| Status | Live doctrine pillar (updated as BS 5975 interpretation, site practice and regulatory expectations evolve) |
| Authority |
BS 5975 (Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework)
Supporting guidance: Temporary Works Forum learning resources, CITB training routes, HSE construction safety guidance, and Building Safety Regulator expectations where relevant |
| Applicability | UK clients, designers, principal contractors, contractors, temporary works coordinators (TWC), temporary works supervisors (TWS), temporary works designers and checkers responsible for planning, design, checking, implementation and control of temporary works |
| Period covered | Current practice (BS 5975), with post-2024 Building Safety Act and BSR compliance context where relevant |
Introduction
In London, temporary works rarely behave like temporary decisions. They sit inside tight logistics plans, phased handovers, basement constraints, live interfaces, and compressed programmes where one missed check can lock risk into the next trade. On high-density sites, the real failure mode is not a single prop or scaffold detail, it is loss of control: unclear appointments, rushed design briefs, design checks treated as paperwork, permits issued without site-ready verification, and inspections that don’t match what was actually built.
BS 5975 exists because temporary works are a managed system, not a collection of ad-hoc fixes. The safest projects treat them as a controlled workflow, with defined roles, design check categories, approvals, inspections, and records that can be verified at any stage. In a post-Building Safety Act environment, this level of control is no longer good practice alone, it is increasingly expected as part of a defensible compliance position.
This guidance sets out how temporary works should be planned, designed, checked, implemented, and controlled under BS 5975, linking roles, processes, and evidence requirements into a coherent system. It explains what each stage means in practice and why failures tend to occur, so that temporary works decisions remain traceable, auditable, and aligned with UK construction compliance expectations.
BS 5975 exists because temporary works are a managed system, not a collection of ad-hoc fixes. The safest projects treat them as a controlled workflow, with defined roles, design check categories, approvals, inspections, and records that can be verified at any stage. In a post-Building Safety Act environment, this level of control is no longer good practice alone, it is increasingly expected as part of a defensible compliance position.
This guidance sets out how temporary works should be planned, designed, checked, implemented, and controlled under BS 5975, linking roles, processes, and evidence requirements into a coherent system. It explains what each stage means in practice and why failures tend to occur, so that temporary works decisions remain traceable, auditable, and aligned with UK construction compliance expectations.
While temporary works are often treated as short-term engineering solutions, evidence shows that failures in design control, coordination, and verification lead to disproportionate construction risk, programme disruption, and compliance exposure on UK projects.
What Are Temporary Works and Why BS 5975 Control Is Required
Temporary works are the temporary structures, systems and supports required to enable the construction of permanent works. They include elements such as formwork, falsework, scaffolding, propping, excavation support, and temporary access systems. Although they are removed once the permanent works are complete, they often carry significant loads, interact with partially completed structures, and operate in conditions where the permanent design has not yet achieved stability. This makes them one of the highest-risk activities on a construction project if not properly controlled.
BS 5975 establishes a procedural framework for managing temporary works as a coordinated system rather than isolated engineering decisions. It defines key roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and checkers, and sets out requirements for design briefs, design checks, approvals, and site controls. The standard introduces design check categories based on complexity and risk, ensuring that higher-risk temporary works receive independent verification before being implemented.
Failures in temporary works rarely arise from a single technical error. They typically occur where the management system breaks down: where design assumptions are not communicated, where checks are bypassed, where responsibilities are unclear, or where site conditions differ from the design without being reassessed. BS 5975 addresses these risks by requiring a structured process from initial brief through design, checking, implementation, inspection and dismantling, supported by a temporary works register and formal permit systems.
In practice, temporary works must be treated as a controlled lifecycle, where each stage is defined, verified and recorded. This approach aligns with wider UK construction duties under CDM and the Building Safety Act, where dutyholders are expected to demonstrate competence, coordination and traceable decision-making. Effective temporary works management therefore depends not only on engineering design, but on clear roles, disciplined processes, and evidence that the system has been followed and verified at each stage.
BS 5975 establishes a procedural framework for managing temporary works as a coordinated system rather than isolated engineering decisions. It defines key roles, including the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and checkers, and sets out requirements for design briefs, design checks, approvals, and site controls. The standard introduces design check categories based on complexity and risk, ensuring that higher-risk temporary works receive independent verification before being implemented.
