The Crucial Role of Temporary Works Engineering in the UK
Table of Contents
What is Temporary Works Engineering?
Temporary works engineering in the UK refers to the design, construction, and management of temporary structures, systems, or support systems used during the construction process to ensure the safety, stability, and efficiency of the project. These temporary works are engineered solutions that provide support, access, or protection for the construction of permanent structures. They can be categorized into various types, including earthworks, structures, and equipment/plant foundations.
Examples of temporary works include:
– Earthworks: Trenches, excavations, temporary slopes, and stockpiles.
– Structures: Formwork, falsework, propping, façade retention, needling, shoring, edge protection, scaffolding, temporary bridges, site hoarding and signage, site fencing, and cofferdams.
– Equipment/plant foundations: Tower crane bases, supports, anchors, and ties for construction hoists and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs), groundworks to provide suitable locations for plant erection, such as mobile cranes and piling rigs.
Temporary works are subject to careful planning and coordination under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), which emphasize the need for risk assessment, proper design, and effective communication to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Temporary works can be categorized into several types, including excavation support systems, formwork for pouring concrete walls, and temporary bridges for access.
The management of temporary works involves several key elements:
– Appointment of a Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC) or Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) to oversee the design, construction, and dismantling of temporary works.
– Preparation of a design brief outlining the scope, objectives, and requirements of the temporary works.
– Completion and maintenance of a temporary works register to document the design, construction, and dismantling of temporary works.
– Production of a temporary works design, including a design risk assessment and a designer’s method statement where necessary.
– Independent checking of the temporary works design.
– Issue of a design/design check certificate, if appropriate.
– Pre-erection inspection of the temporary works materials and components.
– Control and supervision of the erection, safe use, maintenance, and dismantling of the temporary works.
Large and medium contractors often outsource aspects of temporary works design and management, while smaller contractors may not have the experience to operate their own temporary works procedure and may need to obtain assistance from external sources.
What is the Temporary works procedure?
The Temporary Works Procedure is a set of guidelines and processes that ensure the safe management of temporary works during construction projects. It is mandatory for all company operations and is the responsibility of the company’s Designated Individual (DI) to ensure its appropriateness and up-to-date status. The procedure covers the control, design, and management of temporary works, including earthworks, structures, and equipment/plant foundations, to facilitate the construction of permanent works and protect or support them during the construction process.
The Temporary Works Procedure includes the following key elements:
- Definition: Temporary works are defined as parts of the works that allow or enable the construction of protecting, support, or provide access to the permanent works and might or might not remain in place at the completion of the works. Examples include earthworks support, structures, and equipment/plant foundations.
- Design Brief: A document outlining the scope, objectives, and requirements of the temporary works is prepared.
- Temporary Works Register: A document is maintained to monitor and manage all the temporary works required for the project.
- Inspection and Certification: Regular inspections and certification of temporary works are carried out to ensure their safety and compliance with the design brief.
- Temporary Works Design: All items of temporary works must be designed, with coordination between the Temporary Works Designer and Permanent Works Designer.
- Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC): A competent person is appointed to plan and manage temporary works on a project.
- Temporary Works Design Checker (TWDC): An independent party reviews the final temporary works drawings and specifications to confirm their adequacy and correctness.
- Competence: The procedure should specify how designers and design checkers are selected, assessed, approved, and allocated.
- Risk Management: The procedure should address appointments to leadership roles, competence, and control of risk.
The Temporary Works Procedure is intended to promote the safe management of temporary works, enhance a company’s health and safety performance, and comply with legislative duties. It is essential to have a robust and effective temporary works procedure in place to ensure the safety of workers, the public, and the environment during construction projects.
What is included in the temporary works design brief:
The Temporary Works Design Brief is a mandatory document that outlines the scope and requirements for the creation of temporary works designs. It serves as the central focus for design decisions, work calculations, and drawings, incorporating all data relevant to the design of the temporary works. The importance of a Temporary Works Design Brief stems from the potential dangers associated with implementing temporary works that are not properly planned and managed. The requirement for such a design brief traces back to the Bragg Report, commissioned after a series of fatal temporary works failures in the 1970s, and is documented by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and BS5975.
The design brief is crucial for the success of temporary works as it ensures the development of the right solution and design to match the specific needs of a project. It informs the design process and helps in arriving at the best solution. A Temporary Works Design Brief should include:
– Site constraints
– Specific materials and temporary works components available
– Preferences on proprietary requirements for the designer
– Any concept designs or thoughts on completing the design
– Unusual hazards, such as regular flooding or unusual construction materials
– Timescales
– A clear written description, possibly with sketches, to demonstrate what is required
– Relevant attachments from the project, including soils information and plant loadings
However, the design brief should not be overloaded with unnecessary information. It should not include every document related to the project or deadlines stated as “ASAP” without a specific date. The procedural control for a Temporary Works Design Brief, as documented in BS5975, does not necessitate a formal document, but having one can guide ensuring sufficient information for the design to be completed and checked. The design brief can be written once the temporary works register process, which outlines the required temporary works, has begun, allowing suitable time for the creation of the design.
