Temporary Works Explained: BS 5975 Roles & Paperwork

Pro Site Docs · Guide

Falsework that collapses, an excavation that caves in, a hoarding that blows over — most of construction's worst structural failures are temporary works failures. BS 5975 sets out the recognised way to manage them, and principal contractors increasingly expect even small subcontractors to know their part in it.

What counts as temporary works

• Excavation support and trench boxes
• Falsework and formwork for concrete
• Propping, needling and structural shoring
• Scaffolding and edge protection (designed cases)
• Hoardings, fencing and signage structures
• Crane bases, piling mats and temporary haul roads

The key roles

BS 5975 names a chain of responsibility. The Designated Individual (DI) owns the procedure at company level. The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) runs temporary works on a project — keeping the register, getting designs checked, and issuing permits to load and strike. On larger sites a Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) assists on the ground. If you are a small contractor, your client will want to know who your TWC is.

Design and checking

Every temporary works item gets a design — even if that design is simply "use the trench box to manufacturer's tables" — and an independent check proportionate to risk, from a simple self-check for standard solutions up to a full independent design check for complex falsework.

The register, and permits to load

The temporary works register lists every item, its design status, its check category and its current state. Nothing is loaded until the TWC issues a permit to load, and nothing is struck until a permit to strike/dismantle confirms the permanent works can take over. Those two signatures prevent the classic failure: striking props before the concrete is strong enough.

Get the paperwork ready-made

The Temporary Works Management Pack includes the register, design brief, permits to load and strike, TWC appointment letter and inspection forms as editable Word documents — or buy forms individually from single documents.