Temporary works on UK construction projects must be controlled through a structured process that ensures all risks are identified, designed and managed. In London, where projects involve multiple subcontractors, changing site conditions and complex sequencing, failures in temporary works are often linked to poor visibility and lack of control over what is actually in place on site.
Under BS 5975, one of the key control tools used to manage this complexity is the Temporary Works Register, which provides a central record of all temporary works on a project and their status.
What Is a Temporary Works Register?
The Temporary Works Register is a live document that records all temporary works items on a construction project, including their design, approval, implementation and removal stages.
It is used to ensure that no temporary works are overlooked and that all systems are managed through the correct procedures.
Typically, the register will include:
Under BS 5975, one of the key control tools used to manage this complexity is the Temporary Works Register, which provides a central record of all temporary works on a project and their status.
What Is a Temporary Works Register?
The Temporary Works Register is a live document that records all temporary works items on a construction project, including their design, approval, implementation and removal stages.
It is used to ensure that no temporary works are overlooked and that all systems are managed through the correct procedures.
Typically, the register will include:
- Description of the temporary works
- Reference to design drawings
- Design category and check requirements
- Approval status
- Permit-to-load or permit-to-proceed status
- Installation and removal dates
The purpose of the register is to provide visibility and control, ensuring that all temporary works are accounted for and properly managed throughout their lifecycle.
Temporary Works Register Within the BS 5975 Framework
The Temporary Works Register sits at the centre of the BS 5975 control process, linking design, coordination and site implementation.
As outlined in Temporary Works Explained (BS 5975): What They Are and Why They Matter on Site, temporary works are critical to construction sequencing and structural stability, often carrying significant loads during key stages of the build. The article highlights how these systems must be treated with the same level of engineering control as permanent works, requiring formal processes and documentation.
The register is the mechanism that brings all these elements together, ensuring that temporary works are planned, tracked and controlled as part of a structured system.
BS 5975 requires that temporary works are managed from design through to final inspection, including monitoring and quality control during construction
Who Is Responsible for the Temporary Works Register?
The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Temporary Works Register.
As explained in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties Explained: Roles, Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance, the TWC manages the overall control system, ensuring that all temporary works are properly recorded, designed and approved.
The register is one of the TWC’s key tools for maintaining oversight of all temporary works activities on a project.
The Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) supports this process by ensuring that the information in the register reflects what is actually constructed on site.
As outlined in Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Duties Explained: Roles, Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance, the TWS is responsible for supervising installation and identifying any deviations from approved designs.
Together, the TWC and TWS ensure that the register is accurate, up to date and aligned with site conditions.
Why the Temporary Works Register Is Critical
The Temporary Works Register is not just an administrative document. It is a control system that helps prevent failures.
Without a register, temporary works can be:
- Installed without design approval
- Used without inspection or permit
- Modified without review
- Left in place beyond their intended use
On complex projects, it is common for multiple temporary works systems to be in place at the same time. Without a clear register, it becomes difficult to track their status, increasing the risk of error.
A well-maintained register ensures that every temporary works item is visible, approved and controlled.
Common Failures in Temporary Works Registers
Failures in temporary works management are often linked to weaknesses in the register. Common issues include:
- Missing or incomplete entries
- Outdated information
- Lack of design references
- Failure to update status following inspections
- Temporary works not included in the register
In some cases, temporary works are introduced on site without being added to the register, particularly under programme pressure.
This creates a gap in control, where systems are used without proper design or approval.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, the Temporary Works Register must be treated as a live control document, not a static record.
On site, this means:
- Updating the register as new temporary works are introduced
- Ensuring all items are designed and approved before use
- Linking the register to permit systems
- Coordinating with site teams to reflect actual conditions
The register should be regularly reviewed and used as part of site inspections and coordination meetings.
Where the register is actively used, it provides a clear overview of all temporary works and their status, supporting safe delivery.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works control is not driven by documentation alone but by a combination of coordination, visibility and procedural management. While systems such as the Temporary Works Register provide structure, evidence shows that failures often occur where records are incomplete, outdated or not actively used.
In practical terms, this means that the Temporary Works Register must be maintained as a live control tool, ensuring that all temporary works are properly designed, approved and managed throughout the construction process.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works control is not driven by documentation alone but by a combination of coordination, visibility and procedural management. While systems such as the Temporary Works Register provide structure, evidence shows that failures often occur where records are incomplete, outdated or not actively used.
In practical terms, this means that the Temporary Works Register must be maintained as a live control tool, ensuring that all temporary works are properly designed, approved 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 |
