Temporary Works Design and Management

Introduction

Falsework, formwork, excavation support, propping, scaffolding, crane bases and many other temporary structures make permanent construction possible. Because they are temporary, they are sometimes treated with less care than permanent works, yet temporary works failures have caused some of the most serious accidents and costly delays in the industry.

This Temporary Works Design and Management training course explains how to identify, design, check, install, inspect and remove temporary works safely. Participants learn about temporary works procedures, coordinator and supervisor roles, design briefs and categories of design check, loading and stability principles, ground conditions, permits to load and dismantle, and the interface with permanent works.

The course is relevant to contractors, designers and clients, and emphasises the management systems and communication that prevent failures.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the importance and risks of temporary works
• Describe recognised good practice and procedures for temporary works control
• Define the roles of temporary works coordinators and supervisors
• Prepare clear temporary works design briefs
• Understand loading, stability and ground considerations
• Apply appropriate design check categories
• Manage permits to load, strike and dismantle
• Inspect temporary works and respond to changes on site

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Temporary works coordinators and supervisors
• Site managers and construction managers
• Site and project engineers
• Temporary works designers
• Health and safety professionals in construction
• Client and consultant representatives

Training Methodology

The course combines technical explanation with case studies of temporary works failures and practical exercises. Participants prepare a design brief, identify temporary works on a sample project, review designs for key risks and complete permit and inspection documentation for realistic scenarios.

Target Competencies

• Temporary works identification
• Design brief preparation
• Loading and stability awareness
• Design check management
• Permit control
• Site inspection

Day One: Temporary Works and Their Risks

• What temporary works are and why they matter
• Common types: falsework, formwork, shoring and scaffolding
• Lessons from temporary works failures and collapses
• Legal duties and recognised good practice in overview
• The temporary works life cycle from concept to removal
• Interfaces between temporary and permanent works
• Exercise: identifying temporary works on a sample project

Day Two: Management Systems and Roles

• Temporary works procedures and registers
• Roles of coordinators, supervisors and designers
• Competence and appointment of key personnel
• Communication between site, design and procurement
• Managing temporary works by subcontractors
• Client and principal contractor responsibilities
• Workshop: setting up a temporary works register

Day Three: Design Briefs and Design Checks

• Preparing clear and complete design briefs
• Information on loads, ground and site constraints
• Proprietary equipment and manufacturer guidance
• Design check categories and independence
• Reviewing designs for practicality and buildability
• Managing design changes during construction
• Exercise: writing a temporary works design brief

Day Four: Technical Principles

• Loads, load paths and stability of temporary structures
• Wind, impact and dynamic loading effects
• Ground bearing capacity and foundation for temporary works
• Excavation support and groundwater control
• Formwork pressures and concrete pour rates
• Lifting operations and crane platform design
• Case study: analysis of a falsework collapse

Day Five: Installation, Inspection and Removal

• Checking installation against the design
• Permits to load and to strike or dismantle
• Routine inspections and inspection records
• Responding to changes, damage and unexpected conditions
• Safe removal and dismantling sequences
• Auditing temporary works management on site
• Personal action plan for temporary works management