​​​​​​​Introduction

For the purpose of this procedure, “Temporary Works” refers to an ‘engineered solution’ used to

• Support or protect an existing structure or the permanent works during construction.

• Support an item of plant or equipment

• Support a trench or excavation

• Provide access

Examples of temporary works are:

• Earthworks -Trenches, excavations, Cofferdams.

• Structures - Formwork, falsework, propping, façade retention, needling, shoring, edge protection, temporary bridges, site hoarding and signage, site hoarding.

• Equipment/plant foundations – Tower crane bases, supports, anchors and ties for hoists, MCWPs, crane and piling mat platforms.

Any temporary structure used to support a permanent structure while it is not self-supporting, such as in-situ concrete construction, pre-cast concrete structures, structural steel erection and even such items as brick arches. e.g. formwork, falsework, bridgework, shoring and propping etc. (Scaffolding, cranes, trench support, sheet piling, cofferdams or caissons and other temporary works addressed separately within their own respective procedures).

Any failure of such temporary works may lead to the collapse of the permanent structure.  This could cause injury or death to those working in or near to it, as well as property damage, loss of time and money.  The causes of many past failures were foreseeable and could have been prevented by proper consideration when planning, erecting, installing, loading or dismantling.

Failures often occur because of a lack of coordination between the various trades and suppliers, inadequate design or even failing to prepare a design (particularly for minor work), not adhering to design, unstable or inadequate base support, lack of protection from moving plant/vehicles, and use of defective materials. Additionally, injuries and deaths have occurred due to falling materials etc. and falls from height. Therefore, edge protection and working platforms associated with temporary works will be addressed in this procedure.

Additional risks:

• Operatives falling during fixing and the erection of formwork;

• Materials falling whilst striking the formwork;

• Manual handling of the shutters, reinforcing bars etc;

• Cement burns from the concrete;

• Crane operations, lifting and placing components e.g. formwork shutters;

• Overloading of trench support systems;

• Surcharging excavation sides.

• Built platforms not being constructed or compacted to design specification.

Strict control of Temporary Works operations improves the safety and economy of the operation.  Thus our aim is to minimise the risk of errors and to maximise the chance of them being discovered if they are made.

1. Responsibilities

Coinford will nominate a designated individual responsible for establishing, implementing and maintaining a procedure for the control of temporary works within both the RC Frame and Groundwork sections of the business. The designated individual will also ensure any sub‐contractor working for Coinford also have adequate temporary works procedures if they are carrying out and managing temporary works.

The designated individual will also be responsible for the appointment in writing of the Temporary works coordinators and where applicable Temporary works supervisors.

Coinford designated individuals are Panos Panayiotou, Operations Director - RC frame.

Where Coinford act as Principal Contractor we will appoint a PC TWC to have overall responsibility for Temporary Works on site. The PC TWC will ensure that where another contractor manages their own Temporary Works within the site, that they appoint their own TWC/TWS and follow their own procedures.

A competent member of the site management team with sufficient knowledge, experience and training will be nominated as the temporary works coordinator.

The Project Management Team is responsible for implementation of this procedure.  The most senior manager is responsible for monitoring compliance with this procedure.  It is important to establish the precise responsibilities of organisations and individuals involved in a falsework scheme.

These responsibilities should be clearly defined, both in respect of the structures with which they are concerned and of the duties they are to fulfil.  The main items for which responsibility should be established are the:

• Design brief and concept of the scheme;

• Design, drawing and specification of the Temporary Works;

• Adequacy of the materials used;

• Control of the erection and dismantling on site of the TW, including maintenance;

• Checking of design and construction operations;

• Issuing of formal permission to Construct, load and strike the TW.
  
   

2. ​​​​​​​Duties of Temporary Works Co-coordinator

• The duties of the nominated works co-ordinator should include the following functions:

• Co-ordinate all temporary works activities;

• Ensure that the various responsibilities have been allocated and accepted;

• Ensure that a design brief has been established with full consultation, and that it is adequate and in accordance with the situation on site;

• Ensure that a satisfactory design is carried out, including calculations. Drawings and method statement;

• Ensure that the design is checked for concept, structural adequacy, and compliance with the brief;

• Ensure that safety is properly considered in the design. Drawings and method statements must include requirements for protection and access/egress as appropriate for the construction of the permanent works;

• Where appropriate, ensure that the design is made available to other interested parties, e.g. the structural designer;

• Register or record the drawings, calculations and other relevant documents relating to the final design;

• Ensure that those responsible for on-site supervision receive full details of the design, including any limitations associated with it, which should also be included on the drawings;

• Ensure that checks are made at appropriate stages covering the more critical factors;

• Ensure that the actual ground conditions and any proposed changes in materials or construction are checked against the original design and appropriate action taken if necessary;

