Temporary Works Procedure

The correct design, execution and adaption of temporary works are an essential element of risk
prevention and mitigation in construction works. This procedure provides recommendations and
guidance on the procedural control to be applied to all aspects of temporary work.

The attached flow chart depicts the general Temporary Works control requirements. These
procedures expand on the detailed requirements of the flowchart.

Temporary Works are defined in three categories.

Simple and/or potentially low risk temporary works.

Formwork less than 1.2m high
Hoarding & fencing up to 1.2m high
Simple propping schemes -1 or 2 props
Internal hoardings systems & temporary partitions not subject to wind loadings
Shallow excavations less than 1.2m deep/high

More complex and/or potentially medium risk temporary works

False work up to 3m high
Formwork for columns and walls up to 3m high
More complex propping schemes multiple props at single level
Needling of structures up to 2 storeys high
Net systems not fixed to robust primary members
Hoarding and fencing up to 3m high
Temporary roofs

Complex and/or potentially high risk temporary works

False work and formwork over 3m high
Tower crane bases
Facade retention schemes
Flying and raking shores
Complex propping schemes multiple props and multiple levels
Needling of structures greater than 2 storeys high
Ground support schemes greater than 3m deep
Cofferdams
Jacking schemes
Complex structural steelwork and precast concrete erection schemes
Hoarding and fencing over 3m high

The above list is not exhaustive; this procedure will cover the vast majority of sites. Should the
site team feel for any reason that the procedure will not work on a particular element of the works
a special temporary works procedure must be prepared.

Contracts Managers will be the key persons in implementing this policy. They will need to establish
systems where others within the company such as Estimators, Buyers and Preconstruction
Managers alert them to the need for Temporary Works.

Duty Holders
The key Duty Holders in this process (as identified in BS 5975) are the Temporary
Works Co-ordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Designer (TWD), Temporary Works Supervisor
(TWS),

These individuals can come from any of the organisations involved (and may have alternative
titles) but must, in relation to the works proposed, possess the appropriate competences. It is
essential that these duty holders are appointed in writing and understand the procedural
recommendations of BS 5975 are capable of independent judgement and carry the authority to
act on these judgements by halting unsafe practice and/or asking for advice.
Roles and Responsibilities
The role of Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) who will usually be the contracts
manager or project manager is to co-ordinate the activities of the designers and site
teams, ensuring that any temporary works scheme are designed, independently
checked, erected, adapted if required and subsequently dismantled safely in accordance
with the approved design specification.

The TWC is to review the design with the relevant parties (Site Manager, Supply Chain,
Safety Manager etc) and ensure that it is suitable for its intended use. TWC to approve
or provide comments back to the TWD or supplier regarding the current status of the
drawings.

The Temporary Works Designer (TWD) or supplier are to develop the design to
eliminate risk inherit in the design, site personnel and to the public. Any residual risk
must be reduced to a satisfactory level. Ensure risk assessments are formalised.

Significant residual risk including and any public risk issues must be highlighted on the
drawing.

Ensure that particular requirements such as sequencing of erection, loading, changes

and subsequent dismantling are noted on the drawings and method statement.

Identify on drawings Hold Points requiring issue of permits.

The status of the design must be made clear on All Drawings and referenced in all
correspondence as either Preliminary, Preliminary for Discussion or Working Drawings.

The appointment of the Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) will usually be the site
manager must be undertaken by the contracts manager and the TWC, giving due regard
to the qualifications and competency to supervise the construction and checking of the
type and nature of the temporary works they are responsible for.

The TWS can be from within the company, an external specialist organisation or
appointing an individual from each of the subcontractors. The TWS is responsible to the
TWC in the supervision and checking of the temporary works.

Construction of Temporary Works

TWC to review the contract Temporary Works requirements and ensure that those
responsible for onsite supervision receive full details of the design, including any
limitations associated with the design.

For projects requiring large and complex temporary works schemes, hold briefing and
training sessions with relevant staff, supply chain and operatives prior to
commencement. Including the safety manager as appropriate.

Ensure appropriate Risk Assessments and Method Statements have formally been
undertaken by the organisation undertaking the works and ensure that all personnel are
aware of the residual risks.

Check that materials and equipment are adequate for their purpose and are in
accordance with the requirements of the Working Drawings. Taking particular care to
inspect materials that have been previously used.

Daily briefing meetings between TWS and sub contractor to take place to review all
aspects of the temporary works. At all stages check that the work is being carried out as
designed, taking reference to any sequencing required in the design.
 Under no circumstances must any alterations or changes etc be undertaken to the
temporary works design or installation without being checked and approved by
the TW Designer and discussed with the TW coordinator prior to implementing.

When selecting a temporary works system it is vital to fully risk assess the assembly, instruction
and removal sequences. Understanding how the systems are safely assembled and at which
stage of installation they are safe to load, enter or strike (remove) is therefore essential

Operating Procedures
Before the Temporary Works structure or elements are allowed to be loaded, it is to be
checked by the TWS to ensure that the structure or element has been erected in
accordance with the working drawings and specification, Only after this check can a the
TWC issue a Permit TO Load the structure or element.

