Temporary Works Coordinator vs Temporary Works Supervisor: What’s the Difference?

Temporary works are a routine part of construction, but the fact that they are temporary does not make them less important than the permanent structure being built.

Scaffolding, excavation support, propping, falsework, working platforms, haul roads, hoardings and temporary support systems can all form part of a project’s temporary works. If these systems are not properly planned, designed, installed, checked and managed, the consequences can be serious.

Two roles commonly associated with managing temporary works are the Temporary Works Coordinator, often shortened to TWC, and the Temporary Works Supervisor, or TWS.

Although the titles sound similar, they have different responsibilities.

In simple terms, the Temporary Works Coordinator has responsibility for co-ordinating the temporary works process, while the Temporary Works Supervisor supports that process by supervising temporary works activities on site within the responsibilities delegated to them.

The exact arrangements will depend on the project, the organisation’s temporary works procedures and the complexity of the work.

In this guide, The Building Safety Group explains the difference between a Temporary Works Coordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor, what each role involves and which training may be suitable for people undertaking these responsibilities.

 

What are temporary works?

 

Temporary works are engineered solutions that support or enable construction work rather than normally forming part of the completed structure.

The Health and Safety Executive, or HSE, describes temporary works as solutions used to support or protect a structure during construction, support plant or equipment, support the sides of excavations or provide access.

Examples can include:

• Excavation supports
• Shoring
• Propping to walls and floors
• Falsework
• Formwork
• Access scaffolding
• Working platforms
• Haul roads
• Temporary earthworks
• Cofferdams
• Hoardings
• Site fencing
• Temporary site buildings
• Temporary support during demolition or alteration
• Permanent works temporarily used during construction

Temporary works can range from relatively simple arrangements to highly complex engineered structures.

Whatever their scale, they need to be properly managed.

HSE states that temporary structures must be designed, installed and maintained so they can withstand foreseeable loads and must only be used for the purposes for which they were designed, installed and maintained.

This is where effective co-ordination and supervision become important.

 

What is a Temporary Works Coordinator?

 

A Temporary Works Coordinator is commonly appointed to manage and co-ordinate the temporary works process.

HSE describes appointing a TWC as an effective way of managing temporary works, particularly to make sure suitable designs are prepared, checked and correctly erected on site. It also states that the TWC should have sufficient authority to carry out the role, including the ability to stop work where arrangements are not satisfactory.

The role is not simply about inspecting temporary structures once they have been built.

A TWC may be involved throughout the temporary works process, from identifying what is required through to design, checking, installation, use and eventual removal.

Someone taking on this responsibility may benefit from our CITB temporary works coordinator course, which is designed for those who have responsibility for managing temporary works on site.

The course focuses on the co-ordination process and the responsibilities associated with the TWC role. BSG’s course is currently delivered over two days.

 

What is a Temporary Works Supervisor?

 

A Temporary Works Supervisor supports the management of temporary works by supervising activities on site.

The TWS usually works within responsibilities allocated through the temporary works management process rather than taking overall responsibility for co-ordinating the system.

This can involve monitoring temporary works as they are erected, used, altered or dismantled and making sure agreed requirements are being followed.

The supervisor may also be involved with inspections or checks, hold points, load restrictions and communication between site personnel and the TWC depending on the organisation’s procedures and the work being undertaken.

Our CITB temporary works supervisor course is a one-day programme focused on supervising temporary works and understanding how the TWS role fits within the wider temporary works management process.

 

What is the main difference between a Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor?

 

The key difference is co-ordination versus supervision.

The Temporary Works Coordinator has a broader role in making sure the temporary works process is properly managed and co-ordinated.

The Temporary Works Supervisor has a more site-focused supervisory role and carries out duties allocated to them within that process.

A simple way to think about the difference is:

Temporary Works Coordinator:
Co-ordinates the overall temporary works process.

Temporary Works Supervisor:
Supervises temporary works activities and checks that agreed arrangements are followed within their delegated responsibilities.

