Temporary Works Coordination on Irish Construction Sites: What Contractors Must Know
Temporary works failures are a leading cause of fatalities on Irish construction sites.
Temporary works are one of the most underestimated sources of risk on Irish construction sites. Scaffolding, formwork, falsework, shoring, trench support, and temporary propping are all temporary works, and when they fail, the consequences are often catastrophic. Yet the management of temporary works on many sites in Leinster remains informal, poorly documented, and inadequately supervised. In this guide, I will explain what temporary works are, what the legal requirements are for managing them in Ireland, and what the role of the Temporary Works Coordinator involves in practice. --- ## What Are Temporary Works? Temporary works are structures or systems that are used during construction to support, protect, or facilitate the construction of the permanent works, and which are removed once the permanent works are complete. They include: - Scaffolding and access towers - Formwork and falsework (used to support concrete during casting) - Temporary propping (used to support existing structures during alteration or demolition) - Shoring and trench support - Temporary bridges and access structures - Cofferdams and caissons - Temporary retaining structures What distinguishes temporary works from other construction activities is that they are engineered structures in their own right. They must be designed to carry specific loads, erected to a defined specification, and inspected and maintained throughout their working life. The consequences of temporary works failure are severe. Formwork collapses, scaffold failures, and trench collapses are among the most common causes of fatalities on Irish construction sites. The HSA's accident statistics consistently show that falls from height and being struck by a collapsing structure account for a disproportionate share of construction fatalities. --- ## The Legal Framework for Temporary Works in Ireland The primary legal framework for temporary works in Ireland is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. These regulations impose obligations on the PSDP, the PSCS, and individual contractors in relation to the design, erection, and inspection of temporary works. Key provisions include: The PSDP must consider temporary works hazards during the design stage and include relevant information in the Pre-Construction Health and Safety Plan. Where the permanent works design creates particular challenges for temporary works (for example, an unusual structural form that requires complex falsework), this should be flagged at the design stage. The PSCS must ensure that the Construction Phase Plan addresses the management of temporary works on the project. This includes the arrangements for design, erection, inspection, and removal of temporary works. Individual contractors are responsible for ensuring that the temporary works they erect are designed, erected, and maintained safely. Where temporary works are designed by a specialist (such as a scaffold designer or formwork engineer), the contractor must ensure that the design is followed during erection. --- ## The Role of the Temporary Works Coordinator The Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is a role that has been formalised in British Standard BS 5975:2019, which provides guidance on the management of temporary works. While BS 5975 is a British standard rather than an Irish legal requirement, it is widely used in Ireland as a framework for managing temporary works, and the HSA has referenced it in its guidance. The TWC is responsible for coordinating the design, erection, use, and dismantling of temporary works on a construction project. Their duties include: **Maintaining a temporary works register.** The TWC keeps a register of all temporary works on the project, including the design reference, the design approval status, the erection date, the inspection records, and the planned removal date. This register provides a complete audit trail for all temporary works on the project. **Ensuring that temporary works are designed by a competent person.** For significant temporary works (complex scaffolding, formwork for large concrete pours, temporary propping of existing structures), a formal design by a structural engineer or specialist designer is required. The TWC ensures that this design is obtained and that it is appropriate for the loads and conditions on the project. **Checking that temporary works are erected in accordance with the design.** The TWC checks that the temporary works have been erected as designed before they are put into use. This is particularly important for formwork and falsework, where deviations from the design can have catastrophic consequences. **Ensuring that temporary works are inspected at the required intervals.** Scaffolding must be inspected at least every seven days and after any event that may have affected its stability (such as a storm or an impact from plant). Formwork and falsework must be inspected before each concrete pour. The TWC ensures that these inspections are carried out and recorded. **Managing the removal of temporary works.** The TWC ensures that temporary works are not removed before it is safe to do so. For formwork and falsework, this means ensuring that the concrete has achieved sufficient strength before the support is struck. For temporary propping, it means ensuring that the permanent structure can carry the loads before the props are removed. --- ## Common Failures in Temporary Works Management In my experience working with construction companies across Leinster, the most common failures in temporary works management are: **No formal design for significant temporary works.