Failures in temporary works rarely arise from a single technical error. They typically occur where the management system breaks down: where design assumptions are not communicated, where checks are bypassed, where responsibilities are unclear, or where site conditions differ from the design without being reassessed. BS 5975 addresses these risks by requiring a structured process from initial brief through design, checking, implementation, inspection and dismantling, supported by a temporary works register and formal permit systems.
In practice, temporary works must be treated as a controlled lifecycle, where each stage is defined, verified and recorded. This approach aligns with wider UK construction duties under CDM and the Building Safety Act, where dutyholders are expected to demonstrate competence, coordination and traceable decision-making. Effective temporary works management therefore depends not only on engineering design, but on clear roles, disciplined processes, and evidence that the system has been followed and verified at each stage.
Scope
This guidance defines the scope of temporary works management under BS 5975, focusing on how responsibilities, processes and controls are structured across a construction project. It sets out the expected framework for managing temporary works as a coordinated system, rather than addressing detailed engineering design.
The scope includes the identification and allocation of roles such as the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and checkers, and explains how these roles interact to maintain control of temporary works activities. It also covers key control mechanisms including design check categories, temporary works registers, permit systems and inspection regimes, which are used to verify that temporary works are safe and suitable before use.
This guidance applies to a wide range of temporary works, including formwork, falsework, scaffolding, propping, excavation support systems and temporary access arrangements. It is relevant across different project types and scales, particularly where temporary works introduce structural risk, sequencing complexity or interface with permanent works.
The content is intended to support UK construction dutyholders in understanding how temporary works should be managed in practice, and how BS 5975 aligns with wider legal duties under CDM and the Building Safety Act. It focuses on operational control, coordination and compliance, ensuring that temporary works activities can be clearly defined, managed and evidenced throughout the construction process.
The scope includes the identification and allocation of roles such as the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), designers and checkers, and explains how these roles interact to maintain control of temporary works activities. It also covers key control mechanisms including design check categories, temporary works registers, permit systems and inspection regimes, which are used to verify that temporary works are safe and suitable before use.
This guidance applies to a wide range of temporary works, including formwork, falsework, scaffolding, propping, excavation support systems and temporary access arrangements. It is relevant across different project types and scales, particularly where temporary works introduce structural risk, sequencing complexity or interface with permanent works.
The content is intended to support UK construction dutyholders in understanding how temporary works should be managed in practice, and how BS 5975 aligns with wider legal duties under CDM and the Building Safety Act. It focuses on operational control, coordination and compliance, ensuring that temporary works activities can be clearly defined, managed and evidenced throughout the construction process.
Legal status
BS 5975 is a code of practice rather than a statutory instrument, which means it does not carry direct legal force. However, it is widely recognised across the UK construction industry as the standard method for managing temporary works, and it is routinely referenced as evidence of good practice. In the event of an incident, failure to follow BS 5975 processes may be used as an indicator that risks were not properly controlled.
Temporary works activities fall within the broader legal framework of UK health and safety law, particularly the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Under CDM, dutyholders are required to plan, manage and monitor construction work so that it is carried out without risks to health and safety. This includes ensuring that temporary works are properly designed, checked, implemented and supervised by competent persons, with clear allocation of responsibilities and effective coordination between all parties.
Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive emphasises that compliance is achieved not by following prescriptive rules, but by demonstrating that risks have been identified, assessed and controlled through suitable arrangements. Where industry standards such as BS 5975 are followed, this will normally be taken as evidence that a reasonable approach has been adopted. Where they are not followed, dutyholders must be able to demonstrate that an equivalent or better level of safety has been achieved.
In practice, BS 5975 provides a recognised framework for meeting legal duties under CDM, particularly in relation to planning, coordination, competence and risk management. Its processes, including defined roles, design check categories, formal approvals and record keeping, align with the requirement to demonstrate that temporary works have been properly controlled.
The importance of this structured approach has increased under the Building Safety Act, where dutyholders are expected to maintain clear, traceable records of decisions and demonstrate effective control of construction risks. While BS 5975 itself is not law, its application supports a defensible compliance position by providing evidence that temporary works have been managed through a systematic, coordinated and auditable process.
