Temporary Works
Coordination
TWC | TWS | Register | Design Checking | Permits
Temporary works carry significant risk. Failures are rarely caused by poor engineering. They are caused by inadequate management of the process around it.
Matthews & Roberts provides independent Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor services for contractors. We establish and manage the temporary works system in line with BS 5975 so that the register, design categories, checking, permits and site controls are in place, current and being actively managed throughout construction.
Discuss your temporary worksMost temporary works failures are management failures, not engineering failures
When temporary works collapse or fail on a construction project, the investigation almost always finds the same underlying causes. Designs that were not properly checked. Permits to load that were not issued. Modifications made without authorisation. Registers that were not maintained. Controls that existed on paper but were not functioning on site.
BS 5975 exists to prevent these failures by establishing a disciplined management framework around temporary works from initial identification through design, checking, installation, use and dismantling. A competent, independent TWC is the mechanism by which that framework functions.
Matthews & Roberts provides that function for contractors who need a competent, independent TWC without carrying the resource permanently or where internal independence requirements cannot be met.
What we provide
- Independent TWC appointment
- Competent, independent TWC for the duration required.
- TWS services
- Site-level supervision under the TWC throughout construction.
- Temporary works register
- Established, maintained and kept current throughout the project.
- Design checking coordination
- Category 1, 2 and 3 checking managed and recorded.
- Permit system
- Permit to load, use and dismantle controlled throughout.
TWC and TWS — distinct responsibilities, clear accountability
Temporary Works Coordinator
The TWC has overall responsibility for managing the temporary works process on the project. This includes maintaining the register, managing design categories, coordinating checks, approving designs, controlling permits and ensuring the temporary works system functions correctly throughout construction.
- Maintain the temporary works register
- Assign design categories
- Appoint and brief designers
- Manage the checking process
- Approve temporary works for installation
- Control the permit to load and use system
- Arrange regular reviews
- Manage permit to dismantle
Temporary Works Supervisor
The TWS works under the TWC to supervise and manage temporary works activities on site. The TWS ensures that installation, use, modification and dismantling of temporary works are carried out in accordance with the approved design and permit conditions.
- Supervise installation to approved drawings
- Carry out site checks before permit to load
- Manage permit to use conditions
- Monitor temporary works in use
- Control modifications during use
- Supervise dismantling
- Maintain site-level records
- Escalate issues to the TWC
Temporary Works Coordinator
The TWC has overall responsibility for managing the temporary works process on the project. This includes maintaining the register, managing design categories, coordinating checks, approving designs, controlling permits and ensuring the temporary works system functions correctly throughout construction.
- Maintain the temporary works register
- Assign design categories
- Appoint and brief designers
- Manage the checking process
- Approve temporary works for installation
- Control the permit to load and use system
- Arrange regular reviews
- Manage permit to dismantle
Temporary Works Supervisor
The TWS works under the TWC to supervise and manage temporary works activities on site. The TWS ensures that installation, use, modification and dismantling of temporary works are carried out in accordance with the approved design and permit conditions.
- Supervise installation to approved drawings
- Carry out site checks before permit to load
- Manage permit to use conditions
- Monitor temporary works in use
- Control modifications during use
- Supervise dismantling
- Maintain site-level records
- Escalate issues to the TWC
Temporary works management built for live contractor projects
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
Provision of a competent, independent TWC taking overall responsibility for managing the temporary works process in accordance with BS 5975. We establish and manage the register, control design categories, coordinate checking, approve designs and manage permits throughout construction.
Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
Site-level TWS support working under the appointed TWC to supervise temporary works installation, use and dismantling. We carry out pre-load checks, manage permit conditions on site and maintain site-level records aligned with the approved design.
Temporary Works Register & System
Establishment and management of a project-specific temporary works register and management system in line with BS 5975 requirements, maintaining a clear record of all temporary works elements, their category, design status, check status and permit position.
Design Checking & Verification
Coordination and management of the checking process for temporary works designs submitted by the designer. Where required, we can organise independent checking through our professional network to satisfy category requirements.
Permit to Load, Use & Dismantle
Establishing and managing the permit system for temporary works across the project. We issue, manage and close out permits to load, permits to use and permits to dismantle, maintaining clear control records throughout.
Temporary Works Reviews & Audits
Independent review of a contractor's existing temporary works arrangements to assess compliance with BS 5975, identify gaps in the register, checking processes, permits and records and provide a prioritised action plan.