Ensure that appropriate Statutory Checks (eg scaffolding and excavation inspections ect)
any periodic checks, maintenance and public risk checks as required by the Working
Drawings or specification, are carried out for the lifetime of the Temporary Works.

Upon completion of the permanent works, a permit to Dismantle the Temporary Works
structure or element must be issued to the subcontractor responsible for dismantling the
works before the Temporary Works is dismantled.

Ensure the Temporary Works is dismantled to either an approved Method Statement or to

the Manufacturers instruction.

Definitions

Safe system of work SSoW

A formal procedure which should be followed to ensure that work is carried out safely and is
necessary where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means
Temporary works
Engineered structures that allow or enable construction of, protect, support or provide access to,
the permanent works and which might or might not remain in place at the completion of the
works
NOTE: Examples of temporary works are structures, supports, back-propping, earthworks and
accesses.

Temporary works co-ordinator TWC

Competent person with responsibility for the co-ordination of all activities related to the
temporary works
Temporary works supervisor TWS
Competent person who is responsible to and assists the temporary works co-ordinator
Temporary works designer TWD
Competent person who carries out the design of temporary works

Temporary works design flowchart

The flowchart provided in this guidance assumes that the key duty holders described above
are in place and that a package of temporary works has been identified and awarded If the
above processes are not in place it is a duty for those involved in the temporary works to inform
the parties in writing of their responsibilities and ensure that sufficient information is made
available to safely plan, design and carry out the works.

Three simple stages are provided in the flowchart;

1. Planning & Investigation;
2. Design;
3. Construction.
 TEMPORARY WORKS DESIGN
PROCESS FLOWCHART

Notes
Temporary Temporary
Principal
Works Temporary Works Works
Contractor
Co-ordinator Designer (TWD) Supervisor
(PC)
(TWC) (TWS)

AS A MIN. RISK REGISTER SI / TOPO & GA

PLANNING / INVESTIGATION STAGE 1

Start

SCHEME SHOULD BE ADDED TO TW

OF SCHEME SHOULD BE OBTAINED

Notify /
Collate Support Support
Appoint
Information TWC TWC
TWC

DURIGN THIS PHASE

Inspect Inspect Inspect
Site Site Site

REGISTER
Refer to
HIGH
Evaluate
Specialists Risk
LOW / MEDIUM

MAY INVOLVE SEVERAL PARTIES

RISKS MAY CHANGE AS DESIGN

DESIGN APPROVAL PROCESS
Support Prepare Support
Temporary works Design Brief & Risk Temporary works
Designer Assessment Designer
DESIGN STAGE 2

DEVELOPS
Assess Design v
Brief & Ensure Issue Design
Approve
SSoW in Place Documents
Scheme Taking Account of
N
Residual Risks
Y

Ensure Brief Site

FOR CONSTRUCTION DESIGN ISSUE USUALLY REQUIRED

Permit to Work Team

CHANGE CONTROL PROCESS REQUIRED THIS PHASE

Issued
PERMIT / INSTRUCTION SYSTEMS MAY VARY

Install
Temporary
PRIOR TO ISSUE OF PERMIT TO WORK

N Record & Works

Any Change?

Approve
CONSTRUCTION STAGE 3

Changes

Inspect &
Y Maintain
Temporary
Ensure Permits Works
to Access/
Dismantle Issued

Finish Record

Temporary Works Permit to Load / Dismantle
Project:

Permit No:.......................

Date: ........................................................................ Package Title: ..........................................................

Contractor / Works Contractor / Trade Contractor: ..................................................................................................................

The following Temporary Works have been completed in accordance with the documents noted below:

Drawing Nos.:

Other Documents:

Signed:

(Temporary Works Supervisor)

The Temporary Works specified above have been approved for Loading / Dismantling*
The following Special Loading / Dismantling* conditions MUST BE APPLIED

a) Rate of pour not to exceed:

b) Maximum height of concrete not to exceed:

c) Order of loading:

d) Dismantling criteria satisfied are:

e) Other:

Note: This permit is valid for . hours from the time noted below

Signed: Time:

(Temporary Works Co-ordinator)

* Delete where appropriate

E W Beard Ltd trading as Beard Directors:

Registered Office Swindon C Bassett FCA Guildford Office Oxford Office Swindon Office
M A Bayley Stonemasons Court, Cemetery Pales, Cumnor Hill, Faraday Road,
Registered No 1126135 E A Beard Brookwood, Surrey, GU24 0BL Oxford, OX2 9PJ Swindon, SN3 5JY
www.beard-construction.co.uk M G Beard FCIOB CEnv Tel: 01483 485180 Tel: 01865 860000 Tel: 01793 868000
G Hannell BSc(Hons) FCIOB CEnV Fax: 01483 485181 Fax: 01865 860001 Fax: 01793 868001
N Sherreard FCIOB CEnv
J Youle BSc MCIOB MBA

I10 Revision 1 / Jun 14 Form No. HS 09.07