Temporary works activities fall within the broader legal framework of UK health and safety law, particularly the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Under CDM, dutyholders are required to plan, manage and monitor construction work so that it is carried out without risks to health and safety. This includes ensuring that temporary works are properly designed, checked, implemented and supervised by competent persons, with clear allocation of responsibilities and effective coordination between all parties.
Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive emphasises that compliance is achieved not by following prescriptive rules, but by demonstrating that risks have been identified, assessed and controlled through suitable arrangements. Where industry standards such as BS 5975 are followed, this will normally be taken as evidence that a reasonable approach has been adopted. Where they are not followed, dutyholders must be able to demonstrate that an equivalent or better level of safety has been achieved.
In practice, BS 5975 provides a recognised framework for meeting legal duties under CDM, particularly in relation to planning, coordination, competence and risk management. Its processes, including defined roles, design check categories, formal approvals and record keeping, align with the requirement to demonstrate that temporary works have been properly controlled.
The importance of this structured approach has increased under the Building Safety Act, where dutyholders are expected to maintain clear, traceable records of decisions and demonstrate effective control of construction risks. While BS 5975 itself is not law, its application supports a defensible compliance position by providing evidence that temporary works have been managed through a systematic, coordinated and auditable process.
Temporary works must be managed through clearly defined roles to ensure that design, coordination, implementation and control activities are properly carried out. BS 5975 establishes a structured system of responsibility so that temporary works are not treated as informal site decisions, but as controlled engineering processes with accountability at each stage.
The Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) supports the TWC on site by monitoring the installation, use and condition of temporary works. The TWS ensures that temporary works are constructed in accordance with the approved design, that any deviations are identified and addressed, and that inspections are carried out as required. On smaller projects, the TWC may also carry out the duties of the TWS, but the responsibilities remain distinct and must still be fulfilled.
Temporary works designers are responsible for producing designs that are safe, suitable and based on accurate information. This includes considering loads, sequencing, interfaces with permanent works, and site conditions. Designers must clearly communicate assumptions, limitations and requirements so that those implementing the works understand how the design is to be used.
Independent design checkers are required for higher-risk temporary works, in accordance with the design check category. Their role is to review the design to confirm that it is appropriate for the intended use and that key risks have been addressed. The level of independence and checking increases with the complexity and risk of the temporary works.
Principal contractors and other dutyholders remain responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place to manage temporary works. This includes appointing competent individuals, allocating sufficient time and resources, and ensuring effective coordination between all parties. Temporary works responsibilities do not sit in isolation; they are part of the wider project management system and must align with overall health and safety duties.
Failures in temporary works often occur where these roles are not clearly defined, where responsibilities overlap or are assumed, or where communication between roles breaks down. Effective temporary works management depends on clear appointments, defined responsibilities, and a coordinated approach that ensures all parties understand their role within the system and act accordingly.
Roles (TWC/TWS)
The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is the central role within this system. The TWC is appointed by the organisation responsible for the temporary works, typically the principal contractor, and is responsible for managing the temporary works process. This includes ensuring that design briefs are prepared, designers and checkers are appointed, design checks are carried out at the appropriate level, and that temporary works are not loaded or used until they have been properly verified. The TWC maintains the temporary works register, coordinates communication between designers and site teams, and ensures that the system is followed from design through to dismantling.The Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) supports the TWC on site by monitoring the installation, use and condition of temporary works. The TWS ensures that temporary works are constructed in accordance with the approved design, that any deviations are identified and addressed, and that inspections are carried out as required. On smaller projects, the TWC may also carry out the duties of the TWS, but the responsibilities remain distinct and must still be fulfilled.
Temporary works designers are responsible for producing designs that are safe, suitable and based on accurate information. This includes considering loads, sequencing, interfaces with permanent works, and site conditions. Designers must clearly communicate assumptions, limitations and requirements so that those implementing the works understand how the design is to be used.
Independent design checkers are required for higher-risk temporary works, in accordance with the design check category. Their role is to review the design to confirm that it is appropriate for the intended use and that key risks have been addressed. The level of independence and checking increases with the complexity and risk of the temporary works.
