Managing Temporary Works

Temporary Works – What is it?

Defined in BS 5975:2008 as an ‘engineered solution’ used to:

• Support or protect an existing structure or the permanent works during

construction

• Support an item of plant or equipment

• Support an excavation

• Provide access
Temporary Works – Legal bits

BS 5975:2008 gives full guidance and standards on Temporary Works

however there are some general and specific statutory
requirements under the CDM Regulations 2015 to managing design and temporary
works and structures.

Copies of the British Standard for TW’s and the CDM Regulations are available for
viewing within CIMS under ‘Legislation/HSE Info’.
Temporary Works – Examples

• Piling platforms • Mobile/Tower crane bases

• Underpinning • Hoists

• Cofferdams • Propping

• Excavations • Façade Retention

• Scaffolding • Loading Bays

• Formwork • Hoarding/Fencing

• Falsework • Signage boards/on scaffolding

Temporary Works common to
Chalcroft projects
Piling platforms, mobile crane bases
Temporary Works common to
Chalcroft projects
Excavations, underpinning, formwork
Temporary Works common to
Chalcroft projects
Scaffolding, loading bays, propping
 Temporary Works
common to Chalcroft projects
Hoarding, fencing, signage boards
Temporary Works Procedure

1. Enquiry/tender for work is reviewed taking into account potential TW’s

2. Contract awarded and Contracts/Project/Build Manager appointed

3. CM/PM/BM appoints Temporary Works Co-ordinator (Site Manager/Supervisor).

The CM or PM can also self-appoint as TWC for small works or short duration projects however a
Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) must be appointed on site. A TWS does not have to have completed
temporary works training but must understand the works and the procedure.

4. Temporary Works Register is completed by the TWC

(or by/with assistance from CM/PM or EHS Department)

5. TWC completes Design/RAMS Brief (Form A) for each item on the TW Register.

6. TWC issues completed Form A with a blank Design/RAMS Certificate (Form B) to

the relevant Temporary Works Designer (for Category 1-3) or the person/s
responsible for producing RAMS (Category 0).
Temporary Works Procedure

7. Design/RAMS Certificate (Form B) is issued back to the TWC by the allotted time
(detailed in TW Register and on Form A Section 9) with the relevant information
ie drawings, specs, requirements, detailed hazards/risks or; for a CAT 0 – the
RAMS.

8. The details and documents detailed and supplied are reviewed by the TWC and
Section 6 on Form B is then completed when accepted. Any queries are to be
sent to the issuer noted on Section 5 of Form B.

9. Completed Forms A and B with a blank Form C (Permit to Proceed), and a copy
of the TW Register, can now be issued to site with all associated
documents/drawings etc.

10. Form C - Permit to Proceed is issued by the TWC or TWS on site as required with
the agreed safe method, design or process followed accordingly.
Temporary Works Procedure
Important Notes:

• Only until Forms A to B have been fully completed and all required
documents/drawings are received can a Form C Permit to Proceed be issued.

• No deviation from the agreed work or method is allowed and any design/scope
changes are to be referred back to the appropriate designer or issuer of RAMS and
Forms A-C completed again accordingly.

• Other site working documents such as Scaffold Inspections, Excavation Permits and
Inspections shall also be utilised in conjunction with any relevant temporary works.

• Form C Permit to Proceed may be issued on a daily basis or for the duration of that
works. It is dependent on the design or scope of works or requirements noted in Form
C under Section 3.0 Particular Requirements (as determined from information
provided on Form B Design/RAMS Certificate.

• Review and inspection of the works are to be carried out as specified within Form C as
deemed from information provided in Form B.
Temporary Works Responsibilities

• Designers

Under the CDM Regulations 2015 all designers are responsible for considering
Temporary Works and designing out risk where possible. Where this is not possible risks
should be reduced and residual risks highlighted for consideration during the tender
stage. Residual risks should also be raised to the site team to be appropriately managed
where appropriate.

• Estimator/Bid Manager

The Estimator, or person(s) responsible for reviewing, calculating and preparing tender
submissions, is responsible for identifying temporary works and the appropriate
construction methods and resources required and conveying this information to relevant
persons.
Temporary Works Responsibilities

• Quantity Surveyors

QS’s must ensure that any identified Temporary Works that are the responsibility of
Chalcroft have suitable costs, provisions and resources allocated to address the works.

