Temporary works on UK construction projects require clear definition of responsibilities to ensure that design, coordination, implementation and control activities are properly managed. In London, where projects involve multiple contractors, complex sequencing and constrained working environments, failures often occur where responsibilities are unclear, overlapping or not enforced.
Under BS 5975, temporary works must be managed through defined roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and other duty holders. A responsibilities matrix provides clarity on who is responsible for each stage of the temporary works process, ensuring accountability and effective communication.
This article explains how responsibilities are structured under BS 5975, why clarity is critical to safety, and how a responsibilities matrix supports safe delivery on site. While procedures may be in place, evidence shows that failures occur where responsibilities are not clearly defined or understood, leading to gaps in control.
Under BS 5975, temporary works must be managed through defined roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and other duty holders. A responsibilities matrix provides clarity on who is responsible for each stage of the temporary works process, ensuring accountability and effective communication.
This article explains how responsibilities are structured under BS 5975, why clarity is critical to safety, and how a responsibilities matrix supports safe delivery on site. While procedures may be in place, evidence shows that failures occur where responsibilities are not clearly defined or understood, leading to gaps in control.
Temporary Works Responsibilities Are Defined Systems, Not Informal Roles
While temporary works procedures may exist, evidence shows that failures occur where responsibilities are unclear, overlapping or not enforced, meaning that safety depends not only on processes but on clearly defined accountability across all roles under BS 5975.
Why Responsibilities Must Be Clearly Defined
Temporary works involve multiple stages, including design, checking, coordination, installation, inspection and removal. Each stage requires input from different individuals with specific expertise.
If responsibilities are unclear, there is a risk that:
While temporary works procedures may exist, evidence shows that failures occur where responsibilities are unclear, overlapping or not enforced, meaning that safety depends not only on processes but on clearly defined accountability across all roles under BS 5975.
Why Responsibilities Must Be Clearly Defined
Temporary works involve multiple stages, including design, checking, coordination, installation, inspection and removal. Each stage requires input from different individuals with specific expertise.
If responsibilities are unclear, there is a risk that:
- Critical tasks are not completed
- Assumptions are made about who is responsible
- Communication breaks down
- Unsafe conditions are not identified or addressed
Temporary works failures are often linked to these gaps rather than absence of procedures. Clear allocation of responsibilities ensures that every aspect of the system is controlled.
What Is a Temporary Works Responsibilities Matrix?
A temporary works responsibilities matrix is a structured document that defines who is responsible for each task within the temporary works process.
It typically maps roles against key activities, such as:
- Preparing design briefs
- Carrying out design and checks
- Maintaining the Temporary Works Register
- Conducting risk assessments
- Inspecting temporary works
- Issuing permits
- Monitoring and auditing
The matrix ensures that responsibilities are clearly assigned and understood by all parties. In practice, it acts as a coordination tool, reducing ambiguity and improving communication across the project team.
Key Roles Under BS 5975
BS 5975 defines several key roles, each with specific responsibilities within the temporary works system.
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
The TWC is responsible for managing the temporary works process, ensuring that designs are prepared, checked and implemented safely. As explained in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties Explained: Roles, Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance the TWC oversees coordination, ensures procedures are followed and maintains control over the system.
BS 5975 defines several key roles, each with specific responsibilities within the temporary works system.
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
The TWC is responsible for managing the temporary works process, ensuring that designs are prepared, checked and implemented safely. As explained in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties Explained: Roles, Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance the TWC oversees coordination, ensures procedures are followed and maintains control over the system.
Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
The TWS is responsible for supervising temporary works on site, ensuring that installation matches the approved design and identifying issues during use. Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Duties Explained: Site Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance highlights the importance of site-level control and supervision.
The TWS is responsible for supervising temporary works on site, ensuring that installation matches the approved design and identifying issues during use. Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Duties Explained: Site Responsibilities and BS 5975 Compliance highlights the importance of site-level control and supervision.
Temporary Works Designer (TWD)
The designer is responsible for developing temporary works solutions that are safe and suitable for the conditions. Design must be based on accurate information and checked according to the appropriate level of risk.
Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC)
The design checker independently verifies the design to ensure adequacy and compliance. As outlined in Temporary Works Design Check Categories Explained (BS 5975): Category 0, 1, 2 and 3 the level of checking depends on complexity and risk.
Designated Individual (DI)
At organisational level, the Designated Individual is responsible for ensuring that procedures are in place and that competent resources are available.
Site Teams and Operatives
Site personnel are responsible for implementing temporary works in accordance with approved designs and procedures, reporting issues and following instructions.
The designer is responsible for developing temporary works solutions that are safe and suitable for the conditions. Design must be based on accurate information and checked according to the appropriate level of risk.
Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC)
The design checker independently verifies the design to ensure adequacy and compliance. As outlined in Temporary Works Design Check Categories Explained (BS 5975): Category 0, 1, 2 and 3 the level of checking depends on complexity and risk.
Designated Individual (DI)
At organisational level, the Designated Individual is responsible for ensuring that procedures are in place and that competent resources are available.
Site Teams and Operatives
Site personnel are responsible for implementing temporary works in accordance with approved designs and procedures, reporting issues and following instructions.
How Responsibilities Link to the Temporary Works System
Responsibilities must align with each stage of the temporary works lifecycle.
Design Stage
Responsibilities include preparing design briefs, developing designs and carrying out design checks.
Clear definition ensures that designs are based on accurate information and properly verified.
Risk Assessment Stage
Hazards must be identified and controlled. Temporary Works Risk Assessment (BS 5975): How to Identify and Control Risks explains how risk assessment supports safe design and implementation.
Responsibilities must be assigned for identifying, reviewing and updating risks.
Register and Coordination Stage
The Temporary Works Register tracks all items and their status. Temporary Works Register Explained (BS 5975): What It Is and What It Must Include shows how this central document supports coordination.
The TWC is typically responsible for maintaining the register.
Inspection and Monitoring Stage
Temporary works must be inspected before use and monitored during operation. Temporary Works Inspections (BS 5975): When, Who and What Must Be Checked outlines the inspection process.
Responsibilities must be defined for carrying out and recording inspections.
Permit and Control Stage
Temporary works must not be loaded or used without authorisation. Temporary Works Permits Explained (BS 5975): Permit to Load, Proceed and Dismantle explains how permits act as control points. Responsibilities must be defined for issuing and verifying permits.
Responsibilities must align with each stage of the temporary works lifecycle.
Design Stage
Responsibilities include preparing design briefs, developing designs and carrying out design checks.
Clear definition ensures that designs are based on accurate information and properly verified.
Risk Assessment Stage
Hazards must be identified and controlled. Temporary Works Risk Assessment (BS 5975): How to Identify and Control Risks explains how risk assessment supports safe design and implementation.
Responsibilities must be assigned for identifying, reviewing and updating risks.
Register and Coordination Stage
The Temporary Works Register tracks all items and their status. Temporary Works Register Explained (BS 5975): What It Is and What It Must Include shows how this central document supports coordination.
The TWC is typically responsible for maintaining the register.
Inspection and Monitoring Stage
Temporary works must be inspected before use and monitored during operation. Temporary Works Inspections (BS 5975): When, Who and What Must Be Checked outlines the inspection process.
Responsibilities must be defined for carrying out and recording inspections.
Permit and Control Stage
Temporary works must not be loaded or used without authorisation. Temporary Works Permits Explained (BS 5975): Permit to Load, Proceed and Dismantle explains how permits act as control points. Responsibilities must be defined for issuing and verifying permits.
Common Failures in Responsibility Allocation
Failures in temporary works are often linked to unclear or poorly managed responsibilities.
Common issues include:
Failures in temporary works are often linked to unclear or poorly managed responsibilities.
Common issues include:
- Overlapping responsibilities between roles
- Lack of clarity on who approves or authorises actions
- Roles assigned without sufficient competence
- Responsibilities not communicated to site teams
- Assumptions that others are responsible
These issues can lead to gaps in control, where critical tasks are not carried out or verified. In some cases, responsibilities exist on paper but are not understood or applied in practice.
Why a Responsibilities Matrix Prevents Failures
A responsibilities matrix reduces risk by:
- Clearly defining who is accountable for each task
- Improving communication between roles
- Ensuring that all control stages are covered
- Supporting audit and compliance processes
- Providing a reference for decision-making
It also supports training and competence management by clarifying expectations for each role. Where responsibilities are clearly defined and understood, the temporary works system is more likely to function effectively.
What This Means on Site
In practical terms, a responsibilities matrix should be actively used, not just documented.
On site, this means:
- Clearly defining roles at project start
- Communicating responsibilities to all stakeholders
- Ensuring competence aligns with responsibilities
- Reviewing responsibilities as the project evolves
- Using the matrix to support audits and reviews
Responsibilities must be visible, understood and enforced. Where roles are unclear, risks increase significantly, even where procedures exist.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works safety is not achieved through procedures alone but through clear allocation of responsibility across all stages of the process. Evidence shows that failures often occur where responsibilities are unclear, overlapping or not enforced, leading to gaps in design, coordination, inspection and control.
In practical terms, this means that a responsibilities matrix under BS 5975 is a critical control tool, ensuring that each aspect of the temporary works system is assigned, understood and managed, supporting safe and effective delivery on UK construction projects.
For a structured overview of how temporary works should be managed in UK
construction, including roles, design checks and compliance
requirements, see this Temporary Works UK: BS 5975 Compliance Guidance.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