Principal contractors and other dutyholders remain responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place to manage temporary works. This includes appointing competent individuals, allocating sufficient time and resources, and ensuring effective coordination between all parties. Temporary works responsibilities do not sit in isolation; they are part of the wider project management system and must align with overall health and safety duties.
Failures in temporary works often occur where these roles are not clearly defined, where responsibilities overlap or are assumed, or where communication between roles breaks down. Effective temporary works management depends on clear appointments, defined responsibilities, and a coordinated approach that ensures all parties understand their role within the system and act accordingly.
Design checks
Design checks are a core control within the BS 5975 framework, ensuring that temporary works designs are independently reviewed in proportion to their complexity and risk. The objective is to confirm that the design is safe, suitable for its intended purpose, and based on appropriate assumptions before it is implemented on site.
BS 5975 defines design check categories that determine the level of checking required. Category 0 applies to standard solutions, where checks are carried out within the organisation using established designs and procedures. Category 1 requires a simple check by another competent person within the same organisation. Category 2 applies to more complex or higher-risk temporary works and requires an independent check by someone not involved in the original design. Category 3 is used for the most complex or critical temporary works and requires a check by an organisation independent of both the designer and the contractor.
The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is responsible for determining the appropriate design check category, based on the level of risk, complexity, and potential consequences of failure. This decision must be made early in the process, so that suitable designers and checkers can be appointed, and sufficient time is allowed for the checking process.
The design check is not a duplication of the design, but a structured review that verifies key aspects such as load assumptions, stability, sequencing, and interaction with the permanent works. It also confirms that the design brief has been properly addressed and that any constraints or site-specific conditions have been considered. The output of the check is typically a design check certificate, confirming that the design is acceptable for use.
Failures can occur where design checks are treated as a formality, where independence is compromised, or where changes are made after checking without re-verification. It is essential that the design issued for construction matches the design that has been checked, and that any revisions are subject to the same level of scrutiny as the original design.
In practice, design checks form a critical part of the temporary works control system. They provide assurance that the design has been reviewed by a competent and appropriately independent person, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring that temporary works can be implemented safely and in accordance with BS 5975 requirements.
BS 5975 defines design check categories that determine the level of checking required. Category 0 applies to standard solutions, where checks are carried out within the organisation using established designs and procedures. Category 1 requires a simple check by another competent person within the same organisation. Category 2 applies to more complex or higher-risk temporary works and requires an independent check by someone not involved in the original design. Category 3 is used for the most complex or critical temporary works and requires a check by an organisation independent of both the designer and the contractor.
The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is responsible for determining the appropriate design check category, based on the level of risk, complexity, and potential consequences of failure. This decision must be made early in the process, so that suitable designers and checkers can be appointed, and sufficient time is allowed for the checking process.
The design check is not a duplication of the design, but a structured review that verifies key aspects such as load assumptions, stability, sequencing, and interaction with the permanent works. It also confirms that the design brief has been properly addressed and that any constraints or site-specific conditions have been considered. The output of the check is typically a design check certificate, confirming that the design is acceptable for use.
Failures can occur where design checks are treated as a formality, where independence is compromised, or where changes are made after checking without re-verification. It is essential that the design issued for construction matches the design that has been checked, and that any revisions are subject to the same level of scrutiny as the original design.
In practice, design checks form a critical part of the temporary works control system. They provide assurance that the design has been reviewed by a competent and appropriately independent person, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring that temporary works can be implemented safely and in accordance with BS 5975 requirements.
Process
The temporary works process under BS 5975 is structured as a controlled lifecycle, ensuring that temporary works are planned, designed, checked, implemented and removed in a coordinated and traceable manner. The process is not a single activity, but a sequence of defined stages, each requiring verification before progressing to the next.
The process begins with the preparation of a design brief, which sets out the requirements, constraints and intended use of the temporary works. This must include sufficient information about loads, sequencing, interfaces with permanent works and site conditions, so that the designer can produce an appropriate solution. Incomplete or unclear design briefs are a common source of failure, as assumptions made at this stage can carry through the entire process.
The temporary works designer then develops the design based on the brief, producing calculations, drawings and specifications. The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) reviews the design for suitability and confirms the required design check category. The design is then independently checked in accordance with that category, and a design check certificate is issued to confirm that the design is acceptable.
