Temporary Works Coordinator: All You Need to Know
The role of a Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) is crucial for the construction industry, and the TWC course provides the necessary procedural framework to ensure temporary works are both safe, and fully functional. In today’s blog, we’ll be breaking down all you need to know about this course.
The Role of a Temporary Works Coordinator
The TWC is a central figure on any construction site where temporary works are in use, or are going to be in use. Their job is to oversee all aspects of these structures, ensuring they’re managed in as safe a manner as possible. They’ll coordinate with designers, contractors, subcontractors, and also temporary works supervisors in order to ensure that every party is on the same page.
The Purpose of the Temporary Works Coordinator Course
The course allows you to develop, and formalise, your knowledge in this area. It covers a structured, nationally recognised process for managing temporary works.
Ultimately, the course is designed to instill a culture of safety and due diligence on sites where temporary works are going to be installed. And that all starts with the Coordinator, which is why the course is so important.
Why the TWC Role is Critical for Site Safety
The TWC role is critical for site safety because temporary works are often high-risk and are not permanent structures. A failure in a temporary works system, such as scaffolding or a trench support, can lead to catastrophic accidents. The TWC is a crucial safeguard against this. They ensure that a systematic approach is taken to every temporary structure, from its initial planning through to its dismantling. The TWC is responsible for ensuring that all temporary works are designed by a competent person, checked by a competent person, and erected according to the approved design. This meticulous approach to safety is what makes the TWC role so indispensable.
The Temporary Works Coordinator: A Legal and Moral Duty
While there’s no specific law that mandates the appointment of a TWC, a range of existing legislation places clear duties on duty holders to manage temporary works. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, in particular, place a duty on the principal contractor to plan, manage, and monitor all temporary works. The TWC helps a company to meet these legal duties by providing a clear procedural framework for managing temporary works.
The role is also a moral one. The TWC has a duty of care to the workforce, and is responsible for ensuring that every temporary structure is safe to use. This combination of legal and moral duty is what makes the TWC role so important.
What to Expect from the Course
The course is a comprehensive, two-day training programme. It’s designed to be highly interactive and engaging, with a mix of presentations, group discussions, and case studies. The course is structured to provide a thorough understanding of a TWC’s responsibilities, covering topics such as the legal framework, the procedural controls from BS 5975, risk management, and effective communication.
The course is led by a qualified tutor who has extensive experience in the construction industry. It’s a focused, intensive learning experience, providing a professional with the knowledge they need to succeed in the role.
Key Responsibilities of a TWC
The TWC has a wide range of key responsibilities that are covered in the course. These include:
- Appointing a competent Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS): The TWC is responsible for ensuring that the person who is overseeing the temporary works on the ground is competent, and has the necessary skills.
- Ensuring a design brief is prepared: The TWC is responsible for ensuring that a clear and detailed design brief is prepared for all temporary works.
- Maintaining a Temporary Works Register: The TWC is responsible for maintaining a register of all temporary works on site, which is a crucial document for site safety.
- Issuing permits to load and permits to dismantle: The TWC is responsible for issuing permits to load and permits to dismantle, which are a final check on the safety of the structure before it’s used or removed.
- Ensuring that all parties are communicating effectively: The TWC is responsible for ensuring that all parties are communicating effectively, and that any changes to the design are formally approved.
Course Content: What You’ll Learn
The course is a comprehensive, focused training programme that provides a person with the knowledge they need to succeed in the TWC role. Key topics covered in the course include:
- The Legal Framework and Responsibilities: A detailed overview of a TWC’s legal and moral responsibilities under health and safety legislation.
- The Procedural Controls from BS 5975: A practical guide to the procedural controls outlined in the British Standard for temporary works.
- Risk Management and Hazard Identification: How to identify the risks associated with temporary works and how to implement effective control measures to mitigate them.
- The Role of a TWS: How to work with a Temporary Works Supervisor to ensure that all temporary works are managed safely and effectively.
How the TWC Manages Risk
The TWC’s primary role is risk management. The course provides a deep understanding of the hazards associated with temporary works, such as structural instability, inadequate foundations, and incorrect loading. It teaches participants how to identify these risks and how to implement effective control measures.
The TWC is responsible for ensuring that all temporary works have a suitable design brief and that the design is checked by a competent person. They are also responsible for issuing permits to load and permits to dismantle, acting as a final check on the safety of the structure before it’s used or removed.
The Temporary Works Coordinator and Its Place in the CDM Regulations
The Temporary Works Coordinator course provides a detailed breakdown of how the CDM Regulations 2015 apply to temporary structures. The CDM Regulations place a duty on the principal contractor to plan, manage, and monitor all temporary works.
Career Progression After Becoming a TWC
The qualification is a mark of a person’s competence and professionalism, and it can lead to a more senior management role, a higher salary, and the opportunity to work on more complex projects. The qualification is a clear signal to employers that you are serious about your development, and that you’re a competent and reliable professional. It can be a great stepping stone to a project manager role or a more senior position.
How Long Does the TWC Qualification Last?
The TWC qualification is valid for five years. To renew it, a person must take a one-day refresher course before their certificate expires. It’s crucial to book and complete this refresher course before the expiry date, as a lapsed certificate will require you to retake the full TWC course. The refresher course is designed to keep your knowledge up to date with any new regulations or industry best practices. It’s a time-efficient way to ensure that your qualification remains valid, and that you can continue to work as a competent TWC.
The Temporary Works Coordinator: An Essential Skill for Employers
Employers place a high value on the qualification because it reduces their legal liability, and ensures compliance with regulations. A trained TWC is a key asset who can reduce the risk of accidents, improve productivity, and ensure a high standard of work. It’s a strategic investment in a company’s safety culture, and a sign that a company is committed to a proactive approach to risk management.
Common Challenges and Solutions for a TWC
The role of a TWC is not without its challenges. Common issues include managing unapproved design changes, dealing with poor communication from designers, and ensuring that all site workers understand the importance of temporary works procedures. The TWC course provides a person with the tools and procedural knowledge to overcome these challenges, ensuring that they can maintain control and safety on site. The course teaches a TWC how to use their authority to stop work if they feel it’s unsafe, a critical power for a role that is focused on risk mitigation.
The Temporary Works Coordinator: A Key to a Safer Site
The TWC is a key to a safer site. They are a crucial part of a company’s safety ecosystem, ensuring that all temporary works are managed systematically and safely. The TWC is the person who ensures that a temporary structure is fit for purpose, and that it’s used and dismantled safely. They are a crucial safeguard against structural failure and a key to a more compliant, and more productive site.
Conclusion (Temporary Works Coordinator: All You Need to Know)
The course is a vital and mandatory qualification that provides a person with the procedural framework and knowledge to manage temporary works effectively. It‘s a strategic investment that benefits a person’s career and their company’s safety.
The TWC qualification is a mark of a person’s competence and professionalism, and it’s a crucial step in a person’s career.
If you still have any questions regarding the course, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
