Everything you need to know about SST training: official program, legal requirements, duration, certification and skills maintenance. A complete guide for trainers and employers.
Last updated: March 2026
100% in-person training required
SST training cannot be delivered remotely, not even partially. Only an accredited organisation with a certified SST trainer can issue the certification. OpenFormations only offers revision tools, preparation quizzes, and certificate tracking — not the certification itself.
Source: INRS, SST Reference Document (Version 8) — "SST training cannot be delivered remotely"
The Sauveteur Secouriste du Travail (SST) is an employee trained in first aid within their workplace. They are able to respond effectively to workplace accidents and implement preventive actions within their organisation. The SST certification is registered in the Répertoire Spécifique at France Compétences under code RS5801.
Legal framework
Article R4224-15 of the French Labour Code
A staff member must receive the first aid training necessary to provide emergency assistance in every workshop where hazardous work is carried out and on every site employing at least twenty workers for more than fifteen days.
Legal framework
Article R4224-16 of the French Labour Code
In the absence of nurses, or when their number does not allow for permanent presence, the employer must take the necessary measures — after consulting the occupational physician — to ensure first aid is available for accident victims and sick employees.
Official registration
RS5801 — France Compétences
The SST certification is registered in the Répertoire Spécifique, confirming its official recognition by the French state.
The SST training is built around 2 competency domains and 8 competencies, as defined by the INRS Reference Document.
4 competencies for effective emergency response
Know the legal framework for intervention, identify prevention stakeholders in the company, and understand how the SST's actions fit with other actors.
Recognise persistent dangers and eliminate or isolate the hazard, or remove the victim from danger without self-exposure. Implement appropriate protective measures.
Recognise signs indicating the victim's life is at risk. Associate signs with outcomes to determine the most appropriate first aid action.
Define the elements of an alert message. Identify who to alert based on the company's emergency organisation. Raise the alert or have someone raise it following established procedures.
4 competencies for active participation in the prevention approach
Grasp the basic concepts of prevention. Understand one's role within the company's prevention organisation.
Spot hazards and identify associated risks. Analyse dangerous work situations using basic prevention principles.
Propose appropriate prevention measures. Eliminate or reduce identified risks by acting on working conditions, organisation, or behaviours.
Report dangerous situations to the competent person. Transmit useful information for implementing preventive actions.
| Criterion | Initial SST training | MAC SST (refresher) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration | 14 hours (2 days) | 7 hours (1 day) |
| Format | 100% in-person required | 100% in-person required |
| Frequency | Initial training | Every 24 months |
| Maximum group size | 10 trainees per session | 10 trainees per session |
| Pré-requisitos | No prerequisites | Valid SST certificate |
| Certificate validity | 24 months | 24 months (renewable) |
Our platform does not deliver SST certification — only an accredited organisation can do that. However, we offer complementary tools to support your learners before, during, and after their in-person training.
Online educational content to revise the theoretical knowledge of the SST program before or after in-person training.
Interactive tests to evaluate learner knowledge levels and identify areas to reinforce before the in-person session.
Automatic notifications to remind SST certificate holders of their MAC refresher deadline, before the 24-month expiry.
Centralised dashboard to track the status of your team's SST certifications: issue dates, validity, and renewal deadlines.
Organise trainee cohorts, plan training sessions, and track individual and group progress.
Reminder: OpenFormations is a management and preparation tool. The SST certification itself can only be obtained in person, from an accredited organisation with a certified SST trainer.
The SST accreditation chain is strictly governed by the INRS. Only organisations and trainers who comply with this chain can issue the SST certificate.
The INRS is the reference body that defines the SST program, writes the Reference Document, and accredits trainer networks. It sets the pedagogical rules and certification conditions.
Trainers must hold an SST trainer certificate issued by an INRS-accredited organisation or partner network. This certificate is valid for 36 months and must be maintained through a MAC SST Trainer refresher.
Only organisations that have obtained accreditation from the INRS or an accredited network (CARSAT, CRAMIF, CGSS, etc.) can organise and validate SST training. They must employ certified SST trainers.
No. The INRS Reference Document (Version 8) is clear: "SST training cannot be delivered remotely." This applies to the entire training, including the theoretical component. Only supplementary revision resources can be offered online.
The SST certificate is valid for 24 months. To maintain it, the holder must complete a MAC SST (Skills Maintenance and Update) of at least 7 hours before expiry. If the deadline is missed, the person must retake the full initial training.
The French Labour Code (Article R4224-15) requires at minimum one SST in every workshop where hazardous work is carried out and on every site with more than 20 workers for over 15 days. The INRS recommends 10–15% of the workforce be SST-trained for effective coverage.
PSC1 (Prévention et Secours Civiques de niveau 1) is a general public first aid course. SST is specific to the workplace: it includes a workplace risk prevention component and is recognised as a full certification (RS5801). SST holders are considered to hold PSC1 equivalence.
SST training is the employer's responsibility, under their duty of safety. It can be funded by the company's OPCO as part of the skills development plan. The CPF (personal training account) cannot generally be used directly for SST, except in specific cases.
OpenFormations does not deliver SST certification. Our platform offers complementary tools: theory revision modules, preparation quizzes, MAC renewal date tracking, and centralised certificate management for training organisations and companies.
Use OpenFormations to manage revisions, certificate tracking, and MAC SST reminders — the ideal complement to your in-person training.
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