Site Safety Training (SST) Card FAQs

SST Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following questions are either answered from DOB/LL196 documentation
or sourced directly from the New York City Department of Buildings:

Click on the following questions to locate the appropriate answer.

1. What is an SST Card?
2. Who needs an SST Card?
3. When do I need an SST Card renewal?
4. I have an OSHA-30 card, will that be accepted by DOB inspectors, or do I need a Limited SST card?
5. What if I don’t have a Site Safety Training Card (SST Card) or the required training, do I get a violation?
6. I’m a small business owner. How do I sign up for free training for my workers?
7. What are the training topics and hours I must complete to get my Site Safety Training Card (SST Card)?
8. Once I get the SST card, will it expire?
9. Where do I get a Site Safety Training Card (SST Card)?
10. As a construction worker, when will I need my 40 hours of training?
11. Has the June 1, 2019 deadline for workers to get 30 hours of training and supervisors to get 62 hours been extended?
12. What training do you need to get an SST Card?
    1. Limited SST card
    2. Temporary SST Card
    3. Full SST Card
    4. Supervisor SST Card

What is an SST card?

The SST card is a safety training card built to provide information about construction workers training backgrounds in New York City. The card itself is designed to show off specific training required to work in compliance with New York City’s Local Law 196.

Who needs an SST card?

All New York City Construction workers. In order to work in New York City construction, you’ll need an SST card as of  December 1st, 2019. The SST card will primarily be issued to construction and demolition workers in New York City. Construction supervisors are also required to carry an SST card.

When do I need an SST Card renewal?

SST card expiry dates differ based off which card you have, typically it is a 5-year lifespan. 

Temporary SST Card:

• Expires six months after issued date. After this time a worker must obtain a Limited SST card or Full worker SST card

Limited SST Card:

• Expires on August 31st, 2020. After this time a worker must obtain a Full worker SST card.

Full Worker SST Card:

• Expires 5 years after issued date. A worker must then renew their SST card by completing an additional 8 hours of safety training.
  • Renewal of training: 4-Hour Fall Prevention + 4-Hour Supported Scaffold Training

Supervisor SST Card:

• Expires 5 years after issued date. A supervisor must then renew their SST card by completing an additional 16 hours of safety training.
  • Renewal of training: 8-Hour Fall Prevention + 4-Hour Supported Scaffold Training + 2-Hour Toolbox Talks + 2-Hour Pre-Task Safety Meeting.

I have an OSHA-30 card, will that be accepted by DOB inspectors, or do I need a Limited SST card?

For the purposes of the December 1, 2019 training deadline, an OSHA-30 card or a Limited Site Safety Training Card will serve as acceptable proof that a worker has received the training required by Local Law 196.

What if I don’t have a Site Safety Training Card or the required training, do I get a violation?

DOB will not be issuing violations to workers. Permit holders are responsible for ensuring that workers at their sites are trained. If the Department discovers that workers at a construction site are untrained, the Department 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.

I’m a small business owner. How do I sign up for free training for my workers?

If you own a small construction business, you may be eligible for free training provided by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). For more information, visit: http://on.nyc.gov/sitesafetytraining. You can also contact SBS by calling 311.

What are the training topics and hours I must complete to get my Site Safety Training Card?

 If you have an OSHA 30-Hour Card, you need the following training:

If you have an OSHA 10-Hour Card, you need the following training:

Once I get the SST card, will it expire?

SST cards expire after five years. Card holders will be required to take a refresher course every five years to renew their SST card.

Where do I get an SST Card?

DOB-approved course providers are responsible for issuing Site Safety Training Cards upon the completion of training.

View and Order DOB Approved SST Card Providers here. 

As a construction worker, when will I need my 40 hours of training?

Workers will be required to complete their 40 hours of training by March 1, 2021. By this date, workers will need a Site Safety Training Card.

Has the June 1, 2019 deadline for workers to get 30 hours of training and supervisors to get 62 hours been extended?

Yes, on May 8, City Council passed legislation extending the deadline. Workers will now need to have 30 hours of training and supervisors must have 62 hours of training by December 1, 2019.

What training do you need to get an SST Card?

Worker: Limited SST Card – 30 Hours of Safety Training

As a worker, you must have at least one of the following options to obtain this SST card:

1. OSHA 10-Hour Course + 20 Hours of Additional Training

• OSHA 10-Hour Course

• 8-Hour Fall Prevention Training

• 8-Hour Chapter 33 Site Safety Manager Training

• 4-Hour Supported Scaffold Training

2. OSHA 30-Hour Course

3. 100-Hour Training Program, has to be approved by the DOB

• Has to at least meet the course training work identified in option 1 or 2.

Worker: Temporary SST Card*

As a worker, you must have the following to obtain this SST card:

1. OSHA 10-Hour Course

*This SST card is issued by a trainer to a construction worker who completes an OSHA 10-Hour course and who is a new entrant to the workforce in NYC.

Full SST Card – 40 Hours of Safety Training

As a worker, you must have at least one of the following options to obtain this SST card:

1. OSHA 10-Hour Course + 30 Hours of Additional Training

• OSHA 10-Hour Course
• 8-Hour Fall Prevention Training
• 8-Hour Chapter 33 Site Safety Manager Training
• 4-Hour Supported Scaffold Training
• 2-Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness
• 4-Hours of general safety training electives (listed below)
• 4-Hours of specialized safety training electives (listed below)

2. OSHA 30-Hour Course + 10 Hours of Additional Training

• OSHA 30-Hour Course
• 8-Hour Fall Prevention Training
• 2-Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness

3. 100-Hour Training Program, has to be approved by the DOB

• Has to at least meet the course training work identified in option 1 or 2.
• In many cases this is received as part of a Union Apprenticeship Program

Supervisor SST Card – 62 Hours of Safety Training

As a supervisor, you must have all of the following training to obtain this SST card:

• OSHA 30-Hour Course

• 8-Hour Fall Prevention Training

• 8-Hour Chapter 33 Site Safety Manager Training

• 4-Hour Supported Scaffold Training

• 2-Hour Drug and Alcohol Awareness

• 2-Hour Site Safety Plan

• 2-Hour Tool Box Talks

• 2-Hour Pre-task Safety Meetings

• 2-Hours of general safety training electives (listed below)

• 2-Hours of specialized safety training electives (listed below)

General Electives

• 1-Hour First Aid & CPR

• 1-Hour Hoisting and Rigging

• 1-Hour Stairways and Ladders

• 1-Hour Tools (Hand and Power)

• 1-Hour Repetitive Motion Injuries

• 1-Hour Protection from Sun Exposure

• 1-Hour Handling Heavy Materials and Proper Lifting Techniques

• 1-Hour Fire Protection and Prevention

• 1-Hour Electrocution Prevention

• 1-Hour Health and Safety Programs in Construction

• 1-Hour Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal

Specialized Electives

• 1-Hour Demolition Safety
• 1-Hour Asbestos/Lead Awareness
• 1-Hour Concrete and Masonry Construction
• 1-Hour Flag Person
• 1-Hour Risk Assessment and Accident Investigation
• 1-Hour Suspended Scaffold
• 1-Hour Confined Space Entry
• 1-Hour Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, and Conveyors
• 1-Hour Ergonomics
• 1-Hour Job Hazard Analysis
• 1-Hour Excavations
• 1-Hour Manlifts/Aerial Lifts/Scissor Lifts
• 1-Hour Motor Vehicles
• 1-Hour Welding and Cutting
• 1-Hour Steel Erection
• 2.5-Hour Foundations of Safety Leadership