• Contracts/Project/Build Managers

All Contracts Managers, Project Managers and Build Managers are responsible for all
Temporary Works and ensuring competency of duty holders. They are required to
appoint a Temporary Works Co-ordinator in writing and if required, a Temporary Works
Supervisor.
Temporary Works Responsibilities
• Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC)
The TWC shall be a Site Manager or Site Supervisor (or in certain occasions the Contracts/Build/Project
Managers for small works or short duration works) who is:

- Sufficiently experienced to recognise the need for Temporary Works (TW)

- Experienced and knowledgeable in construction methods to be used
- Recognises their own limits to their technical abilities and when to request assistance
- Competent in communicating and administrating
- Has attended a Temporary Works Co-ordinator course

The TWC is responsible to carry out:

- Control and co-ordination of all TW activities

- Communication of information amongst all parties involved in TW including the PD and for inclusion of
information in the CPP
- Registering and recording all correspondence and documents relating to TW
- Preparation of a meaningful and comprehensive design brief
- Monitoring the progress at all stages of the TW
- Verifying the design and construction methods

Cont’ over:
Temporary Works Responsibilities
• Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC)

The TWC shall ensure that:

- The design is checked and any queries are referred back to the designer
- Changes and corrections are designed, verified and carried out as required
- Inspections are done at critical stages during construction and before loading
- The strength of the permanent works is adequate to permit removal of the TW
- Formal permits to load/dismantle are issued on the appropriate forms
- Any temporary works designs match the design brief and residual risks are entered into the register

The TWC has the authority to enforce the requirements of:

- The company health and safety policy

- The contract for the project
- The design brief
- The approved design
Temporary Works Responsibilities
• Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)

The TWS should be a General or trades Foreman, Engineer or Site Supervisor who:

- Is safety trained – able to spot potential hazards.

- Experienced and knowledgeable in construction methods to be used
- Is technically aware – can understand drawings and methods involved

The TWS is responsible for:

- Safety at all times – especially during erection, use and dismantling of TW

- Contributing to the design brief – method, skills, plant, materials, access etc
- Ensuring the standard of workmanship is good paying careful attention to detail
- Supervising the erection, loading and removal in the correct sequence
- Ensuring the checking procedures are being carried out as required by the design
- Ensuring the correct materials and methods are being used to comply with the agreed design

Cont’ over:
Temporary Works Responsibilities
• Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)

The TWS duties are:

- Safety

- Understanding the drawings

- To ask for more detail from the TWC if not completely sure what is required
- To recognise the authority and carry out his/her instructions
- To not change any details or methods unless with the written agreement of the TWC
- To advise the TWC of unforeseen conditions, impractical details etc if they arise
- To ensure that any equipment to be used is inspected and in good working order

The TWS has the authority:

- To organise all construction activities relating to the TW

- To enforce the checking regime required by the TW design and the projects contract
Temporary Works Responsibilities
• Temporary Works Designer (TWD)

The TWD can be:

- An experienced engineer with proven design competence
- An external consultant with proven design competence
- A supplier or subcontractors design office with proven design competence

The TWD is responsible to produce:

- A conforming design which satisfies all the requirements of the design brief (Form A)
- Detailed documents which are comprehensive and easily understood by those using them
- Resolutions to technical queries
- Any design changes – as requested by the TWC
- An appreciation of the effects of the TW on the Permanent Works
- Design notes to highlight all the critical stages of construction and necessary checks

• Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC)

The TWDC must be independent of the TWD and should be appointed dependent on the category of
design check required. Refer to the Temporary Works Register for which items require a TWDC.
The qualifications, duties and authority of the TWDC are similar to that of the TWD. The
responsibility of the TWDC is to verify the design and confirm that to the TWC.
Temporary Works Classifications

When completing a Temporary Works Register a classification must be given to each

temporary works identified.

This classification is on a basis of risk and assigns it with the level of design required.

