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Temporary works are an essential part of modern construction activity. Though they are not part of the finished structure they play a vital role in ensuring that permanent works can be built safely efficiently and without avoidable incident. Because temporary works involve engineering judgement site coordination legal requirements and safety controls the industry introduced the Temporary Works Coordinator role to make sure that these processes are properly managed from start to finish.

In this detailed guide we as Target Zero Training explain exactly what temporary works are why a Temporary Works Coordinator is required what responsibilities the role includes and how to become competent through structured training. We also include our online training pathways for Temporary Works Coordinator through our online course and refresher programmes:

By the end of this guide you will understand not only what a Temporary Works Coordinator does but also how this role protects people infrastructure and project success every single day across the United Kingdom.

What Count as Temporary Works

Temporary works are structures systems or measures that support the construction of permanent works or provide safe access protection or stability during the construction process. They are intended to be removed or decommissioned once no longer required. They can include physical structures equipment and procedural controls.

Common examples include:

Formwork and falsework for concrete placement
Excavation support such as trench boxes and sheet piling
Propping and shoring for walls or floor slabs
Scaffold systems for work at height
Access platforms and ladders
Temporary bridges and causeways
Edge protection barriers and fencing
Temporary roads haul routes and lay down areas

Temporary works are often flexible dynamic and change with each construction stage which means they must be carefully coordinated. If temporary works fail the consequences can be severe including collapse serious injury project delay and reputational damage. Therefore the Temporary Works Coordinator role is not a formality but a vital safety leadership position on site.

Why the Temporary Works Coordinator Role Exists

Before the introduction of a formal coordinator role temporary works were sometimes managed informally or inconsistently which led to serious incidents. Industry bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Construction Industry Research and Information Association highlighted major gaps in communication and design assurance.

The Temporary Works Coordinator role was created to provide a single competent individual who ensures that:

All temporary works are identified
Suitable designs are produced by competent designers
Risks are assessed and controlled
Appropriate inspections take place
Documentation is complete accurate and signed off
Changes are controlled rather than improvised on site
Removal of temporary works is planned and safe

This role provides a safeguard for the workforce and the project and helps meet regulatory responsibilities under the Construction Design and Management Regulations and general health and safety law.

Core Responsibilities of a Temporary Works Coordinator

A Temporary Works Coordinator has a set of core responsibilities that must be fulfilled throughout the project lifecycle. These include planning design review site control inspection and documentation. Below we explain these responsibilities in detail.

Identification of All Temporary Works

The first responsibility is to identify every element of temporary works that will be needed for the project. This begins with reviewing drawings sequencing documents method statements and talking to designers and site managers.

Failing to identify temporary works early can lead to rushed installation loss of control and unsafe improvisation. Identification should include:

Structural supports
Access systems
Protection systems
Traffic management systems
Lifting points and hoisting arrangements
Service diversions
Ground works and trench supports

This step creates clarity about what needs design and what needs approval.

Definition of Requirements and Criteria

Once temporary works have been identified the coordinator must define the functional requirements. For example:

What loads must the temporary structure support
What are the ground conditions
How long must the works remain in place
What environmental conditions exist such as wind or water
What interaction will occur between temporary and permanent works

These requirements allow designers to produce suitable engineering solutions and also ensure that site teams understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Coordination of Competent Design

Many temporary works need design by a competent engineer. The Temporary Works Coordinator ensures that:

A competent temporary works designer is appointed
Design briefs are complete and clear
Relevant design standards are used
Calculations drawings and specifications are submitted
Designs are independently checked where required

The Coordinator does not necessarily design themselves but they ensure that the design process is controlled and documented.

Review of Design and Approval for On Site Use

Designs and calculations must be reviewed before temporary works can be installed. The Coordinator verifies that:

The design matches the site requirements
No relevant information is missing
Any design checks have been completed
Conditions or limitations are understood
Residual risks are communicated to the site team

The Coordinator then issues a permit or approval to proceed with installation.

Risk Assessment and Method Planning

Temporary works involve multiple hazards including collapse entrapment falls from height and manual handling. The Temporary Works Coordinator ensures that risk assessments and method statements are produced for:

Installation
Use
Modification
Dismantling or removal

These documents explain risk controls such as sequencing exclusion zones supervision safe access and emergency measures. The Coordinator checks the content for suitability and communicates requirements to the workforce.