Once the design has been approved, the implementation phase begins. This includes planning the method of erection, ensuring that competent personnel are involved, and coordinating the sequence of works. The Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) monitors the installation on site, ensuring that the temporary works are constructed in accordance with the approved design and that any deviations are identified and resolved.
Before the temporary works are put into use, they must be inspected and formally approved. This is typically controlled through a permit system, such as a permit to load or permit to proceed, issued by the TWC following verification that the works have been constructed correctly and are safe for use. Temporary works must not be loaded or used until this approval has been given.
During use, temporary works must be subject to ongoing inspection to ensure they remain in a safe condition, particularly where site conditions change or loads vary. Once the temporary works are no longer required, a permit to dismantle is issued, and the works are removed in a controlled manner.
Throughout the process, the temporary works register is maintained as a live record of all temporary works items, their status, and associated documentation. This ensures that all stages of the process are recorded and can be verified if required.
In practice, failures in temporary works often occur where this process is not followed in full, where stages are rushed or bypassed, or where communication between design and site teams breaks down. Effective temporary works management depends on maintaining control at each stage of the process, ensuring that no element progresses without the required checks, approvals and records in place.
The process begins with the preparation of a design brief, which sets out the requirements, constraints and intended use of the temporary works. This must include sufficient information about loads, sequencing, interfaces with permanent works and site conditions, so that the designer can produce an appropriate solution. Incomplete or unclear design briefs are a common source of failure, as assumptions made at this stage can carry through the entire process.
The temporary works designer then develops the design based on the brief, producing calculations, drawings and specifications. The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) reviews the design for suitability and confirms the required design check category. The design is then independently checked in accordance with that category, and a design check certificate is issued to confirm that the design is acceptable.
Once the design has been approved, the implementation phase begins. This includes planning the method of erection, ensuring that competent personnel are involved, and coordinating the sequence of works. The Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) monitors the installation on site, ensuring that the temporary works are constructed in accordance with the approved design and that any deviations are identified and resolved.
Before the temporary works are put into use, they must be inspected and formally approved. This is typically controlled through a permit system, such as a permit to load or permit to proceed, issued by the TWC following verification that the works have been constructed correctly and are safe for use. Temporary works must not be loaded or used until this approval has been given.
During use, temporary works must be subject to ongoing inspection to ensure they remain in a safe condition, particularly where site conditions change or loads vary. Once the temporary works are no longer required, a permit to dismantle is issued, and the works are removed in a controlled manner.
Throughout the process, the temporary works register is maintained as a live record of all temporary works items, their status, and associated documentation. This ensures that all stages of the process are recorded and can be verified if required.
In practice, failures in temporary works often occur where this process is not followed in full, where stages are rushed or bypassed, or where communication between design and site teams breaks down. Effective temporary works management depends on maintaining control at each stage of the process, ensuring that no element progresses without the required checks, approvals and records in place.
Evidence & records
Temporary works must be supported by clear, structured records that demonstrate how risks have been identified, managed and controlled throughout the process. Evidence is not an administrative exercise; it is the mechanism by which dutyholders can show that temporary works have been properly planned, designed, checked, implemented and verified in accordance with BS 5975 and wider legal duties.
The temporary works register is the central control document within this system. It records all temporary works items on a project, their status, associated design documents, design check category, approvals, and inspection requirements. The register must be maintained as a live document, updated as works progress, so that the current status of each item can be clearly understood at any time.
Key documents typically include design briefs, design calculations and drawings, design check certificates, method statements, inspection records, permits to load or proceed, and permits to dismantle. These documents provide a traceable record of decisions, assumptions and approvals, ensuring that temporary works can be reviewed and verified at each stage of their lifecycle.
Inspection records are particularly important, as they confirm that temporary works have been constructed in accordance with the approved design and remain in a safe condition during use. Inspections must be carried out by competent persons and at appropriate intervals, with findings recorded and any issues addressed before the works are used or continue in service.
Permit systems provide formal control points within the process. A permit to load or proceed confirms that temporary works have been inspected and are safe for use, while a permit to dismantle confirms that they can be safely removed. These approvals ensure that temporary works are not used or altered without verification, reducing the risk of premature loading or uncontrolled changes.
