Temporary works on UK construction projects are governed by BS 5975, which requires that all temporary works activities are managed by competent personnel with appropriate knowledge, experience and authority. In London, where construction involves complex sequencing, constrained sites and multiple interfaces, competence is a key risk factor influencing design quality, inspection effectiveness and overall site safety.
This article explains how competence and training requirements apply to temporary works roles under BS 5975, including Temporary Works Coordinators, Supervisors and Designers, and why inadequate competence is a common cause of temporary works failure on site.
This article explains how competence and training requirements apply to temporary works roles under BS 5975, including Temporary Works Coordinators, Supervisors and Designers, and why inadequate competence is a common cause of temporary works failure on site.
Why Temporary Works Competence Is a Critical Risk Factor
Temporary works on UK construction projects are only as safe as the people responsible for designing, coordinating and supervising them. In London, where projects involve complex sequencing, constrained sites and multiple stakeholders, failures in temporary works are often linked not to lack of procedures, but to lack of competence, training and authority.
Under BS 5975, competence is a fundamental requirement across all temporary works roles. Without competent personnel, even well-designed systems and procedures can fail in practice.
What Is Competence in Temporary Works?
Competence in temporary works refers to a combination of knowledge, training, experience and authority required to carry out a role safely and effectively.
This includes:
Competence is not defined by qualifications alone. It must reflect the complexity of the temporary works and the risks involved.
Why Competence Matters in Temporary Works
Temporary works often carry significant loads and support structures that are not yet stable. During construction, load paths may be incomplete and conditions may change rapidly.
Evidence from industry practice shows that failures frequently occur where:
Even where systems are in place, lack of competence can lead to incorrect decisions, unsafe implementation and increased risk.
Roles Requiring Competence Under BS 5975
BS 5975 defines several key roles, each requiring appropriate competence:
Each role has different responsibilities, but all require suitable knowledge and experience.
For example, as explained in Temporary Works Inspections (BS 5975): When, Who and What Must Be Checked inspection is a critical control stage. Without competent personnel carrying out inspections, defects, damage or incorrect installation may go unnoticed, increasing the risk of failure.
Competence in Design and Checking
Temporary works design and checking require a high level of technical competence.
As outlined in Temporary Works Design Check Categories Explained (BS 5975): Category 0, 1, 2 and 3 the level of checking required depends on the complexity and risk of the design. Higher-risk designs require more independent and experienced engineers to verify calculations and assumptions.
Industry guidance emphasises that design checks must verify concept, adequacy and compliance before construction begins. Without competent designers and checkers, errors may not be identified, leading to unsafe temporary works.
Competence in Risk Assessment and Site Control
Competence is also critical in identifying and managing risks associated with temporary works.
As explained in Temporary Works Risk Assessment (BS 5975): How to Identify and Control Risks risk assessment requires understanding of load paths, sequencing, environmental conditions and human factors. Without competent personnel, hazards may be overlooked, and control measures may not be effective.
Training Requirements for Temporary Works
Competence is supported by formal training, but training alone is not sufficient.
Typical training includes:
However, competence must be assessed in relation to the specific project. A person competent for simple works may not be competent for complex or high-risk temporary works.
Authority and Organisational Support
Competence is not only about knowledge and experience, it also requires authority.
Temporary works roles must have the authority to:
Stop unsafe work
Without authority, even competent individuals may be unable to control risks effectively.
Common Failures in Competence Management
Failures in temporary works are often linked to weaknesses in competence management rather than absence of procedures.
Common issues include:
In some cases, roles are assigned for administrative purposes rather than based on competence, leading to gaps in control.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, competence must be actively managed on construction projects.
On site, this means:
Where competence is strong, temporary works can be managed safely and effectively. Where it is weak, risks increase significantly, even where procedures exist.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works safety is not driven by procedures alone but by a combination of competence, experience and authority across all roles. While systems such as design checks, inspections and risk assessments provide structure, evidence shows that failures often occur where individuals lack the knowledge or authority to apply these controls effectively.
In practical terms, this means that competence under BS 5975 is a critical control measure, ensuring that temporary works are properly designed, verified and managed throughout the construction process.