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
Provision of a competent, independent TWC taking overall responsibility for managing the temporary works process in accordance with BS 5975. We establish and manage the register, control design categories, coordinate checking, approve designs and manage permits throughout construction.
Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
Site-level TWS support working under the appointed TWC to supervise temporary works installation, use and dismantling. We carry out pre-load checks, manage permit conditions on site and maintain site-level records aligned with the approved design.
Temporary Works Register & System
Establishment and management of a project-specific temporary works register and management system in line with BS 5975 requirements, maintaining a clear record of all temporary works elements, their category, design status, check status and permit position.
Design Checking & Verification
Coordination and management of the checking process for temporary works designs submitted by the designer. Where required, we can organise independent checking through our professional network to satisfy category requirements.
Permit to Load, Use & Dismantle
Establishing and managing the permit system for temporary works across the project. We issue, manage and close out permits to load, permits to use and permits to dismantle, maintaining clear control records throughout.
Temporary Works Reviews & Audits
Independent review of a contractor's existing temporary works arrangements to assess compliance with BS 5975, identify gaps in the register, checking processes, permits and records and provide a prioritised action plan.
Four pillars of temporary works control
BS 5975:2019 is the UK code of practice for temporary works. These are the four principles the standard is built around.
Competence
The TWC and TWS must have appropriate skills, knowledge and experience for the type and complexity of temporary works involved.
Design Category
Every temporary works element must be assigned a design category (1, 2 or 3) determining the level of checking required before installation.
Independent Checking
Category 2 and Category 3 designs require independent checking by a suitably qualified person separate from the designer.
Permit System
A permit to load, permit to use and permit to dismantle must control when temporary works can be installed, used and removed.
BS 5975 applies across a wide range of construction activity
Temporary works are present on most construction projects to some degree. The TWC's responsibility extends across all elements that require design, checking and management under BS 5975 regardless of who is providing the temporary works or what form it takes.
The TWC must identify all temporary works elements from the outset, assign appropriate design categories and ensure each element is managed through the register and permit system from design through to dismantling.
Excavation Support
Sheet piling, trench boxes, close timbering, drag boxes
Falsework
Formwork support systems, propping, shoring
Scaffolding
Access and support scaffolding, independent and tied systems
Propping
Structural propping during demolition, retained facades, underpinning
Working Platforms
Crane pads, MEWPs, tracked plant platforms
Earthworks
Slopes, batters, embankments, retained structures
Cofferdams
Sheet pile cofferdams, concrete caissons, timber cofferdams
Falsework Bridges
Temporary bridging, gantries, launching systems
Excavation Support
Sheet piling, trench boxes, close timbering, drag boxes
Falsework
Formwork support systems, propping, shoring
Scaffolding
Access and support scaffolding, independent and tied systems
Propping
Structural propping during demolition, retained facades, underpinning
Working Platforms
Crane pads, MEWPs, tracked plant platforms
Earthworks
Slopes, batters, embankments, retained structures
Cofferdams
Sheet pile cofferdams, concrete caissons, timber cofferdams
Falsework Bridges
Temporary bridging, gantries, launching systems
Common reasons contractors appoint an independent TWC
Some contractors plan TWC appointment at tender or mobilisation. Others come to us when an issue with existing arrangements requires immediate attention.
No Competent TWC Available In-House
The project involves temporary works requiring formal TWC appointment but no suitably competent person is available within the contractor's team.
Independent TWC Required
The contractor's internal team is involved in the design or construction of the temporary works, meaning independence requirements cannot be met internally.
Register and Controls Are Not in Place
The project is underway but the temporary works register, design categories, checking records and permit system have not been properly established.
Complex or High-Risk Temporary Works
The project involves Category 2 or Category 3 temporary works requiring independent design checking and a higher level of TWC competence.
Client or CDM Compliance Requirement
The principal contractor must demonstrate that a competent, independent TWC is appointed as part of their CDM and project compliance obligations.
Existing Arrangements Are Being Challenged
The temporary works system, register or permit arrangements are being questioned by the client, Principal Designer, HSE or an internal review.
No Competent TWC Available In-House
The project involves temporary works requiring formal TWC appointment but no suitably competent person is available within the contractor's team.