Under current regulatory expectations, including those associated with the Building Safety Act, the ability to demonstrate control through documented evidence is increasingly important. Dutyholders must be able to show not only that appropriate decisions were made, but also how and when they were made, and by whom.
In practice, inadequate or incomplete records are a common indicator of poor temporary works control. Where documentation is missing, out of date, or inconsistent with site conditions, it becomes difficult to demonstrate that risks have been properly managed. Effective temporary works systems therefore rely on accurate, up-to-date records that provide a clear and auditable trail of the entire process.
The temporary works register is the central control document within this system. It records all temporary works items on a project, their status, associated design documents, design check category, approvals, and inspection requirements. The register must be maintained as a live document, updated as works progress, so that the current status of each item can be clearly understood at any time.
Key documents typically include design briefs, design calculations and drawings, design check certificates, method statements, inspection records, permits to load or proceed, and permits to dismantle. These documents provide a traceable record of decisions, assumptions and approvals, ensuring that temporary works can be reviewed and verified at each stage of their lifecycle.
Inspection records are particularly important, as they confirm that temporary works have been constructed in accordance with the approved design and remain in a safe condition during use. Inspections must be carried out by competent persons and at appropriate intervals, with findings recorded and any issues addressed before the works are used or continue in service.
Permit systems provide formal control points within the process. A permit to load or proceed confirms that temporary works have been inspected and are safe for use, while a permit to dismantle confirms that they can be safely removed. These approvals ensure that temporary works are not used or altered without verification, reducing the risk of premature loading or uncontrolled changes.
Under current regulatory expectations, including those associated with the Building Safety Act, the ability to demonstrate control through documented evidence is increasingly important. Dutyholders must be able to show not only that appropriate decisions were made, but also how and when they were made, and by whom.
In practice, inadequate or incomplete records are a common indicator of poor temporary works control. Where documentation is missing, out of date, or inconsistent with site conditions, it becomes difficult to demonstrate that risks have been properly managed. Effective temporary works systems therefore rely on accurate, up-to-date records that provide a clear and auditable trail of the entire process.
BSR context
Temporary works are not explicitly defined within the Building Safety Act, but they form part of the wider construction process that must be planned, managed and controlled in a way that ensures building safety. Under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) framework, dutyholders are required to demonstrate that construction risks have been identified, assessed and mitigated, with clear evidence of decision-making and control throughout the project lifecycle. Temporary works, as high-risk and often critical elements of construction, fall directly within this expectation.
At Gateway 2, the BSR requires sufficient detail to demonstrate that construction will be carried out safely and in accordance with the design intent. While temporary works designs are not always fully developed at this stage, the management system that will control them must be defined. This includes clear allocation of responsibilities, competence of appointed individuals, and the procedures that will be used to manage temporary works risks.
During the construction phase, temporary works must be managed in a way that aligns with the principles of the Golden Thread. This requires that information is accurate, up to date, and accessible, with a clear link between design decisions, site implementation and verification. Temporary works documentation, including design briefs, calculations, inspection records and permits, forms part of this evidence base, demonstrating how risks have been controlled in practice.
A key expectation under the BSR regime is that dutyholders can show not only that systems are in place, but that they are being actively followed. For temporary works, this means being able to demonstrate that design checks have been carried out at the correct level, that inspections have been completed, and that permits have been issued before works are used. It also requires evidence that changes have been managed and re-verified where necessary.
Temporary works can also affect permanent works design and building safety outcomes, particularly where they influence structural stability during construction or where embedded elements, such as anchors or fixings, form part of the final structure. In these cases, temporary works decisions may have long-term implications and must be considered within the overall safety case.
In practice, alignment with BS 5975 provides a structured and recognised approach to managing temporary works in a way that supports BSR expectations. By defining roles, establishing control processes, and maintaining clear records, dutyholders can demonstrate that temporary works risks have been managed systematically and that construction activities have been carried out in a controlled and compliant manner.
At Gateway 2, the BSR requires sufficient detail to demonstrate that construction will be carried out safely and in accordance with the design intent. While temporary works designs are not always fully developed at this stage, the management system that will control them must be defined. This includes clear allocation of responsibilities, competence of appointed individuals, and the procedures that will be used to manage temporary works risks.
