On UK construction projects, the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) plays a central role in managing the safe design, coordination and implementation of temporary works. In London, where projects are often complex, constrained and fast-paced, failures in temporary works are frequently linked not to design errors alone, but to breakdowns in coordination, communication and control.
BS 5975 establishes the TWC as the key duty holder responsible for ensuring that temporary works are properly managed throughout their lifecycle.
What Does a Temporary Works Coordinator Do?
While temporary works design is carried out by engineers, evidence shows that safe implementation depends on coordination, control and communication led by the Temporary Works Coordinator.
While temporary works design is carried out by engineers, evidence shows that safe implementation depends on coordination, control and communication led by the Temporary Works Coordinator.
Temporary works coordination cannot be understood in isolation from the wider temporary works system. As explained in Temporary Works Explained (BS 5975): What They Are and Why They Matter on Site, temporary works form a critical part of the construction process, supporting stability, sequencing and safe delivery.
The role of the Temporary Works Coordinator sits within this broader framework, ensuring that these systems are properly controlled from design through to implementation and removal.
Understanding the Role of the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
The Temporary Works Coordinator is the person appointed by the contractor to manage the temporary works process on a construction project. The role is procedural rather than design-focused, ensuring that all temporary works are properly planned, designed, checked, implemented and removed in accordance with BS 5975.
The TWC acts as the central point of control, linking designers, site teams, subcontractors and management. This ensures that temporary works are not installed, altered or removed without proper approval.
The role is critical because temporary works often change during the construction process, requiring continuous coordination rather than a one-off design decision.
Core Duties of the Temporary Works Coordinator
The TWC is responsible for establishing and maintaining the temporary works control system on site. This includes ensuring that all temporary works are recorded in a Temporary Works Register, which tracks design, approval, implementation and removal stages.
A key duty is to ensure that all temporary works designs are carried out by competent designers and that appropriate design checks are completed before implementation. The TWC must verify that designs are suitable for the intended purpose and that any design assumptions are clearly communicated to the site team.
The TWC also manages the permit-to-load or permit-to-proceed system, ensuring that temporary works are not used until they have been inspected and approved. This is a critical control point that prevents unsafe or incomplete systems from being put into service.
Coordination and Communication Responsibilities
One of the most important aspects of the TWC role is communication. Temporary works often involve multiple parties, including designers, subcontractors and site operatives, and miscommunication can lead to serious failures.
The TWC must ensure that all relevant information, including drawings, design assumptions and loading requirements, is clearly communicated to those carrying out the work. This includes ensuring that any changes to design or site conditions are properly reviewed and approved.
Regular briefings, inspections and coordination meetings are essential to maintain control over temporary works, particularly on complex or changing sites.
Ensuring Compliance with BS 5975
BS 5975 requires that temporary works are managed through a defined control process, and the TWC is responsible for implementing this process on site. This includes ensuring that competent personnel are appointed, design checks are carried out, and that records are maintained.
The TWC must also ensure that temporary works are inspected before use and that they remain in a safe condition throughout their lifecycle. Where issues are identified, the TWC has the authority to stop work until the issue is resolved.
Compliance with BS 5975 is not optional. It forms part of the contractor’s duty under health and safety legislation to ensure that construction activities are carried out safely.
Common Failures in TWC Management
Failures in temporary works are often linked to weaknesses in coordination rather than technical design. Common issues include incomplete registers, lack of design checks, poor communication of design assumptions, and unauthorised changes on site.
In some cases, the TWC role is not clearly defined or is assigned to someone without sufficient experience or authority. This can lead to gaps in control, particularly where multiple subcontractors are involved.
Another common issue is the use of temporary works without a formal permit, increasing the risk that systems are used before they are complete or properly inspected.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, the effectiveness of temporary works management depends on the strength of the coordination process. The TWC must be actively involved in the project, with sufficient authority to enforce procedures and stop unsafe practices.
