Temporary works are used on almost every construction project in London, from excavation support and formwork to access systems and propping arrangements. While they are often seen as temporary or secondary elements, failures in temporary works remain one of the most common causes of structural incidents, site delays and safety risks.
Under UK construction practice, temporary works must be properly designed, checked and controlled in the same way as permanent works, with clear responsibilities defined under BS 5975.
What Are Temporary Works in Construction?
Temporary works are the parts of a construction project that enable the permanent works to be constructed safely and are usually removed after the permanent works are completed.
Temporary works are the parts of a construction project that enable the permanent works to be constructed safely and are usually removed after the permanent works are completed.
Understanding Temporary Works in Practice
Temporary works include any structure, system or support required to construct, maintain or protect permanent works during the construction process. This can include excavation support systems, scaffolding, falsework, formwork, propping, access platforms, and temporary stability systems.
Although these elements are not intended to remain as part of the final structure, they play a critical role in enabling construction activities to take place safely and efficiently. Temporary works often carry significant loads, particularly during construction phases where materials such as wet concrete can generate higher forces than the completed structure.
In practice, temporary works are not informal or ad hoc solutions. They require formal design, coordination and control to ensure that the construction process does not introduce structural instability or safety risks.
Temporary Works Under BS 5975
BS 5975 sets out the procedural control framework for temporary works in the UK. It establishes the requirement for temporary works to be planned, designed, checked, implemented and removed under a controlled process.
The standard introduces defined roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), and requires the use of systems such as the Temporary Works Register and formal design checks.
A key principle is that temporary works must be treated with the same level of engineering rigour as permanent works. There is no distinction in law between temporary and permanent works when considering safety and structural integrity.
Temporary works include any structure, system or support required to construct, maintain or protect permanent works during the construction process. This can include excavation support systems, scaffolding, falsework, formwork, propping, access platforms, and temporary stability systems.
Although these elements are not intended to remain as part of the final structure, they play a critical role in enabling construction activities to take place safely and efficiently. Temporary works often carry significant loads, particularly during construction phases where materials such as wet concrete can generate higher forces than the completed structure.
In practice, temporary works are not informal or ad hoc solutions. They require formal design, coordination and control to ensure that the construction process does not introduce structural instability or safety risks.
Temporary Works Under BS 5975
BS 5975 sets out the procedural control framework for temporary works in the UK. It establishes the requirement for temporary works to be planned, designed, checked, implemented and removed under a controlled process.
The standard introduces defined roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), and requires the use of systems such as the Temporary Works Register and formal design checks.
A key principle is that temporary works must be treated with the same level of engineering rigour as permanent works. There is no distinction in law between temporary and permanent works when considering safety and structural integrity.
Temporary works are managed through a defined control process, and responsibility for that process sits with specific duty holders on site. As outlined in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties Explained: Roles, Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance, the Temporary Works Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that designs are checked, approved and implemented safely, forming a critical link between design intent and site execution.
Why Temporary Works Matter on Site
Temporary works are often critical to the stability of partially completed structures. During construction, permanent works may not yet be self-supporting, meaning that temporary systems are responsible for carrying loads and maintaining stability.
This can include supporting excavations, holding formwork in place during concrete pours, or providing lateral stability to structures that are not yet complete. The loading conditions during construction can be more severe than in the final state, particularly where dynamic activities, incomplete load paths or changing conditions are involved.
Failure to properly manage temporary works can result in structural collapse, injury, project delays and significant financial consequences.
Common Risks Associated with Temporary Works
Temporary works failures are often linked to a combination of design, coordination and site control issues. Common risks include overloading, inadequate design, reuse of damaged equipment, and unapproved modifications on site.
Changes in site conditions, such as ground instability or weather, can also affect temporary works performance. In many cases, failures occur where communication breaks down between design and site teams, or where temporary works are implemented without proper checking or approval.
Because temporary works are often removed or altered during construction, there is also a risk that they are not given the same level of attention as permanent works, increasing the likelihood of error.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, temporary works should never be treated as secondary or informal elements of construction. They require the same level of planning, design and supervision as permanent works, particularly where they are critical to structural stability.
On site, this means that temporary works must be clearly identified, properly designed, and subject to formal approval processes before installation. Responsibilities must be defined, and communication between designers, coordinators and site teams must be maintained throughout the construction process.
Where temporary works are not properly controlled, the risk of failure increases significantly, particularly in complex or fast-paced construction environments.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works are not driven by a single factor but by a combination of construction sequencing, load management and structural stability requirements during the build process. While they are often considered temporary, evidence shows that failures in temporary works are commonly linked to inadequate design, poor coordination and lack of site control.
Why Temporary Works Matter on Site
Temporary works are often critical to the stability of partially completed structures. During construction, permanent works may not yet be self-supporting, meaning that temporary systems are responsible for carrying loads and maintaining stability.
This can include supporting excavations, holding formwork in place during concrete pours, or providing lateral stability to structures that are not yet complete. The loading conditions during construction can be more severe than in the final state, particularly where dynamic activities, incomplete load paths or changing conditions are involved.
Failure to properly manage temporary works can result in structural collapse, injury, project delays and significant financial consequences.
Common Risks Associated with Temporary Works
Temporary works failures are often linked to a combination of design, coordination and site control issues. Common risks include overloading, inadequate design, reuse of damaged equipment, and unapproved modifications on site.
Changes in site conditions, such as ground instability or weather, can also affect temporary works performance. In many cases, failures occur where communication breaks down between design and site teams, or where temporary works are implemented without proper checking or approval.
Because temporary works are often removed or altered during construction, there is also a risk that they are not given the same level of attention as permanent works, increasing the likelihood of error.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, temporary works should never be treated as secondary or informal elements of construction. They require the same level of planning, design and supervision as permanent works, particularly where they are critical to structural stability.
On site, this means that temporary works must be clearly identified, properly designed, and subject to formal approval processes before installation. Responsibilities must be defined, and communication between designers, coordinators and site teams must be maintained throughout the construction process.
Where temporary works are not properly controlled, the risk of failure increases significantly, particularly in complex or fast-paced construction environments.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works are not driven by a single factor but by a combination of construction sequencing, load management and structural stability requirements during the build process. While they are often considered temporary, evidence shows that failures in temporary works are commonly linked to inadequate design, poor coordination and lack of site control.
In practical terms, this means that temporary works must be managed with the same level of engineering rigour as permanent works to ensure safety and project delivery.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
