Looking to improve site safety and BS5975 compliance? Essential Site Skills offers CITB-accredited Temporary Works training to ensure your team is qualified to coordinate or supervise temporary structures safely and professionally.
Temporary works are the structures or systems used to support construction, which are not normally part of the final permanent building or infrastructure. They play a crucial role in enabling safe and efficient construction activities.
These temporary elements provide support, access, protection, or structural stability during different stages of a project, and are normally removed once their purpose has been fulfilled.
Because temporary works are so critical to site safety, any failure or collapse can result in serious injury, delays, or legal consequences. That’s why effective planning, design, inspection, and dismantling of these structures is essential.
To help ensure best practice, the industry follows BS5975 – the British Standard for managing temporary works. This guidance outlines how temporary works should be designed, supervised, and controlled on site, including the appointment of qualified roles like the Temporary Works Coordinators (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisors (TWS).
Training in these roles helps ensure that every temporary structure is safe, compliant, and professionally managed from start to finish.
Temporary works examples:
Scaffolding
Formwork and falsework for concrete
Excavation supports and trench shoring
Props and back-propping for structural support
Temporary bridges, access platforms, and ramps
Hoardings, fencing, or weather protection systems
With modern construction sites becoming more complex, Temporary Works training is essential for ensuring both safety and legal compliance.
While having a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) or Supervisor (TWS) on a project is not a legal requirement, compliance with BS5975 is considered best practice by the construction industry and strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The standard provides clear guidance on managing temporary works effectively, including the appointment of responsible personnel and the use of formal procedures and risk assessments.
Employers who fail to implement a structured temporary works process risk more than just project delays, incidents involving scaffolding collapses, excavation failures, or improper support systems can result in serious injury, enforcement action, or prosecution under broader health and safety regulations.
Training in temporary works ensures that key personnel understand their duties under BS5975 and are competent to manage or supervise these critical structures. This includes establishing a live Temporary Works Register, preparing and reviewing design briefs, liaising with engineers to ensure correct design checks are completed, and overseeing inspection and dismantling procedures.
By following the principles outlined in BS5975, including the “4 Cs” (Communication, Cooperation, Coordination, and Competency) trained Coordinators and Supervisors help maintain safe sites, reduce risk, and give clients confidence that temporary works are being managed professionally.
Temporary Works Coordinators (TWCs) and Temporary Works Supervisors (TWSs) play distinct but equally important roles in managing temporary works on construction sites. Understanding their responsibilities is crucial for selecting the right training course.
Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC):
The TWC is the appointed person responsible for overseeing and coordinating all temporary works on a construction project. This is typically a senior role taken by a Site Manager, Engineer, or experienced Supervisor.
They manage the overall temporary works process in line with BS5975, ensuring compliance, safety, and coordination between all parties.
Key responsibilities of a TWC include:
This role focuses on strategic oversight and compliance with BS5975 throughout the project lifecycle.
Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS):
The TWS provides hands-on site supervision of temporary works operations. This role is often filled by a Foreman, Ganger, or Site Supervisor, and involves working under the guidance of the TWC.
While the TWC manages planning and design coordination, the TWS ensures those plans are followed safely and correctly on site.
Key responsibilities of a TWS include:
The TWS ensures that temporary works are delivered safely and correctly at ground level.
Role | Focus | Typical Job Title | Course Required |
TWC | Management, planning, compliance | Site Manager, Engineer | 2-day Coordinator course |
TWS | On-site implementation, daily supervision | Foreman, Site Supervisor | 1-day Supervisor course |
On smaller projects, one person may carry out both roles. However, for larger or more complex projects, having separate trained individuals is best practice to ensure clarity and accountability.
Key Difference:
The TWC is responsible for the overall planning, design coordination, and compliance of temporary works, they manage the big picture.
The TWS is focused on the day-to-day site supervision and implementation, ensuring the works are erected and used safely.
Both roles are vital to maintaining site safety and BS5975 compliance. The TWC sets the framework; the TWS ensures it’s followed on the ground.