The responsibility for the creation and accuracy of Temporary Works Design Briefs on a project rests with the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC). While the TWC does not have to create the brief themselves, they must ensure that an adequate design brief is provided to the designer and checker.
What is the responsibility and role of the Designated Individual?
The role of the Designated Individual (DI) in temporary works is as follows:
Responsibilities of the Designated Individual:
– The DI is a senior person appointed by an organization involved in temporary works to prepare, maintain, and implement the organization’s procedure for the control of temporary works.
– The DI is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s temporary works procedure is appropriate and up-to-date.
– The DI appoints the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) for a project and maintains a register of all TWC and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) appointments.
– The DI ensures the competence of individuals involved in temporary works design, checking, and supervision within the organization.
– For contractors, the DI appoints a TWC who is responsible for managing all temporary works on the project. For subcontractors, the DI appoints a TWC who reports to the principal contractor’s TWC.
– The DI plays a crucial role in implementing the organization’s quality management system and procedures related to temporary work.
In summary, the Designated Individual is a senior-level appointment within an organization involved in temporary works. They are responsible for establishing and maintaining the organization’s temporary works procedure, ensuring competent personnel are appointed to key temporary works roles, and overseeing the overall management of temporary works within the organization’s projects.
What is the difference between a Designated Individual (DI) and Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWC)?
The key differences between a Designated Individual (DI) and a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) in the context of temporary works are:
Designated Individual (DI)
– A senior person appointed by an organization involved in temporary works, typically a director or senior manager.
– Responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the organization’s procedure for the control of temporary works.
– Ensures the competence of individuals involved in temporary works design, checking, and supervision within the organization.
– Appoints the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) for a project and maintains a register of all TWC and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) appointments.
– Oversees the overall management of temporary works within the organization’s projects.
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
– Appointed by the Principal Contractor as early as possible in a project.
– Has overall responsibility to ensure that all temporary works under their control are carried out in accordance with BS 5975 and the company’s temporary works procedure.
– Manages and coordinates all temporary works activities on a specific construction site.
– Can delegate certain day-to-day activities, such as site inspection, to a nominated Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS).
– Responsible for maintaining an up-to-date temporary works register for the project.
– Reports to the Designated Individual (DI) of their organization.
In summary, the Designated Individual is a senior organizational role responsible for establishing and maintaining the temporary works procedure, while the Temporary Works Coordinator is a project-specific role responsible for the on-site management and coordination of temporary works activities, reporting to the Designated Individual.
Who Appoints the Designated Individual, Temporary works co-ordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor:
Appointment of Designated Individual (DI)
The Designated Individual is a crucial role within an organization involved in temporary works, such as a contractor or subcontractor. This senior-level appointment is typically made by the organization’s board of directors or top management. The DI is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the organization’s procedure for the control of temporary works, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
The DI plays a pivotal role in overseeing the overall management of temporary works within the organization’s projects. They are responsible for ensuring the competence of individuals involved in temporary works design, checking, and supervision. Additionally, the DI appoints the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) for each project and maintains a register of all TWC and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) appointments.
Appointment of Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)
The appointment of the Temporary Works Coordinator is a critical step in the management of temporary works on a construction project. For the Principal Contractor, the TWC is appointed as early as possible in the project lifecycle, typically during the pre-construction phase. The Principal Contractor’s management team, often in consultation with the project manager and the Designated Individual, selects a competent individual to fulfill this role.
In the case of subcontractors, if they are contracted to manage their own temporary works, their Designated Individual appoints a TWC. This TWC reports to the Principal Contractor’s TWC for the area in which they operate, ensuring coordination and alignment with the overall temporary works management strategy.
The TWC has overall responsibility to ensure that all temporary works under their control are carried out in accordance with relevant standards, such as BS 5975, and the company’s temporary works procedure. They manage and coordinate all temporary works activities on the construction site, including maintaining an up-to-date temporary works register for the project.
Appointment of Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the Temporary Works Coordinator may appoint one or more Temporary Works Supervisors (TWS) to assist in the supervision and monitoring of temporary works activities on site. The TWS is responsible for ensuring compliance with the temporary works design and reporting any deviations or issues to the TWC.
The appointment of the TWS is typically made by the TWC or the site manager, taking into consideration the individual’s competence, experience, and familiarity with the specific temporary works involved in the project. The TWS works under the direction of the TWC and plays a crucial role in the day-to-day supervision and inspection of temporary works on site.
It is important to note that the appointments of the DI, TWC, and TWS are not just formalities but carry significant responsibilities and legal obligations. These roles are critical in ensuring the safe and effective management of temporary works, protecting the health and safety of workers, and minimizing risks associated with construction activities.