** Many contractors erect complex scaffolding or formwork systems without obtaining a formal design. This is particularly common for non-standard scaffold configurations, such as scaffolding on sloping ground, scaffolding supporting heavy loads, or scaffolding in exposed locations. Without a design, there is no basis for checking that the structure is adequate for the loads it will carry. **Deviations from the design during erection.** Even where a design has been obtained, deviations during erection are common. A scaffold that has been modified to suit site conditions without reference back to the designer may no longer be adequate for the intended loads. **Inadequate inspection records.** Scaffolding inspection records are a legal requirement under the Construction Regulations 2013. Yet on many sites, inspections are either not carried out at the required frequency or the records are incomplete or missing. **Premature striking of formwork.** Striking formwork before the concrete has achieved sufficient strength is a significant risk. The decision to strike formwork should be based on concrete strength testing or, where testing is not carried out, on a conservative assessment of the time required for the concrete to achieve sufficient strength given the ambient temperature. **No system for managing changes to temporary works.** Temporary works are often modified during the course of a project as conditions change. Without a formal change management process, modifications may be made without proper assessment of their implications. --- ## Scaffolding: A Special Case Scaffolding is the most common form of temporary works on Irish construction sites, and it deserves particular attention. The Construction Regulations 2013 impose specific requirements for scaffolding, including: Scaffolding must be erected, altered, and dismantled by competent persons. In practice, this means scaffolders who hold a recognised scaffolding qualification, such as the CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) card. Scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person at least every seven days and after any event that may have affected its stability. The inspection must be recorded on a scaffold inspection form (the GA1 form in Ireland), and the record must be kept for at least three months. A handover certificate (the GA2 form) must be issued when the scaffold is handed over to the user. This confirms that the scaffold has been erected to the required standard and is safe to use. Where scaffolding is designed to carry loads beyond those for which a standard scaffold would be adequate (for example, heavy materials storage or a loading bay), a formal design by a structural engineer is required. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is a Temporary Works Coordinator legally required on all Irish construction sites?** There is no specific legal requirement in Irish law to appoint a Temporary Works Coordinator. However, the obligation to manage temporary works safely, which flows from the Construction Regulations 2013 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, implies the need for a competent person to coordinate this function on projects involving significant temporary works. **What qualifications should a Temporary Works Coordinator have?** BS 5975:2019 recommends that the TWC should be a competent person with relevant engineering knowledge and experience. In practice, this typically means a structural engineer or an experienced construction professional with specific training in temporary works management. The CIF (Construction Industry Federation) and Engineers Ireland both offer training courses for Temporary Works Coordinators. **Does every scaffold need a formal design?** Standard scaffolding erected to the specifications in TG20 (the scaffolding guidance published by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) does not require a separate design. However, non-standard scaffolding, scaffolding in exposed locations, scaffolding supporting heavy loads, and scaffolding on complex structures all require a formal design by a competent engineer. **How long must scaffold inspection records be kept?** Scaffold inspection records must be kept for at least three months from the date of the inspection. **What is the GA1 form?** The GA1 form is the standard scaffold inspection record used in Ireland. It is completed by the competent person who carries out the weekly scaffold inspection and records the condition of the scaffold, any defects found, and any remedial action taken. --- ## How Safety Check Can Help At Safety Check, we provide temporary works coordination services for construction projects across Leinster. We work with contractors to establish and maintain temporary works registers, ensure that designs are obtained for significant temporary works, and carry out or coordinate the required inspections. We also provide PSCS support services, which include oversight of temporary works management as part of the Construction Phase Plan. If you would like to discuss temporary works management on your project, [contact us today](/contact). --- ## Related Articles - [Temporary Works in Ireland: A Guide for Construction Contractors](/guides/temporary-works-ireland-construction) - [Scaffolding Safety in Ireland: What Contractors Must Know](/guides/scaffold-safety-ireland-construction) - [Construction Site Safety Inspection Guide](/guides/construction-site-safety-inspection-guide)