To help construction professionals fulfil these critical roles, Essential Site Skills offers CITB-accredited Temporary Works training courses for both Coordinators and Supervisors, as well as refresher training to keep knowledge up to date. These courses are part of the CITB Site Safety Plus suite, recognised nationally across the UK. Whether you’re based in London or anywhere in England, you can attend our courses in-person at training centres or delivered online via live tutor-led virtual classrooms
CITB Temporary Works Coordinator Course (TWCTC) – 2 Days
This two-day course is designed for individuals managing or coordinating temporary works on site. It’s suitable for those appointed as a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) and provides a comprehensive understanding of how to implement and manage temporary works procedures in line with BS5975.
Key topics include:
Upon completion, delegates receive a CITB Temporary Works Coordinator certificate, valid for 5 years.
CITB Temporary Works Coordinator Refresher Course (TWCTC-R) – 1 Day
This one-day refresher course is aimed at those who have already completed the full TWCTC and need to renew their certificate before it expires. It revisits core principles and covers any recent updates to BS5975 or industry practice.
Why attend the refresher?
CITB Temporary Works Supervisor Course (TWSTC) – 1 Day
This one-day course is designed for those taking on the role of Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS). It’s suitable for Site Supervisors, Foremen, Engineers, or anyone overseeing the safe execution of temporary works on site.
Course highlights:
On successful completion, delegates will receive a CITB Temporary Works Supervisor certificate, valid for 5 years.
Free Temporary Works General Awareness Course
If you're new to temporary works or not yet in a supervisory role, you can start with our free CITB Temporary Works General Awareness eCourse.
This online course is a convenient introduction to the principles of temporary works in construction. It helps you understand what temporary works are, why they're important, and how they are typically managed on site.
Please note: This is an awareness-level course only and does not qualify you to act as a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) or Supervisor (TWS). For those formal roles, the relevant CITB-accredited training is required.
Choosing the right training provider is just as important as choosing the right course. At Essential Site Skills, we’re proud to deliver high-quality Temporary Works training that meets industry standards and supports safer construction sites across the UK.
Why Train with Essential Site Skills?
We deliver CITB Site Safety Plus accredited Temporary Works courses, including TWCTC and TWSTC. Your certification will be recognised nationwide and meet the expectations of principal contractors, clients, and regulatory bodies.
Our trainers are qualified construction professionals with direct experience in temporary works management. They bring real-life examples, case studies, and insights to the classroom, helping you apply what you learn straight to site.
Our training goes beyond theory. Through interactive discussions, group tasks, and relevant construction scenarios, delegates gain confidence in applying BS5975 principles to real-world challenges — whether on large sites or smaller projects.
We offer Temporary Works training in key cities across England, including London, Birmingham, and Manchester, along with online 'virtual classroom delivery' for those who prefer to train remotely.
Our virtual classroom courses are delivered live online by a qualified tutor, providing the same interactive experience and expert instruction as in-person sessions. You’ll join scheduled sessions via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, ask questions in real time, and complete the course from your home or office.
No matter your location, we make it easy to access the training you need.
Have a team to train? We also deliver in-house courses tailored to your company and site needs.
We support you at every step, from helping you select the right course (Coordinator vs Supervisor), to answering CITB grant funding queries, to post-course support.
Our team is committed to improving site safety across the industry and empowering individuals to take ownership of compliance and risk management.
Thousands of professionals have successfully trained with Essential Site Skills. With high pass rates and excellent feedback, we’re one of the UK’s most trusted providers for construction safety and compliance training.
Temporary works can be any structure or system put in place to facilitate construction, which will later be removed. Common examples in building construction include scaffolding around structures, trench supports and shoring in excavations, bracing and propping for formwork or during building alterations, temporary access roads and ramps, cranage platforms, cofferdams in water engineering, and even weather protection canopies. Essentially, if it’s not part of the final permanent structure and it’s used to aid construction or protect workers/works, it falls under temporary works. Because these examples are so varied, managing them safely requires careful planning and competent supervision – which is exactly what Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor training prepares you to do.