On Site Supervision Coordination and Communication

Temporary works often affect several contractors and trades. Therefore communication is vital. The Coordinator ensures that:

Site managers understand the temporary works plan
Trades are aware of limitations and restrictions
Scheduled works do not conflict or compromise safety
Modifications are not done without approval
Information flows between designers and site teams

Clear communication prevents common failures such as early removal of props or overloading access scaffolds.

Inspection and Monitoring

Temporary works must be inspected at key points including:

Before use
During use
After modification
Before removal

The Coordinator organises these inspections and ensures they are carried out by competent inspectors. Inspection records are stored as part of the project safety file.

Control of Modification and Change

Worksites change continuously. A major responsibility for the Coordinator is preventing unauthorised modification. If changes are required the Coordinator ensures that:

The change request is reviewed
The designer is consulted
Revised calculations or drawings are issued
New risk assessments are created if required
The workforce is briefed on changes

Change control prevents improvisation which is a major cause of structural collapse in temporary works.

Documentation and Record Keeping

Good documentation protects workers and the project. The Coordinator maintains records such as:

Design briefs
Design calculations
Drawings and specifications
Risk assessments and method statements
Inspection sheets
Permits and approvals
Change requests
Removal sequencing records

Documentation is often audited by clients regulators and insurers so accuracy matters.

Planning and Safe Removal of Temporary Works

Removal or dismantling of temporary works must be planned with the same care as installation. Removal must not compromise partially completed permanent works. The Coordinator ensures that:

Removal is sequenced safely
Loads are understood during removal
Structural stability is maintained
Exclusion zones are in place
Permanent works are inspected after removal

Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned

Effective Coordinators also promote learning by:

Analysing near misses
Reviewing incidents at industry level
Updating control procedures
Sharing knowledge with site managers and supervisors

Continuous improvement contributes to safer industry practice.

Required Knowledge Skills and Behaviours

A Temporary Works Coordinator must demonstrate competence which includes:

Technical understanding of structural behaviour
Knowledge of construction methods and sequencing
Understanding of relevant British Standards and industry guidance
Regulatory understanding including CDM and safety law
Record keeping skills
Communication and leadership
Risk awareness and problem solving

Competence is typically gained through training experience and ongoing refresher learning.

Training Pathways with Target Zero

At Target Zero Training we deliver industry recognised Temporary Works training that prepares individuals to take on the Temporary Works Coordinator role with confidence.

Temporary Works Coordinator Training

Our structured training covers:

Temporary works principles and definitions
Statutory and regulatory frameworks
Design roles responsibilities and checks
Risk management and method planning
Site control and communication
Documentation and records
Case studies and real project lessons

Enrol using our online pathway:

Temporary Works Coordinator Online Course

Temporary Works Coordinator Refresher Training

For those who have completed the full course and need to refresh competence or meet organisational requirements we provide refresher learning that keeps knowledge current and relevant to modern construction practice.

Temporary Works Coordinator Refresher Online Courses

Our online delivery model allows learning with flexibility and without travel while still providing full instructor support and certification.

Why Temporary Works Coordinators Improve Project Success

Beyond safety and legal compliance a competent Coordinator delivers significant project benefits:

Reduction in delays caused by design errors
Fewer incidents and stoppages
Better integration of subcontractors
Improved documentation and handover quality
Stronger client confidence
Better planning and cost control

Construction projects that invest in competent Temporary Works Coordinators experience fewer site disruptions and better outcomes.

Final Summary

Temporary works are an invisible backbone of construction work across the United Kingdom. They support excavations hold formwork in place provide access for trades protect workers from hazards and enable complex structures to be built in safety. Because temporary works involve real engineering risk the Temporary Works Coordinator role was created to provide competent oversight throughout identification design review installation use modification and removal.

A Temporary Works Coordinator:

Identifies temporary works requirements
Coordinates competent design
Reviews risk and method documentation
Communicates with site teams and designers
Organises inspections and approvals
Controls change and prevents improvisation
Records documentation for legal and audit purposes
Plans safe removal and learning

This role protects lives protects reputations and protects the successful delivery of construction projects. At Target Zero Training we are proud to support workers supervisors managers and organisations in developing competence through recognised learning pathways available online through our Coordinator course and refresher programmes.

You can learn more or enrol here:

Temporary Works Coordinator Responsibilities Explained

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