether you've already taken any of the initial training. You can download ClickSafety’s NYC SST Decision Tree to help you figure out what courses you need to take to refresh your card.
ClickSafety Customer Service available to answer any questions as well as your ClickSafety Account Manager—please contact us if you need further assistance.
How do I get my NYC SST Card?
To get NYC SST Card, you must complete site safety training course(s) approved by the NYC Department of Buildings. The training covers topics such as OSHA 10 or 30 Construction, safety protocols, fall protection, scaffolding, electrical safety, and more.
Upon completion of the required courses, you will receive a certificate of completion. Then, you’ll need to request a NYC SST Card with your completed training certificate. After submitting the required documentation and you get approved, your card will be shipped to you. If you obtain your card through ClickSafety, you will also immediately receive a QR code containing your NYC SST Card upon approval. This digital version can be used on the job until your physical card arrives in the mail.
How do I purchase NYC SST training for my team?
First, you’ll need to figure out if members of your team need refresher training or new worker or supervisor training. You can use ClickSafety’s NYC SST Decision Tree to help you figure out your training needs.
If you need help or are ready to purchase and are looking to streamline your safety training, you can contact us for a business account and receive deeper discounts, a company dashboard to track your team’s training and a dedicated account team to guide you through the process.
If you have a ClickSafety Business Account, please contact your Account Manager to guide you through the process.
How long does it take to get a NYC SST Card?
The exact time it takes to get an NYC SST Card as a worker and/or supervisor will depend on the individual's background and experience. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to months to complete the training.
The process involves completing an online application, completing, and passing the required training course(s), then submitting all information to request your card with our SST Card provider.
When do I need to renew my SST card by?
Workers and supervisors whose Site Safety Training (SST) cards expire must take the refresher course before they can renew their cards. Refresher training must be taken no more than one year before applying for a card.
If you do not have your NYC SST Card, you must take all required courses to obtain it or provide training records of the applicable courses you completed within the last 5 years. Your DOB-approved course providers are responsible for issuing Site Safety Training Cards upon the completion of training which you will need to apply for your card.
If you need a replacement card or any certificates of completion to apply for your NYC SST card, you should also contact your course provider.
I have a valid OSHA card. Will that count towards my SST card requirements?
Yes! If your training was completed in the last 5 years. Use ClickSafety’s NYC SST Decision Tree to see what completer courses you will need.
Can I get a temporary SST Card?
If you started working after December 1, 2019, you must complete (at a minimum) the OSHA 10-Hour course to receive a Temporary SST Card before you begin working and within six months you must complete the other courses to obtain the required 40 hours of training to continue working.
How often do I need to refresh my NYC SST Card?
NYC SST Card must be refreshed before the 5-year expiration date. To do this, you must take refresher courses. Depending on your job role, refresher training ranges for workers 8 hours and supervisors 16 hours.
Upon completion of the refresher course, you will receive a new certificate of completion that serves as your documentation to request your new NYC SST Card.
Use ClickSafety’s NYC SST Decision Tree to help you figure out what courses you need to take!
What are the penalties for not having NYC SST Card?
According to nyc.gov, if untrained workers are found at a construction site, the NY DOB will issue a violation with civil penalties that go as high as $5,000 per untrained worker to the owner of the site, the permit holder and the employer of the untrained worker. These civil penalties can be mitigated if an employer sponsors training for such untrained workers.
If the DOB discovers that a permit holder has failed to maintain a log that demonstrated that all the workers at a site are trained, the Department will issue a violation with a civil penalty of $2,500.
The DOB will also conduct unannounced inspections at sites where untrained workers have been discovered.
Where can I find more information about NYC SST Card?
More information about NYC SST Card can be found on the NYC Department of Buildings website.
We can also help you determine your training needs. ClickSafety Customer Service is available to answer any questions as well as your ClickSafety Account Manager—please contact us if you need assistance.