During the construction phase, temporary works must be managed in a way that aligns with the principles of the Golden Thread. This requires that information is accurate, up to date, and accessible, with a clear link between design decisions, site implementation and verification. Temporary works documentation, including design briefs, calculations, inspection records and permits, forms part of this evidence base, demonstrating how risks have been controlled in practice.
A key expectation under the BSR regime is that dutyholders can show not only that systems are in place, but that they are being actively followed. For temporary works, this means being able to demonstrate that design checks have been carried out at the correct level, that inspections have been completed, and that permits have been issued before works are used. It also requires evidence that changes have been managed and re-verified where necessary.
Temporary works can also affect permanent works design and building safety outcomes, particularly where they influence structural stability during construction or where embedded elements, such as anchors or fixings, form part of the final structure. In these cases, temporary works decisions may have long-term implications and must be considered within the overall safety case.
In practice, alignment with BS 5975 provides a structured and recognised approach to managing temporary works in a way that supports BSR expectations. By defining roles, establishing control processes, and maintaining clear records, dutyholders can demonstrate that temporary works risks have been managed systematically and that construction activities have been carried out in a controlled and compliant manner.
Related guidance
This guidance is supported by a structured series of detailed articles that explain how temporary works should be managed in practice under BS 5975. Each article focuses on a specific element of the temporary works system, providing deeper insight into roles, processes, controls and failure risks.
For a general overview of temporary works and their role within construction projects, see Temporary Works Explained: BS 5975 and Why They Matter. The design check process is covered in detail in Temporary Works Design Check Categories BS 5975 Category 0, 1, 2, 3, explaining how risk and complexity determine the level of independent verification required.
Key dutyholder roles are explained in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties and Responsibilities and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Duties and Responsibilities</a>, including how responsibilities are allocated and where failures can occur. The importance of coordination between roles is further addressed in Temporary Works Responsibilities Matrix BS 5975.
Control documents and systems are critical to managing temporary works. The role of the temporary works register is explained in Temporary Works Register Explained, while permit systems are covered in Temporary Works Permits Explained, including permit to load and permit to proceed controls.
The design and planning stages are explored in Temporary Works Design Brief and Temporary Works Risk Assessment, setting out how risks should be identified and managed from the outset. The overall process is explained in Temporary Works Process Explained, linking each stage of the lifecycle.
Site-level verification and control are addressed in Temporary Works Inspections and Temporary Works Checklist BS 5975 Pre-Loading Verification, which explain how temporary works should be checked before use. Ongoing compliance is covered in Temporary Works Audit and Compliance.
Understanding failure mechanisms is critical to improving control. Common causes of temporary works failures are analysed in Temporary Works Failures Causes and Lessons, highlighting where systems typically break down. Competence requirements are covered in Temporary Works Competence BS 5975, explaining the importance of skills, training and appropriate appointments.
Additional guidance is available on how temporary works interact with wider construction systems and regulatory requirements. For example, the relationship between temporary works and building safety approval is explored in Do Temporary Works Affect BSR Approval, while the interface between temporary works and anchors is covered in Temporary Works Anchors and BS 8539. Broader context on temporary works systems and site safety can be found in From Scaffolding to Shoring Essential Temporary Works Systems and Ensuring Safety in Construction, alongside guidance on planning and risk management in Proactive Planning and Continuous Improvement.
These articles form a connected knowledge base, supporting this pillar page by providing detailed, practical guidance on each component of the temporary works system. Together, they establish a structured understanding of how temporary works should be managed, verified and controlled in line with BS 5975 and UK construction practice.
For a general overview of temporary works and their role within construction projects, see Temporary Works Explained: BS 5975 and Why They Matter. The design check process is covered in detail in Temporary Works Design Check Categories BS 5975 Category 0, 1, 2, 3, explaining how risk and complexity determine the level of independent verification required.
Key dutyholder roles are explained in Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) Duties and Responsibilities and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Duties and Responsibilities</a>, including how responsibilities are allocated and where failures can occur. The importance of coordination between roles is further addressed in Temporary Works Responsibilities Matrix BS 5975.
