Temporary works risk assessment is a core control within UK construction projects. In London and other major cities, where site conditions, sequencing and interfaces are constantly changing, risk assessments help identify hazards early and implement controls that prevent incidents during design, installation and use of temporary works.
Under BS 5975, risk assessment is part of a structured process that links design, brief, checking, registration and permit control. This ensures that risks associated with temporary works are not left to chance, but are systematically identified, evaluated and controlled.
What Is Temporary Works Risk Assessment?
Temporary works risk assessment is the process of identifying potential hazards that could affect the safe performance of a temporary works system, evaluating the likelihood and severity of those hazards, and implementing control measures to mitigate risk.
This assessment covers multiple stages of the temporary works lifecycle, from the initial design brief to installation, inspection, use, loading and eventual removal.
A robust risk assessment considers factors such as:
Risk assessment is not a one-off exercise; it must be updated whenever site conditions, loads or sequences change.
Why Risk Assessment Matters in Temporary Works
Temporary works failures are often linked to conditions that were not anticipated or properly controlled. For example:
A comprehensive risk assessment identifies these hazards early, allowing controls to be implemented before installation or loading.
Where Risk Assessment Fits Into the Temporary Works System
Risk assessment is integral to the wider temporary works control system under BS 5975. It sits alongside design brief, register and permit control to ensure a coherent approach to safety.
As explained in Temporary Works Register Explained (BS 5975): What It Is and What It Must Include, the temporary works register tracks all temporary works items and their status from design through to removal. Risk assessment feeds into this register by identifying hazards that must be addressed and controls that must be recorded.
Similarly, the design brief defines what the temporary works must achieve and under what conditions, forming the input to risk identification, as outlined in Temporary Works Design Brief Explained (BS 5975): What It Must Include and Why It Matters. Without a clear brief, risk assessment may miss key constraints or load conditions.
Risk assessment also directly supports the permit systems described in Temporary Works Permits Explained (BS 5975): Permit to Load, Proceed and Dismantle. For a permit to be issued (such as a permit to load) the risks associated with loading and structural performance must have been identified and controls verified. This integration ensures that risk assessment is not an isolated document, but part of a coherent, end-to-end temporary works control process.
How to Conduct a Temporary Works Risk Assessment
A temporary works risk assessment should:
In practical terms, risk assessments are often carried out by the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) in collaboration with designers, supervisors and site teams, with results recorded in project documents and the temporary works register.
Common Risk Assessment Failures
Failures in temporary works risk assessment are often linked to:
In some cases, risk assessments are treated as forms to tick rather than living documents. This undermines their purpose, leading to uncontrolled situations where hazards materialise during loading or use.
What This Means on Site
On site, a robust temporary works risk assessment means:
When risk assessment is done well, it reduces uncertainty and supports safer delivery. When it is done poorly, temporary works can become a source of incidents, delays and cost overruns.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works safety is not achieved through design alone. It requires structured identification and control of hazards throughout the lifecycle of the temporary works item. Evidence shows that failures are often linked to unrecognised hazards, incomplete risk assessments, and lack of integration with design, permits and registration systems.
In practical terms, this means that temporary works risk assessments must be comprehensive, updated regularly, and used to inform permits, design decisions and site implementation to ensure safe construction delivery.
Under BS 5975, risk assessment is part of a structured process that links design, brief, checking, registration and permit control. This ensures that risks associated with temporary works are not left to chance, but are systematically identified, evaluated and controlled.
What Is Temporary Works Risk Assessment?
Temporary works risk assessment is the process of identifying potential hazards that could affect the safe performance of a temporary works system, evaluating the likelihood and severity of those hazards, and implementing control measures to mitigate risk.
This assessment covers multiple stages of the temporary works lifecycle, from the initial design brief to installation, inspection, use, loading and eventual removal.
A robust risk assessment considers factors such as:
- Loading conditions and load paths
- Stability under construction loads
- Site constraints (ground conditions, existing structures)
- Sequence of works and interactions with permanent works
- Human factors (competence, communication, site culture)
- Environmental conditions (weather, vibration, adjacent works)
Risk assessment is not a one-off exercise; it must be updated whenever site conditions, loads or sequences change.
Why Risk Assessment Matters in Temporary Works
Temporary works failures are often linked to conditions that were not anticipated or properly controlled. For example:
- Temporary works being used before they are capable of supporting the intended loads
- Design assumptions that do not match site conditions
- Changes in construction sequence not communicated to design teams
- Temporary works installation not matching the approved design
A comprehensive risk assessment identifies these hazards early, allowing controls to be implemented before installation or loading.
Where Risk Assessment Fits Into the Temporary Works System
Risk assessment is integral to the wider temporary works control system under BS 5975. It sits alongside design brief, register and permit control to ensure a coherent approach to safety.
As explained in Temporary Works Register Explained (BS 5975): What It Is and What It Must Include, the temporary works register tracks all temporary works items and their status from design through to removal. Risk assessment feeds into this register by identifying hazards that must be addressed and controls that must be recorded.
Similarly, the design brief defines what the temporary works must achieve and under what conditions, forming the input to risk identification, as outlined in Temporary Works Design Brief Explained (BS 5975): What It Must Include and Why It Matters. Without a clear brief, risk assessment may miss key constraints or load conditions.
Risk assessment also directly supports the permit systems described in Temporary Works Permits Explained (BS 5975): Permit to Load, Proceed and Dismantle. For a permit to be issued (such as a permit to load) the risks associated with loading and structural performance must have been identified and controls verified. This integration ensures that risk assessment is not an isolated document, but part of a coherent, end-to-end temporary works control process.
How to Conduct a Temporary Works Risk Assessment
A temporary works risk assessment should:
- Define the scope: Identify the temporary works item, its purpose and the conditions under which it will operate.
- Identify hazards: List potential failure modes, site hazards, environmental effects, and human factors.
- Evaluate risk: Assess the likelihood and consequence of each hazard to prioritise controls.
- Define controls: Specify mitigation measures such as design changes, inspection points, procedures, training and permits.
- Record and monitor: Document the assessment and update it as conditions change.
In practical terms, risk assessments are often carried out by the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) in collaboration with designers, supervisors and site teams, with results recorded in project documents and the temporary works register.
Common Risk Assessment Failures
Failures in temporary works risk assessment are often linked to:
- Incomplete hazard identification
- Failure to update assessments when conditions change
- Assumptions not validated on site
- Poor communication between disciplines
- Controls not implemented or monitored
In some cases, risk assessments are treated as forms to tick rather than living documents. This undermines their purpose, leading to uncontrolled situations where hazards materialise during loading or use.
What This Means on Site
On site, a robust temporary works risk assessment means:
- Everyone understands what hazards exist and how they are controlled
- Temporary works are not used without proper authorisation and control (linked to permit systems)
- Design assumptions are validated against real conditions
- Inspection and monitoring points are defined in advance
- Control measures are communicated clearly to all stakeholders
When risk assessment is done well, it reduces uncertainty and supports safer delivery. When it is done poorly, temporary works can become a source of incidents, delays and cost overruns.
Evidence-Based Summary
Temporary works safety is not achieved through design alone. It requires structured identification and control of hazards throughout the lifecycle of the temporary works item. Evidence shows that failures are often linked to unrecognised hazards, incomplete risk assessments, and lack of integration with design, permits and registration systems.
In practical terms, this means that temporary works risk assessments must be comprehensive, updated regularly, and used to inform permits, design decisions and site implementation to ensure safe construction delivery.
Image © London Construction Magazine Limited
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
