CITB Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course (TWSTC)

The CITB Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course (TWSTC) is a one day Site Safety Plus course for people who supervise temporary works on site.

The course explains the responsibilities of the Temporary Works Supervisor, how the TWS supports the Temporary Works Co-ordinator and how temporary works risks should be controlled using the processes set out in BS 5975-1:2024, with reference to BS 5975-2:2024.

It covers the four Cs: communication, co-operation, co-ordination and competence, along with temporary works procedures, legal duties, risk management and the responsibilities of other people involved in the temporary works process.

The course is available through live online training and selected classroom locations. Successful delegates receive a CITB digital certificate valid for five years.

Completing the TWSTC is an important part of demonstrating suitable training, but attendance and examination success do not by themselves establish competence as a Temporary Works Supervisor. Competence must also be supported by appropriate knowledge, skills and relevant experience.

What does a Temporary Works Supervisor do?

A Temporary Works Supervisor provides on-site support to the Temporary Works Co-ordinator and helps supervise and check temporary works during their construction, erection, use, alteration and dismantling.

Depending on the project and the responsibilities assigned to them, a TWS may:

• supervise and check temporary works activities on site
• monitor construction, erection, use, alteration and dismantling
• check that work is being carried out in accordance with agreed temporary works procedures and approved information
• identify and report defects, changes or departures from the agreed process
• escalate concerns to the Temporary Works Co-ordinator
• support inspections, records and permit procedures where authorised and competent to do so

Temporary works can include scaffolding, formwork, falsework, excavation support, shoring, propping, temporary access systems and working platforms.

Who should attend the TWSTC course?

This course is suitable for people who have, or are preparing to take on, responsibility for supervising temporary works on site.

Typical delegates may include:

• site supervisors and forepeople
• gangers and works supervisors
• site and section engineers
• scaffolding, formwork and falsework supervisors
• people supervising excavation support, shoring or propping
• anyone appointed or being considered for a Temporary Works Supervisor role

The TWSTC is not a temporary works design course. If you are responsible for managing and co-ordinating the overall temporary works process, the CITB Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course (TWCTC) may be more appropriate.

Online Temporary Works Supervisor Course

In addition to classroom courses, Essential Site Skills delivers the TWSTC through live online training using Zoom.

Online courses are tutor led and interactive, with the same course content, exercises and assessment requirements as classroom delivery.

Full attendance is mandatory. If your internet connection fails for a prolonged period or repeatedly during the course, you may not be able to continue unless the connection can be re-established promptly. This is to ensure the required learning and interaction are completed without disrupting other delegates.

The course, including its group work and exercises, is primarily constructed around BS 5975-1:2024, with some reference to BS 5975-2:2024.

Delegates are expected to have an awareness of the requirements of BS 5975-1:2024. It is recommended that they bring a copy of BS 5975-1:2024, although their own organisation's procedures and guidance on temporary works may also be suitable for reference during the course.

ESS will provide a course workbook that meets the specification required by CITB.

Delegates will receive a personalised Zoom meeting link as part of their course joining instructions. We recommend downloading Zoom before the course and checking that your camera, microphone and internet connection are working correctly.

Important Temporary Works Course Information

• The main aim of this course is to focus on the processes involved in temporary works, with particular attention on the role of the TWS.
• This course is not a temporary works technical awareness course, although there are elements of technical awareness that are signposted throughout and included in the course exercises.
• Attendance does not confer competence as a TWS. Competence comes from a mixture of education, training and experience and should be judged by an appropriate senior individual, usually referred to as the Designated Individual (DI).
• Training is considered an essential element of TWS competence.

TWSTC Course Content

The course focuses on the risk management of temporary works and the role of the Temporary Works Supervisor.

Topics include:

• the need for and duties of a TWS
• the other key roles involved in temporary works
• the use of BS 5975-1:2024 and BS 5975-2:2024 in relation to the role
• typical documents used in temporary works
• other legislation and guidance that interact with temporary works
• the importance of the four Cs: communication, co-ordination, co-operation and competence
• risk management
• different types of temporary works and temporary works solutions
• the causes and consequences of temporary works failure
• techniques used to help avoid failure
• the responsibilities of key stakeholders and duty holders
• how the TWS supports the TWC in the management and control of design, materials, components and temporary works solutions
• key processes that form a safe system of work
• implementation risk classification
• supervision and checking during the construction, erection and dismantling of temporary works

Which Temporary Works course do I need?

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the TWSTC.

However, delegates and their employers should consider whether they have suitable knowledge and experience to successfully complete the course. Essential Site Skills is responsible for determining whether a delegate is suitable to attend.

Delegates are expected to have a working knowledge of the following legislation:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• Work at Height Regulations 2005

A key issue for temporary works is health and safety, so delegates should be prepared to discuss how health and safety legislation applies to temporary works and how relevant Approved Codes of Practice and guidance contribute to safe working practices.

Delegates should have a good understanding of health and safety principles and the importance of risk management, design considerations, inspection and testing, recording and monitoring.

Delegates who have completed a qualification approved against the Health and Safety in Construction Site Supervision standard, such as SSSTS or SSSTS Refresher, or the Health and Safety in Construction Site Management standard, such as SMSTS or SMSTS Refresher, will have gained knowledge that can help meet these expectations.

These qualifications are not mandatory prerequisites for the TWSTC.

CITB also provides free Temporary Works Awareness eLearning, which delegates may find useful before attending the course. It provides an introduction to temporary works, relevant health and safety legislation and the documents commonly used in planning, managing and monitoring temporary works.

Photographic identification, such as a driving licence or passport, will be requested by the tutor at the start of the course.

Delegates must be able to read and understand English sufficiently to participate in the course and complete the examination. Please contact us before booking if you require advice about reasonable adjustments permitted by CITB.

Delegates Attending from Outside Great Britain (Remote Courses Only)

Essential Site Skills delivers CITB Site Safety Plus courses in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For delegates joining remotely from outside Great Britain, CITB requires a short written declaration confirming that they are attending the course in order to work within the Great British construction industry. This must be completed before the course begins.

Delegate Numbers

The minimum number of delegates per course is four and the maximum is 20.

For remote delivery, the minimum number is four and the maximum is 12.

These numbers are stipulated by CITB.