The table on the following page is based on BS 5975:2008 and is broken down into four
categories 0-3:

0 Generally ‘low risk’ works

1-2 Medium risk works
3 High risk works

The level of input into design, design checking, construction methods and controls is
relevant to the level of risk.
TW’s Categories of Design Checks
Category Scope
Restricted to standard solutions
only, to ensure the site conditions
0 do not conflict with the scope or
limitations of the chosen standard
solution.
For simple designs. These may
include; formwork, falsework
(where top restraint is not
1 another member of the design
assumed), needling and propping
to brickwork openings in single
storey construction.
On more complex or involved
designs. Designs for excavations,
2 for foundations, for structural
steelwork connections, for
reinforced concrete.
For more complex or innovative
designs, which result in complex
3 sequences of moving and/or
construction of either temporary
works or permanent works.
Comment Independence of Checker
This applies to the use of standard
Because this is a site issue, the
solutions and not the original
check of RAMS, for example, may
design, which will require both
be carried out by another member
structural calculation and checking
of the site or design team.
to category 1, 2, 3 as appropriate.
Such designs would be undertaken
using simple methods of analysis
The check may be carried out by
and be in accordance with the
relevant standards, suppliers’
team.
technical literature or other
reference publications.
Category 2 checks would include
designs where a considerable
The check should be carried out by
degree of interpretation of loading
an individual not involved in the
or soils information is required
design and not consulted by the
before the design of the
designer.
foundation, excavation support or
slope.
The designs include unusual
designs or where significant
departures from standards, novel
methods of analysis or The check should be carried out by
considerable exercise of another design organisation.
engineering judgement are
involved.
Temporary Works Classifications
Most of Chalcrofts temporary works shall fall around the 0 to 2 classification. The following
table is purely a guide to assist in classification and further guidance can be found in the TW
Procedure within CIMS:
Type Category
0 1 2 3
Piling platforms
Ground support including proprietary
<1.2m 1.2-3m >3m
support systems
Ground support systems less than
3mtrs deep in poor ground condition
Trench box design <4m >4m
Formwork for concrete (height) <1.2m 1.2-3m >3m
Falsework (height) <3m >3m
Tower Crane bases
Temporary foundations including
mobile crane outrigger pads
Sheeted scaffolds including debris
netting (irrespective of height)
Simple scaffolding <15m >15m
Trenches with timber shoring (or
<1.2m 1.2-3m >3m
other supports)
Designed scaffolding (cantilever
or hanging scaffold)
Complex structural steelwork
Material Loading Bays
Sheet pile temporary retaining
walls
TW – Appointment Letters
TW – Appointment Letters
Temporary Works Register - Example
Temporary Works – Form A
Temporary Works – Form B
Temporary Works – Form C
What happens when TW’s goes wrong…
Causes:

• No (or inadequate) TW procedure

• No (or inadequate) TWC appointed
• Lack of competent contractor/developer/ builder
• No (or inadequate) TW design
• Inadequate design brief or failure to carry out proper investigation of ground
conditions, underground services or structural condition of existing buildings
• Unauthorised changes to an approved TW design
• Lack of competent TW designer and/or contractors
• Incorrect estimation of loads to be supported (overloading)
• Lack of adequate lateral stability, inadequate horizontal and/or diagonal bracing to
resist lateral (wind) loads
• Inadequate foundations
• No temporary works equipment available
• Inappropriate use of TW equipment or other non TW equipment being used for the
purpose of TW
• TW poorly constructed
What happens when TW’s goes wrong…
Consequences:

• Collapse or failure of the TW

• Structural failure and/or collapse of the permanent works

• Uncontrolled ingress or egress of materials, spoils or water

• Collapse of adjacent structures

• Risk of fatalities and injuries to workers and members of the public

• Delays and increased costs

• Financial and commercial risks to subcontractors, designers, suppliers and clients

• HSE/LA Prosecution
Further information and guidance:
This presentation only provides some information on managing temporary works. Please
refer to the policy and procedure within CIMS or contact a member of the EHS
Department.

• CIMS under EHS/Temporary Works

• CIMS under EHS/Legal Info and Guidance

• HSE TW's Guidance

• Temporary Works - Construction Forum