1.7 Temporary Works

Question 1

What is being described below:

parts of a construction project that will be used and remain in position for a long time - e.g. 60 years

Answer 1

permanent works

Question 2

What is being described below:

parts of a construction project that are needed to enable
the permanent works to be built

Answer 2

temporary works

Question 3

The three fundamental aspects need to be considered in order to ensure the strength and stability of any temporary works structure:

Answer 3

Foundations

Structural integrity

Stability

Question 4

Do temporary works designers have the same designer duties as permanent works designers on CDM-notifiable projects?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

What is being described below:

 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, cofferdams
 equipment/plant foundations - tower crane bases, supports, anchors and ties for construction hoists and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs), ground works to
provide suitable locations for plant erection, e.g. mobile cranes and piling rigs

Answer 5

Examples of temporary works

Question 6

What is being described below:

 absence of or an inadequate temporary works procedure
 no temporary works coordinator (TWC) appointed
 inadequate site investigation (including geotechnical investigation, identification of underground services, assessment of the structural condition of existing and/or
adjacent buildings)
 inadequate, or lack of: design brief, design for the temporary works, or appropriate level of checking of temporary works designs
 lack of awareness on site of temporary works design assumptions
 lack of availability and / or inappropriate use of temporary works equipment
 inappropriate use of temporary works equipment
 poorly constructed temporary works and / or absence of checking of adequate erection
 unauthorised changes to an approved temporary works design
 overloading of temporary works, i.e. failure to control loading or lack of awareness of the capacity of the equipment
 inadequate communication of details of the temporary works design to the erectors
 inadequate foundations for the temporary works; and
 lack of adequate lateral stability for the temporary works.

Answer 6

The main causes of temporary works failures

Question 7

What is being described below:

 appointment of a temporary works Co-ordinator (TWC);
 preparation of an adequate design brief;
 completion and maintenance of a temporary works register;
 production of a temporary works design - including a design risk assessment and a
designer’s method statement, where appropriate;
 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 – i.e., procedures to: confirm the temporary works have been erected in accordance with the design, and issue a formal ‘permit to load’, where necessary, and confirm when the permanent works have attained adequate strength to allow dismantling of the temporary works, and issue a formal ‘permit to dismantle’
where necessary;
 measures to ensure that the design function, the role of TWC, and temporary works Supervisor(s) where appropriate, are carried out by competent individuals.

Answer 7

Procedures for controlling temporary works

Question 8

What is being described below:

 design brief number (for each item) and date issued; 
 short description of temporary works; 
 date required; 
 category of temporary works; 
 designer; 
 design checker; 
 date design complete; 
 date design checked/approved; 
 erection complete and checked or ‘Permit to Load’; and 
 ‘Permit to Dismantle’.

Answer 8

Sections to be included in a temporary works register

Question 9

What is being described below:

 experience of the relevant types of temporary works;
 formal TWC training;
 Degree / HND in civil/ structural engineering; and
 Chartered Civil / Structural Engineer.

Answer 9

HSE’s ‘ideal’ TWC competencies