Why Temporary Works are Non-Negotiable in UK Construction and the Critical Role of BS Standards
The towering skylines and intricate infrastructure projects that define the UK construction landscape are testaments to human ingenuity and meticulous planning. However, beneath the permanent structures lies a crucial, often unseen, world of temporary works. These are the engineered solutions designed to support or facilitate construction activities, from initial excavation to final finishing. While transient by nature, their importance to safety, efficiency and the overall success of a project cannot be overstated.
Temporary works encompass a vast array of elements, including:
⬝ Formwork and Falsework: Moulds and support structures for concrete placement.
⬝ Scaffolding and Access Platforms: Providing safe working access at height.
⬝ Excavation Support: Systems like trench sheets, shoring and piling to prevent collapses.
⬝ Lifting Equipment Support: Foundations and structures for cranes and hoists.
⬝ Site Hoardings and Barriers: Ensuring site security and public safety.
⬝ Temporary Bridges and Roadways: Facilitating site access and material movement.
⬝ Propping and Needling: Supporting existing structures during alterations or demolition.
⬝ Scaffolding and Access Platforms: Providing safe working access at height.
⬝ Excavation Support: Systems like trench sheets, shoring and piling to prevent collapses.
⬝ Lifting Equipment Support: Foundations and structures for cranes and hoists.
⬝ Site Hoardings and Barriers: Ensuring site security and public safety.
⬝ Temporary Bridges and Roadways: Facilitating site access and material movement.
⬝ Propping and Needling: Supporting existing structures during alterations or demolition.
Their significance stems from several key factors:
⬝ Safety First: Temporary works are paramount to ensuring the safety of the workforce and the public. A failure in a temporary structure can have catastrophic consequences, leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Properly designed and erected temporary works mitigate these risks significantly.
⬝ Enabling Construction: Many permanent works simply cannot be built without the support and access provided by temporary works. They create the necessary conditions for safe and efficient construction processes.
⬝ Maintaining Stability: Temporary works provide stability to excavations, partially built structures and existing buildings undergoing modification, preventing collapses and ensuring structural integrity throughout the construction phase.
⬝ Improving Efficiency: Well-planned and executed temporary works can streamline construction processes, allowing for faster material movement, improved access and optimised workflows, ultimately contributing to project timelines and budgets.
⬝ Quality Assurance: Properly designed formwork, for example, directly influences the quality and finish of concrete structures.
The Critical Importance of British Standards (BS) for Temporary Works:
Given the inherent risks associated with temporary works, adherence to robust standards is non-negotiable. In the UK, British Standards (BS) provide the authoritative framework for the design, specification, and use of temporary works. These standards are developed through industry consensus and represent best practices, ensuring a high level of safety and quality.
Checking and complying with the relevant BS for temporary works is crucial for several reasons:
Given the inherent risks associated with temporary works, adherence to robust standards is non-negotiable. In the UK, British Standards (BS) provide the authoritative framework for the design, specification, and use of temporary works. These standards are developed through industry consensus and represent best practices, ensuring a high level of safety and quality.
Checking and complying with the relevant BS for temporary works is crucial for several reasons:
⬝ Ensuring Safety: BS standards incorporate decades of experience and engineering principles aimed at preventing failures and ensuring the stability and safety of temporary structures. Compliance demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of all stakeholders.
⬝ Legal Compliance: While not all BS standards are legally mandated, many are referenced in regulations and are considered the benchmark for demonstrating due diligence and meeting legal obligations under health and safety legislation.
⬝ Mitigating Liability: Failure to adhere to recognised standards like BS can expose contractors and other parties to significant legal and financial liabilities in the event of an incident.
⬝ Promoting Best Practice: BS standards embody industry best practices, ensuring that temporary works are designed, erected and maintained to a high professional standard.
⬝ Facilitating Communication: Using common standards facilitates clear communication and understanding between designers, contractors and other parties involved in the project.
⬝ Ensuring Quality: Standards related to materials and construction practices contribute to the overall quality and reliability of temporary works.
Key British Standards Relevant to Temporary Works (Examples):
While a comprehensive list is extensive, some key BS standards that professionals in the UK construction industry must be familiar with include:
Key British Standards Relevant to Temporary Works (Examples):
While a comprehensive list is extensive, some key BS standards that professionals in the UK construction industry must be familiar with include:
⬝ BS EN 12811 series: Relates to temporary works equipment, specifically performance requirements and general design for access and working scaffolds.
⬝ BS 5975: Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework: This is a cornerstone standard providing guidance on the procedural aspects of managing temporary works and the structural design of falsework. It covers roles and responsibilities, documentation, design checks and on-site management.
⬝ BS EN 13374: Specifies the requirements for temporary edge protection systems for use during construction or maintenance work.
⬝ BS EN 13914-2: Deals with the design, preparation and application of external rendering and internal plastering, often involving temporary access solutions.
⬝ BS 5975: Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework: This is a cornerstone standard providing guidance on the procedural aspects of managing temporary works and the structural design of falsework. It covers roles and responsibilities, documentation, design checks and on-site management.
⬝ BS EN 13374: Specifies the requirements for temporary edge protection systems for use during construction or maintenance work.
⬝ BS EN 13914-2: Deals with the design, preparation and application of external rendering and internal plastering, often involving temporary access solutions.
⬝ Relevant BS EN standards for specific materials used in temporary works (e.g., steel, timber).
The Vital Role of Training and Competence:
Beyond adherence to BS standards, the competence of individuals involved in all stages of temporary works is paramount. This includes:
The Vital Role of Training and Competence:
Beyond adherence to BS standards, the competence of individuals involved in all stages of temporary works is paramount. This includes:
⬝ Designers: Must be qualified and experienced in temporary works design, capable of interpreting BS standards and producing safe and efficient designs.
⬝ Supervisors: Need thorough training to understand the risks associated with temporary works, interpret design drawings and ensure correct erection and maintenance on site.
⬝ Erectors and Dismantlers: Require specific training in the safe assembly, alteration and dismantling of various types of temporary works systems, adhering to manufacturer's instructions and relevant standards.
⬝ Temporary Works Coordinators (TWCs): As defined in BS 5975, TWCs play a crucial role in overseeing and coordinating all temporary works activities on a project, ensuring compliance with procedures and standards. Formal training and certification for TWCs are essential.
Temporary works are not a peripheral aspect of UK construction; they are an integral and critical foundation upon which successful and safe projects are built. Understanding their importance and rigorously adhering to the relevant British Standards is not merely a matter of best practice – it is a fundamental responsibility.
By prioritising competence, training and a deep understanding of standards like BS 5975 and the EN 12811 series, the UK construction industry can continue to build with confidence, ensuring the safety of its workforce and the quality of its infrastructure for generations to come.
Ignoring the unseen backbone of temporary works is a risk no project can afford to take.