Control documents and systems are critical to managing temporary works. The role of the temporary works register is explained in Temporary Works Register Explained, while permit systems are covered in Temporary Works Permits Explained, including permit to load and permit to proceed controls.
The design and planning stages are explored in Temporary Works Design Brief and Temporary Works Risk Assessment, setting out how risks should be identified and managed from the outset. The overall process is explained in Temporary Works Process Explained, linking each stage of the lifecycle.
Site-level verification and control are addressed in Temporary Works Inspections and Temporary Works Checklist BS 5975 Pre-Loading Verification, which explain how temporary works should be checked before use. Ongoing compliance is covered in Temporary Works Audit and Compliance.
Understanding failure mechanisms is critical to improving control. Common causes of temporary works failures are analysed in Temporary Works Failures Causes and Lessons, highlighting where systems typically break down. Competence requirements are covered in Temporary Works Competence BS 5975, explaining the importance of skills, training and appropriate appointments.
Additional guidance is available on how temporary works interact with wider construction systems and regulatory requirements. For example, the relationship between temporary works and building safety approval is explored in Do Temporary Works Affect BSR Approval, while the interface between temporary works and anchors is covered in Temporary Works Anchors and BS 8539. Broader context on temporary works systems and site safety can be found in From Scaffolding to Shoring Essential Temporary Works Systems and Ensuring Safety in Construction, alongside guidance on planning and risk management in Proactive Planning and Continuous Improvement.
These articles form a connected knowledge base, supporting this pillar page by providing detailed, practical guidance on each component of the temporary works system. Together, they establish a structured understanding of how temporary works should be managed, verified and controlled in line with BS 5975 and UK construction practice.
Industry guidance & resources
This guidance aligns with established UK industry resources that support the management of temporary works and construction safety. These sources provide additional learning, regulatory context and practical guidance for dutyholders involved in temporary works.
The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) provides industry-led guidance and free learning resources, including introductory e-learning modules on temporary works management. These resources support understanding of roles, responsibilities and processes in line with BS 5975. Temporary Works Forum e-learning
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes guidance on managing construction risks and dutyholder responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This includes the L153 guidance, which sets out legal duties and expectations for managing health and safety on construction projects. HSE L153 Managing Health and Safety in Construction
The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) provides industry-led guidance and free learning resources, including introductory e-learning modules on temporary works management. These resources support understanding of roles, responsibilities and processes in line with BS 5975. Temporary Works Forum e-learning
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes guidance on managing construction risks and dutyholder responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This includes the L153 guidance, which sets out legal duties and expectations for managing health and safety on construction projects. HSE L153 Managing Health and Safety in Construction
Further practical guidance on construction site safety, including common hazards, control measures and safe systems of work, is provided in HSE publication HSG150. HSE HSG150 Health and Safety in Construction
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) provides simplified process guidance for temporary works, illustrating the typical lifecycle from design through to dismantling, including roles, permits and inspections. CITB Temporary Works Process Flowchart
These resources support the application of BS 5975 by providing recognised industry guidance on roles, processes and risk management, and can be used alongside this page to develop competence and understanding of temporary works systems.
Scope, Limitations & Use of This Guidance
This guidance is intended as an operational interpretation of BS 5975 and related UK temporary works practice, designed to support understanding of roles, processes, and control measures on construction projects. It does not replace the requirements of the standard itself, project-specific procedures, or competent engineering judgement.
BS 5975 remains the primary reference for the management and control of temporary works in the UK. Compliance requires engagement with the full standard, including detailed design requirements, checking procedures, and classification systems, particularly on higher-risk or complex schemes.
While the principles described here reflect common industry practice, their application should be proportionate to the level of risk, scale, and complexity of each project. Smaller or lower-risk works may require simpler control systems, while complex or high-risk temporary works demand formal design, independent checking, and structured management processes.
This guidance focuses primarily on management and control processes rather than detailed structural design. Following the 2024 revision of BS 5975, technical design guidance (including falsework design) is addressed within separate parts of the standard. Dutyholders must ensure that both procedural and technical requirements are understood and applied appropriately.
Temporary works compliance is ultimately demonstrated through a combination of competent design, documented processes, effective coordination, and verifiable site implementation. This article should therefore be used as a supporting reference alongside formal standards, training, and project-specific temporary works procedures.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