Temporary works on UK construction projects are only as safe as the people responsible for designing, coordinating and supervising them. In London, where projects involve complex sequencing, constrained sites and multiple stakeholders, failures in temporary works are often linked not to lack of procedures, but to lack of competence, training and authority.
Under BS 5975, competence is a fundamental requirement across all temporary works roles. Without competent personnel, even well-designed systems and procedures can fail in practice.
What Is Competence in Temporary Works?
Competence in temporary works refers to a combination of knowledge, training, experience and authority required to carry out a role safely and effectively.
This includes:
- Understanding of temporary works principles and risks
- Knowledge of BS 5975 procedures
- Ability to interpret drawings and design requirements
- Experience in construction sequencing and site conditions
- Authority to challenge unsafe practices
Competence is not defined by qualifications alone. It must reflect the complexity of the temporary works and the risks involved.
Why Competence Matters in Temporary Works
Temporary works often carry significant loads and support structures that are not yet stable. During construction, load paths may be incomplete and conditions may change rapidly.
Evidence from industry practice shows that failures frequently occur where:
- Design assumptions are misunderstood
- Procedures are not followed
- Inspections are inadequate
- Communication breaks down
Even where systems are in place, lack of competence can lead to incorrect decisions, unsafe implementation and increased risk.
Roles Requiring Competence Under BS 5975
BS 5975 defines several key roles, each requiring appropriate competence:
- Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
- Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
- Temporary Works Designer (TWD)
- Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC)
Each role has different responsibilities, but all require suitable knowledge and experience.
For example, as explained in Temporary Works Inspections (BS 5975): When, Who and What Must Be Checked inspection is a critical control stage. Without competent personnel carrying out inspections, defects, damage or incorrect installation may go unnoticed, increasing the risk of failure.
Competence in Design and Checking
Temporary works design and checking require a high level of technical competence.
As outlined in Temporary Works Design Check Categories Explained (BS 5975): Category 0, 1, 2 and 3 the level of checking required depends on the complexity and risk of the design. Higher-risk designs require more independent and experienced engineers to verify calculations and assumptions.
Industry guidance emphasises that design checks must verify concept, adequacy and compliance before construction begins. Without competent designers and checkers, errors may not be identified, leading to unsafe temporary works.
Competence in Risk Assessment and Site Control
Competence is also critical in identifying and managing risks associated with temporary works.
As explained in Temporary Works Risk Assessment (BS 5975): How to Identify and Control Risks risk assessment requires understanding of load paths, sequencing, environmental conditions and human factors. Without competent personnel, hazards may be overlooked, and control measures may not be effective.
Training Requirements for Temporary Works
Competence is supported by formal training, but training alone is not sufficient.
Typical training includes:
- Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) training courses
- Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) training
- Engineering qualifications for designers
- Site experience and mentoring
However, competence must be assessed in relation to the specific project. A person competent for simple works may not be competent for complex or high-risk temporary works.
Authority and Organisational Support
Competence is not only about knowledge and experience, it also requires authority.
Temporary works roles must have the authority to:
Stop unsafe work
- Reject non-compliant installations
- Require design changes
- Enforce procedures
Without authority, even competent individuals may be unable to control risks effectively.
Common Failures in Competence Management
Failures in temporary works are often linked to weaknesses in competence management rather than absence of procedures.
Common issues include:
- Inadequate training for TWC or TWS roles
- Roles assigned without sufficient experience
- Lack of understanding of design assumptions
- Poor communication between teams
- Lack of authority to enforce controls
In some cases, roles are assigned for administrative purposes rather than based on competence, leading to gaps in control.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, competence must be actively managed on construction projects.
On site, this means:
- Appointing suitably qualified and experienced personnel
- Matching competence to complexity and risk
- Providing training and ongoing development
- Ensuring clear responsibilities and authority
- Monitoring performance and supervision
Where competence is strong, temporary works can be managed safely and effectively. Where it is weak, risks increase significantly, even where procedures exist.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works safety is not driven by procedures alone but by a combination of competence, experience and authority across all roles. While systems such as design checks, inspections and risk assessments provide structure, evidence shows that failures often occur where individuals lack the knowledge or authority to apply these controls effectively.
In practical terms, this means that competence under BS 5975 is a critical control measure, ensuring that temporary works are properly designed, verified and managed throughout the construction process.
Image © London Construction Magazine Limited
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
