A Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is a competent person formally appointed by the contractor or organization to manage and coordinate all temporary works activities on a construction site, ensuring they are planned, designed, implemented, and dismantled safely and in compliance with relevant standards and procedures. The TWC is the central point of contact and control, ensuring that all procedures for the design, erection, loading, inspection, and dismantling of temporary works are implemented correctly and safely.
Explanation
The primary purpose of the TWC is to prevent failures of temporary works by ensuring that a sound process is followed at all stages. Temporary works—such as scaffolding, formwork, shoring, excavation support, and falsework—can pose serious risks if not managed properly. The TWC is not typically the designer of the temporary works, but rather the manager of the process. Their key responsibilities include:
- Establishing Procedures: Ensuring that a clear procedure for managing temporary works is established and followed on site. This includes maintaining a Temporary Works Register, which is a log of all temporary works on the project. Making sure procedures comply with standards like BS 5975 (UK) or local regulatory frameworks. Ensuring risk assessments and method statements are in place
- Coordination: Acting as the main point of contact between the temporary works designers, the site management team, the erection crew, and permanent works designers. They ensure that all relevant information is communicated effectively between all parties.
- Checking and Review: Ensuring that temporary works designs are adequate and have been checked by a qualified third party (design check). They also ensure that the materials and equipment being used are appropriate and in good condition.
- Inspections and Permits: Formally authorizing the erection and loading of temporary works by issuing permits. A “Permit to Load” is only issued after the TWC is satisfied that the temporary structure has been erected correctly according to the design and has been inspected by a competent person.
- Ensuring Competence: Verifying that the individuals responsible for erecting, inspecting, and dismantling the temporary works are competent and have the necessary training and experience.
- Managing Change: Controlling any proposed changes or deviations from the original design, ensuring they are properly reviewed and approved by the designer before being implemented.
A TWC must be competent, meaning they have the right mix of experience, training, and knowledge. Many organizations require TWCs to complete recognized training courses, such as the CITB Temporary Works Coordinator course in the UK.
Example of TWC in Action
Scenario: On the same multi-story concrete building project, a new subcontractor needs to install heavy pre-cast concrete balconies onto the third floor. This requires propping the floor below to support the extra weight during installation.
- Identification: The Site Manager identifies that this propping is a new piece of temporary work. They inform the project’s appointed Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC).
- Coordination & Design: The TWC contacts the subcontractor to request their temporary works design for the propping. The TWC reviews the design brief to ensure it accounts for the correct loads. They then ensure the design is passed to an independent engineer for a “design check” to verify its structural adequacy.
- Registration: The TWC adds this new item, “Balcony Installation Propping – 3rd Floor,” to the site’s Temporary Works Register.
- Pre-Erection Briefing: Before the props are installed, the TWC holds a briefing with the subcontractor’s erection team. They review the design drawing, the sequence of installation, and confirm the team is competent to do the work.
- Inspection and Permitting: Once the subcontractor has erected the propping system, the TWC arranges for a competent inspector (a Temporary Works Supervisor or engineer) to check it against the design. The inspector confirms all props are in the correct location, are properly tightened, and are on suitable foundations. The inspector signs an inspection certificate.
- Permit to Load: Only after receiving the signed inspection certificate does the TWC issue a formal “Permit to Load.” This permit is given to the subcontractor, authorizing them to begin lifting and placing the heavy balconies, as the temporary works are now verified as safe to carry the load.
- Dismantling: Once the balconies are permanently fixed and the mortar has cured, the TWC will issue a “Permit to Dismantle,” ensuring the props are removed in a safe sequence.
In this example, the TWC did not design the propping but managed the entire safety process from start to finish, preventing the subcontractor from taking shortcuts and ensuring the safety of everyone on site.
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