Hidden in plain sight: a guide to temporary works

Have you ever walked past a construction site and wondered what all the bits hanging off buildings, being hoisted up in cranes or pushed into the ground are?

They are all examples of temporary works, the engineering we use on projects to support, protect, provide or test things on a construction site.

They've been in use since the dawn of civilisation – from pulley systems that lifted the blocks at Stonehenge to falsework allowing the Romans to build aqueducts.

Temporary works have helped people shape the world around us.

Here’s a quick guide on how to spot them in the wild.

What are temporary works?

The term ‘temporary works’ comes from old contractual language where the ‘permanent works’ is the thing you’re being employed to build, such as a bridge.

Meanwhile, the ‘temporary works’ covered the engineering you did to build the bridge. For example, the formwork that supports concrete until it cures.

As time has gone on, the term now refers to any engineering needed on a project that isn’t in the permanent works drawings.

If you’ve walked past a construction site, you may have spotted some:

• Falsework: structures that support the permanent works until they can do so themselves (for example, scaffolding)
• Formwork/shuttering: large metal structures supporting concrete until it cures
• Scaffolding: cage-like metal tubes with wooden boards that surround buildings so that the crew and materials can get to where they need to go
• Tower crane: big metal arm with a fishing line on the end, used to move materials
• Working platforms with edge protection: platforms with handrails
• Silos: big tanks that hold the raw materials used to make concrete
• Hoist: a lift running up the side of the building
• Hoarding: the fencing around site
• Services: all the lighting, wires and water connections

Temporary works are crucial for safety

Temporary works also consider how you sequence the permanent works to ensure the structure doesn’t fall down mid-construction.

In the 1950s, 60s and 70s there were a number of major accidents, including the Loddon Viaduct collapse in 1972, which led the government to create an inquiry into the construction of falsework.

This ended up being called the Bragg Report (1975), prompting the creation of BS5975, the code of practice for falsework, in 1982.

Over the years this document has been updated and revised to include all temporary works items.

In 2024 it was split into two parts. The first is all about how to manage temporary works and part 2 is about the design of falsework.

What is the role of a temporary works coordinator?

On each project there will be a temporary works coordinator (TWC) who plans, manages and coordinates each temporary works item.

It’s their job to ensure the right person has the right information at the right time to make the right decision.

These decisions can affect safety, programme, cost and logistics.

Temporary works will follow five basic steps to ensure they are carried out safely and effectively:

1. Appointments: appoint suitable people (including the TWC on the project) and organisations to design, manage, install, use and remove the temporary works.
2. Register: keep a register of all the temporary works and use it to track documents, communication, design and onsite checks.
3. Design brief: write a design brief that includes all the risks, programme information, specifications and requirements that the designer needs to consider.
4. Design check: once the design drawings are done, pass them on to the TWC to review and approve.
5. Permit: as the works are carried out, the TWC will conduct checks at ‘hold points’. The TWC will then record these checks on the works permit and give permission to carry out the next step in the process.

Why specialise in temporary works

Each temporary works item is like a mini project.

When used correctly, they can help you create amazing infrastructure – from railway bridges to hospitals – that helps people live their lives.

So next time you pass a construction site, have a look and see if you can spot some temporary works in the wild.

For more information, check out the Temporary Works forum.