BS5975 is the British Standard titled “Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework.” It is the key document that outlines how temporary works should be managed in the UK construction industry. BS5975 provides guidance on establishing a temporary works procedure on projects, including the roles of the Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor, how to classify and check temporary works designs, the use of a temporary works register, and general safety measures. While BS5975 itself is not law, it is considered best practice – the HSE expects contractors to follow its principles as part of meeting their legal duties under regulations like CDM 2015. Compliance with BS5975 greatly reduces the risk of accidents by ensuring there is clear responsibility and process for every temporary structure. The CITB Temporary Works courses are closely aligned with BS5975, so training will familiarise you with its recommendations and how to apply them on site. In short, BS5975 is important because it is the industry benchmark for safe temporary works management, and being trained to that standard means you can help your project avoid failures or collapses of temporary works.
This depends on the role you hold or aspire to on construction projects. If you are or will be responsible for managing the overall temporary works process – for example, if you’re a Site Manager, Project Engineer, or designated Temporary Works Coordinator for your company – then the TWCTC (Temporary Works Coordinator Training Course) is the right choice. It provides the in-depth knowledge required to plan, coordinate and ensure compliance for all temporary works on site. On the other hand, if your duties are more focused on the hands-on supervision of specific temporary works activities – for instance, if you’re a Site Supervisor, Foreman, or chargehand who will inspect and direct daily temporary works operations – then the TWSTC (Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course) is more suitable. This course will arm you with practical know-how to oversee site works safely and to know when to consult the TWC or engineers for guidance. Some individuals eventually attend both courses (Supervisor first, then Coordinator as they advance in their career). If in doubt, our team at ESS can advise you based on your experience and job role. Remember, both roles are vital: the Coordinator creates the management framework and the Supervisor implements it on the ground. Having properly trained people in both positions ensures a robust safety net for temporary works on your project.
Yes. Both the Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor certificates issued by CITB are valid for 5 years. After 5 years, to remain certified you will need to requalify. For Coordinators, CITB offers a one-day refresher course (TWCTC-R) which you should attend around the time your original certificate expires. Completing the refresher will extend your qualification for another 5 years and update you on any changes (for example, amendments to BS5975 or new best practices). If a Coordinator’s certificate lapses without a refresher, you may need to retake the full 2-day course to regain the qualification. For Temporary Works Supervisors, currently there isn’t a separate refresher course – it’s generally recommended to retake the 1-day TWSTC after 5 years to stay up to date. Staying current is important because the field of temporary works can evolve with new techniques, materials, and safety learnings. Essential Site Skills will send reminders for renewal and offers refresher sessions to ensure you never let your competency lapse.
Absolutely. Essential Site Skills is a national training provider. We run Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor courses across England, including regular sessions in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and other major cities, as well as in-company courses upon request. If you’re looking for a Temporary Works course in London, for example, you can check our training calendar for upcoming London dates or choose a convenient remote training option to attend from anywhere. No matter where you are based, our aim is to make training accessible. By choosing ESS, you get the same high-quality instruction and CITB certification regardless of location. Please contact us to find the next available course near you or to discuss on-site training for your team.
Ensuring the safety and success of construction projects starts with having the right knowledge and qualifications. If you or your team are involved with temporary works – whether coordinating the plans or supervising on the ground – now is the time to invest in professional training. Essential Site Skills is here to help you every step of the way, from selecting the appropriate course to achieving certification.
Take the next step: Enrol in our Temporary Works Coordinator or Supervisor course and join the ranks of competent, qualified professionals who keep construction sites safe and compliant. Visit the course pages for TWCTC or TWSTC to view upcoming training dates, pricing, and booking information. You can also reach out to us directly if you have any questions or need guidance on which course fits your needs.
Don’t leave critical safety roles to chance – get fully trained and confident in managing temporary works engineer. With Essential Site Skills’ expert training, you’ll gain the skills to plan, supervise, and execute temporary works the right way, preventing accidents and ensuring every project you work on adheres to the highest safety standards. Contact us today to secure your place on the next available course and take a positive step toward safer, more efficient construction site management.