• Ensure that any agreed changes, or correction of faults, are correctly carried out on site;

• Take appropriate action if any changes are needed during the use of Temporary Works or if the environmental conditions change;

• Issue a Permit to Construct HSF 404 once the Temporary works design has been reviewed and approved;

• Ensure that during use, all appropriate inspections and maintenance is carried out and registers are kept up to date. Record inspections when structures are in place for 7 days or more;

• After a final check that all is well, issue formal Permit to load HSF 405;

• If the TW is to be poured with concrete, then ensure a final check is completed just prior to pouring. Sign Permission to concrete on the Permit to Load;

• When it has been confirmed that the permanent structure has attained adequate strength, issue formal Permit to strike HSF 406;

• Ensure that the temporary works are dismantled in accordance with an agreed safe procedure.

• Of particular note in this list of duties is the concept of issuing a formal permit to construct once all design and material checks have been carried out, a permit to load before any concreting takes place, followed at the appropriate time, by a permit to dismantle/strike.
  
   

3. Duties of Temporary Works supervisor

• Contribute to the temporary works design brief.

• TWS is responsible to the TWC and will assist the TWC in the supervision of temporary works.

• When given authority by the TWC will issue permit to load, permit to strike and complete routine inspections.

• Ensure the works are carried out safely whilst erecting and dismantling the temporary works and follow the agreed methods.

• Ensure works follow the drawings and specification detailed on the plans.

• Liaise with TWC to ensure any modifications made in the course of erection are notified to the TWC and are approved before issuing a Permit to Load. 

• Provide copies of inspection certificates and the Permit to Load to the TWC and other relevant personnel e.g. Site Manager, who will sign to acknowledge receipt.  A signed copy will be retained in the Temporary Works file.
  
   

4. Design Brief

Whether the Temporary Works design is provided by standard solutions or by individual design, the parameters on which the design is to be based need to be clearly established.  It must be recognised that the loads imposed on Temporary Works do not arise only from the permanent structure; many will occur as a result of method and plant decisions.

5. Monitoring and Control

The Project Management Team will ensure that:

• The control measures identified are being implemented along with the requirements identified in the Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan;

• All necessary design drawings, sketches and calculations are available on site before work starts to enable the falsework to be erected properly. Where appropriate, ensure that method statements for the work detailing the sequence and methodology are being followed;

• All materials used in the Temporary Works are in good order;

• A safe system of work is prepared for the erection and dismantling of Temporary Works, providing safe access and working places for personnel involved. A Hierarchy of control in the following order should be complied with:

• Working platforms with edge protection consisting of 950mm minimum hand rail height, toe boards and gaps between no greater than 470mm, provided as early as reasonably practicable;

• Collective protection arrangements such as proprietary edge protection systems, crash decks or netting;

• Work restraint systems; and finally

• Fall arrest equipment.
   

6. Materials

It is a prerequisite, in all Temporary Works installations, that the materials used are in accordance with the drawings or standard details and of the correct specification and in good condition.  A pre-erection check of all materials should be made, including the quantities supplied or known to be on order. Missing materials can mean, "Making do", the consequences of which can lead to disaster and as such, this type of policy must be avoided at all times.

​​​​​​​Therefore it is imperative to make sure that when undertaking Temporary Works we have ensured that:

• A specific design and relevant drawings have been received and checked;

• Method statements prepared, evaluated and agreed before work commences;

• Crash decking, guardrails or other suitable means to prevent falls are put in place as the work progresses and that the guardrail height is maintained to 950mm from the working platform surface and gaps between guardrails not exceeding 470mm at all stages of construction;

• Operatives have safe access and egress to the work area – it is not permitted to stand on primary or other open timbers, beams etc;

• Working platforms, stage decks and other platform attachments are to be in accord with the design and the manufacturers’ product instructions and specifications;

• An adequate secured ladder or tower scaffold is used for access.  Climbing up the vertical sections or reinforcement or the wedges of column forms is not permitted. Likewise suitable access must be provided into Excavations;

• Equipment is in good order;

• Loads are spread evenly as possible on the temporary structure not in localised areas;

• It is known when back-propping (including bracing) what is required and how soon the new structure can be loaded;

• There is a planned dismantling or striking procedure;

• Erection of falsework is on properly designed foundations.
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7. Procedural Flowchart

To assist in ensuring compliance with BS5975: Codes of practice for Temporary works procedure, we have developed a procedural flowchart which describes the entire process from appointment of TWC and TWS through to striking the Temporary works. The flowchart clearly shows the steps that need to be completed along with the person responsible for completing the task. The flow chart is contained below:​​​​​​​

Risk Classification (Detailed on TWR)