Site Policy & Management · Mandatory · Construction

Temporary Works Register

The management register tracking every temporary works item on a construction project from design through to removal. Covers falsework, formwork, excavation support, scaffolding, propping, and crane bases. Documents design checks, independent verification, permit-to-load, inspection during use, and permit-to-strike for each item. BS 5975:2019 requires appointment of a competent TWC.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. BS 5975:2019 / CDM 2015 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	BS 5975:2019 + CDM 2015 Regulations 13 and 19
Scope	Falsework, formwork, excavation support, scaffolding, propping, crane bases, and all other temporary structures
Key appointments	Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) — written appointments required
Permit system	Permit-to-load and permit-to-strike system required for each TW item
Why it matters	TW failures are disproportionately deadly — falsework collapse, trench collapse, and propping failure kill without warning
Enforcing authority	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

1. Temporary Works Register — Tracking Every TW Item from Design to Strike

The Temporary Works Register is the central management tool that gives the Temporary Works Coordinator visibility and control over every temporary works item on the project, from initial design through installation, use, and eventual removal. It is the single document that tracks the entire lifecycle of each temporary works element and ensures that nothing is overlooked, installed without a checked design, loaded without authorisation, or struck prematurely.

Temporary works failures are disproportionately deadly in construction. Falsework collapse during a concrete pour, trench collapse during excavation, and propping failure during structural alterations are among the most catastrophic incidents that occur on construction sites. These failures often happen suddenly, without warning, and frequently result in multiple fatalities. The register exists to prevent these failures by imposing a systematic procedure on every temporary works item.

TWC must be competent — BS 5975:2019 sets specific requirements

The Temporary Works Coordinator must be competent in accordance with BS 5975:2019, which sets specific knowledge and experience requirements for the role. The TWC must understand the types of temporary works on the project, be able to assign design check categories, and have the authority to stop work. A written appointment is required, and the TWC must be named in the temporary works procedure.

2. Register Content

The Temporary Works Register must record the full lifecycle of each temporary works item. The following table sets out the information that should be captured for each entry in the register.

Field	Detail
Project reference	Project name, number, and site address
TWC appointed	Name of the Temporary Works Coordinator, date of appointment, and confirmation of written appointment letter
TW reference	Unique reference number for each temporary works item (e.g. TW-001, TW-002)
Description	Clear description of the temporary works item (e.g. propping to party wall at grid line B, falsework to first floor slab pour 3)
Designer	Name and organisation of the Temporary Works Designer (TWD) responsible for the design
Design check	Design check category assigned by the TWC, name of the Design Checker (TWDC) for Cat 2/3 items, date design check completed and signed off
TWS appointed	Name of the Temporary Works Supervisor responsible for installation and supervision of this item
Permit to Load	Date and signature of the TWC authorising the temporary works to be loaded (e.g. concrete pour to commence, scaffold to be loaded)
Inspection during use	Dates of inspections carried out during the period the temporary works are in use, with findings and any remedial actions
Permit to Strike	Date and signature of the TWC authorising removal of the temporary works, with confirmation that permanent works have adequate strength
Removed	Confirmation that the temporary works have been fully removed and the area made safe
Status	Current status of the item: Design, Installed, In Use, Struck, Closed

3. Common Mistakes

Not appointing a Temporary Works Coordinator

BS 5975:2019 requires that a Temporary Works Coordinator is appointed for every project involving temporary works. Without a TWC, there is no procedural control, no register management, no design check category assignment, and no formal authorisation for loading or striking. This is consistently identified as the primary failing in HSE investigations following temporary works failures.

Failing to get designs checked independently

For Cat 2 and Cat 3 temporary works, an independent design check by a separate competent engineer (TWDC) is required. Allowing the original designer to self-check higher-risk temporary works removes the safety net that catches design errors before they reach site. The TWDC must be genuinely independent of the original design and must sign off a design check certificate.

Issuing permits to strike before permanent structure has adequate strength

Temporary works must not be struck until the permanent works have achieved adequate strength to carry the loads previously supported by the temporary works. For concrete, this means achieving the specified striking strength — not simply waiting a fixed number of days. The TWC must confirm that the permanent works are capable before issuing a permit to strike. Premature striking is one of the most common causes of structural collapse.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Permit to Work (E7) and the Temporary Works Register?▾

They serve different purposes and operate at different levels. The Permit to Work (E7) is a day-by-day authorisation system that controls specific high-risk activities on a particular day or shift. The Temporary Works Register is the overarching lifecycle record that tracks each temporary works item from design through to removal. The register drives the permit system — the permit to load and permit to strike recorded in the register are the formal authorisations that control when temporary works can be loaded and when they can be removed.

Can the site manager act as the TWC?▾

On smaller projects, the site manager may act as the TWC provided they have the requisite competence — sufficient knowledge, experience, and understanding of the types of temporary works on the project. However, on larger or more complex projects, the TWC role demands significant time and technical expertise, and a dedicated TWC with an engineering background is normally required. The key requirement is competence, not job title.

Does scaffolding need to be included in the register?▾

Yes. Scaffolding is temporary works and must be included in the Temporary Works Register, assigned a design check category by the TWC, and managed through the BS 5975 procedure. Standard scaffolds designed to TG20 may be lower category, but complex scaffolds — including cantilever scaffolds, loading bays, and scaffolds supporting temporary roofs — are typically Cat 2 or Cat 3 and require independent design checking.

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