Independent TWC Required
The contractor's internal team is involved in the design or construction of the temporary works, meaning independence requirements cannot be met internally.
Register and Controls Are Not in Place
The project is underway but the temporary works register, design categories, checking records and permit system have not been properly established.
Complex or High-Risk Temporary Works
The project involves Category 2 or Category 3 temporary works requiring independent design checking and a higher level of TWC competence.
Client or CDM Compliance Requirement
The principal contractor must demonstrate that a competent, independent TWC is appointed as part of their CDM and project compliance obligations.
Existing Arrangements Are Being Challenged
The temporary works system, register or permit arrangements are being questioned by the client, Principal Designer, HSE or an internal review.
The register is the backbone of the temporary works management system
A properly maintained temporary works register provides a live record of every temporary works element on the project. It shows what has been identified, what category it has been assigned, where the design is in the approval process, what checks have been completed and what permits are current.
We establish the register at the start of the project and maintain it throughout. As new temporary works are identified, as designs are developed and checked and as permits are issued and closed out, the register reflects the live position.
Temporary works management integrated with how the project runs
Temporary works do not sit in isolation from the rest of the project. Design information, procurement, programme, subcontractor management, CDM and site permits all interface with the temporary works management system.
We integrate the temporary works management system with the wider project so that temporary works requirements appear in design information registers, subcontractor briefings, the programme and the CDM Construction Phase Plan.
What we produce
Scoped to the project and its temporary works requirements.
Temporary works questions from contractors
A Temporary Works Coordinator is a competent person appointed by the contractor to manage the temporary works process on a project in accordance with BS 5975. The TWC is responsible for maintaining the temporary works register, assigning design categories, coordinating the checking process, approving designs and controlling the permit system throughout construction.
A TWC is required on any project where temporary works are involved that require design, checking and control. BS 5975 applies to a wide range of temporary works including excavation support, falsework, scaffolding, propping, working platforms, earthworks and cofferdams. The level of TWC competence required depends on the complexity and category of the temporary works involved.
The Temporary Works Coordinator manages the overall temporary works process at project level, including the register, design categories, checking and permit system. The Temporary Works Supervisor works at site level under the TWC to supervise installation, use and dismantling in accordance with the approved design and permit conditions.
BS 5975 assigns temporary works elements to design categories based on complexity. Category 1 can be checked by the designer or a suitably experienced person. Category 2 requires independent checking by a person separate from the designer. Category 3 is for complex elements requiring independent checking by a specialist. The TWC assigns categories and manages the checking process.
Yes, subject to competence requirements. However, where the contractor's team is involved in designing or constructing the temporary works, independence requirements may mean an external TWC is needed. Matthews & Roberts provides independent TWC services where internal appointment is not suitable or where the required level of competence is not available in-house.
A permit to load is a formal authorisation confirming that the installed temporary works have been checked against the approved design, any conditions are in place and the temporary works can be loaded or used. The TWC issues the permit to load after satisfactory inspection. Work that loads the temporary works must not proceed without it.
Yes. We can step into live projects where the temporary works arrangements need to be established, strengthened or an existing TWC has left the project. We carry out a review of the current position and agree the priority actions needed to bring the system into compliance.
Yes. We can carry out an independent review of existing temporary works arrangements against BS 5975 requirements, assessing the register, design categories, checking records, permits and site controls and providing a prioritised action plan.
Temporary works are a significant construction phase risk. The Construction Phase Plan should address how temporary works are managed. The Principal Contractor has responsibility for ensuring suitable arrangements are in place. Matthews & Roberts can integrate temporary works coordination with CDM support, ensuring the CPP and site governance reflect the actual temporary works management system.
Yes. On larger or more complex projects we can provide both TWC and TWS resource, with clear accountability at each level of the management system and consistent records maintained throughout.
Additional capability around your project
Need a competent, independent TWC for your project?
Whether you need a TWC appointed from the start, support stepping into an existing project, a review of your current temporary works arrangements or TWS services on site, Matthews & Roberts can provide independent, competent temporary works management for your project.
Client Portal
The Client Portal provides secure access to project documents, progress updates, and direct communication with your Matthews & Roberts team.
Request access: info@matthewsroberts.com
Portal access is provided to approved clients. Contact us if you need support.
Existing client?
Access your project portal to view documents and track progress.
New enquiry?
Tell us about your project and we'll respond within 24 hours.