On site, this means maintaining up-to-date records, ensuring that designs are reviewed and approved, and carrying out regular inspections. It also means ensuring that all parties understand their responsibilities and that communication is maintained throughout the construction process.
Where the TWC role is properly implemented, it provides a structured system that reduces risk and supports safe project delivery.
Evidence-Based Summary
The effectiveness of temporary works is not driven by design alone but by a combination of coordination, communication and procedural control. While competent design is essential, evidence shows that failures often arise where coordination processes are weak or not enforced.
Understanding the Role of the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
The Temporary Works Coordinator is the person appointed by the contractor to manage the temporary works process on a construction project. The role is procedural rather than design-focused, ensuring that all temporary works are properly planned, designed, checked, implemented and removed in accordance with BS 5975.
The TWC acts as the central point of control, linking designers, site teams, subcontractors and management. This ensures that temporary works are not installed, altered or removed without proper approval.
The role is critical because temporary works often change during the construction process, requiring continuous coordination rather than a one-off design decision.
Core Duties of the Temporary Works Coordinator
The TWC is responsible for establishing and maintaining the temporary works control system on site. This includes ensuring that all temporary works are recorded in a Temporary Works Register, which tracks design, approval, implementation and removal stages.
A key duty is to ensure that all temporary works designs are carried out by competent designers and that appropriate design checks are completed before implementation. The TWC must verify that designs are suitable for the intended purpose and that any design assumptions are clearly communicated to the site team.
The TWC also manages the permit-to-load or permit-to-proceed system, ensuring that temporary works are not used until they have been inspected and approved. This is a critical control point that prevents unsafe or incomplete systems from being put into service.
Coordination and Communication Responsibilities
One of the most important aspects of the TWC role is communication. Temporary works often involve multiple parties, including designers, subcontractors and site operatives, and miscommunication can lead to serious failures.
The TWC must ensure that all relevant information, including drawings, design assumptions and loading requirements, is clearly communicated to those carrying out the work. This includes ensuring that any changes to design or site conditions are properly reviewed and approved.
Regular briefings, inspections and coordination meetings are essential to maintain control over temporary works, particularly on complex or changing sites.
Ensuring Compliance with BS 5975
BS 5975 requires that temporary works are managed through a defined control process, and the TWC is responsible for implementing this process on site. This includes ensuring that competent personnel are appointed, design checks are carried out, and that records are maintained.
The TWC must also ensure that temporary works are inspected before use and that they remain in a safe condition throughout their lifecycle. Where issues are identified, the TWC has the authority to stop work until the issue is resolved.
Compliance with BS 5975 is not optional. It forms part of the contractor’s duty under health and safety legislation to ensure that construction activities are carried out safely.
Common Failures in TWC Management
Failures in temporary works are often linked to weaknesses in coordination rather than technical design. Common issues include incomplete registers, lack of design checks, poor communication of design assumptions, and unauthorised changes on site.
In some cases, the TWC role is not clearly defined or is assigned to someone without sufficient experience or authority. This can lead to gaps in control, particularly where multiple subcontractors are involved.
Another common issue is the use of temporary works without a formal permit, increasing the risk that systems are used before they are complete or properly inspected.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, the effectiveness of temporary works management depends on the strength of the coordination process. The TWC must be actively involved in the project, with sufficient authority to enforce procedures and stop unsafe practices.
On site, this means maintaining up-to-date records, ensuring that designs are reviewed and approved, and carrying out regular inspections. It also means ensuring that all parties understand their responsibilities and that communication is maintained throughout the construction process.
Where the TWC role is properly implemented, it provides a structured system that reduces risk and supports safe project delivery.
Evidence-Based Summary
The effectiveness of temporary works is not driven by design alone but by a combination of coordination, communication and procedural control. While competent design is essential, evidence shows that failures often arise where coordination processes are weak or not enforced.
In practical terms, this means that the Temporary Works Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring that temporary works are safely implemented and controlled on site.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