This does not mean the TWC personally designs every temporary structure or that the TWS is simply watching work take place.

Both roles rely on clear procedures, communication and an understanding of how temporary works are controlled.

 

Temporary Works Coordinator vs Supervisor at a glance

 

	Temporary Works Coordinator	Temporary Works Supervisor
Common abbreviation	TWC	TWS
Primary role	Co-ordinating temporary works	Supervising temporary works
Typical focus	Overall temporary works management process	Site implementation and supervision
BSG CITB course duration	Two days	One day
Manages design process?	Helps co-ordinate design and checking arrangements	Usually works to agreed designs and instructions
Supervises site activities?	May do so as part of the wider role	Yes, this is a key focus
Can training alone establish competence?	No	No
CITB certificate validity	Five years	Five years

 

CITB currently states that its Temporary Works Coordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor course certificates are valid for five years.

 

What does a Temporary Works Coordinator do?

 

The precise responsibilities of a TWC will depend on the organisation and project.

However, the role generally involves maintaining control of the temporary works process rather than dealing with only one stage.

A TWC may be responsible for activities such as:

• Co-ordinating temporary works requirements
• Making sure temporary works are identified
• Maintaining appropriate temporary works records
• Making sure responsibilities are allocated
• Helping to make sure suitable design briefs are prepared
• Making sure temporary works designs are produced where required
• Making sure designs receive an appropriate level of checking
• Communicating design information to those responsible for the work
• Making sure inspections and checks take place at suitable stages
• Controlling changes to temporary works
• Making sure hold points are observed
• Confirming that appropriate permission is given before loading or use
• Helping to make sure temporary works are maintained while in use
• Co-ordinating their safe dismantling or removal

HSE explains that co-ordinating temporary works is wider than simply carrying out the engineering design. It includes planning where and when temporary works are needed and making sure they are correctly installed, used, checked and maintained.

This distinction is important because a structural engineer who designs a temporary works solution does not automatically become the project’s TWC.

 

What does a Temporary Works Supervisor do?

 

The TWS works within the temporary works management arrangements established for the project.

Responsibilities can vary significantly depending on what has been delegated, but may include:

• Supervising temporary works installation
• Checking that work follows approved drawings and specifications
• Monitoring agreed methods of work
• Making sure relevant restrictions are understood
• Carrying out or assisting with appropriate checks
• Monitoring temporary works while they are in use
• Reporting defects or unauthorised changes
• Checking that hold points are respected
• Communicating problems to the TWC
• Helping control alterations
• Supervising dismantling where appropriate
• Making sure personnel involved understand relevant instructions

BSG’s TWS training specifically covers areas including design briefs, approved drawings, specifications, risk assessments, method statements, different levels of temporary works risk, delegated responsibilities, inspections, checks, hold points, load capacities and permissions.

The role therefore involves much more than checking whether temporary works look satisfactory.

The TWS needs to understand the approved arrangements and recognise when something differs from what has been planned.

 

Does every Temporary Works Coordinator need a Temporary Works Supervisor?

 

Not necessarily.

The structure used to manage temporary works should reflect the scale, complexity and needs of the project.

On some projects, several Temporary Works Supervisors may be appointed to support one TWC. This could be appropriate where a project is large, where temporary works are spread across different areas or where separate teams need local supervision.

On a smaller or relatively straightforward project, the arrangements may be simpler.

HSE states that there is no specific legal requirement to use the job title Temporary Works Coordinator or to adopt one particular temporary works management structure. It also explains that relatively simple temporary works may sometimes be managed without formally appointing a TWC, provided the temporary works are still properly managed and risks are controlled.

The same principle means businesses should not appoint roles simply to create job titles.

The management arrangements need to work in practice and the people carrying out the duties need to be suitable for the responsibilities given to them.

 

Is a Temporary Works Coordinator legally required?

 

There is not a general legal requirement stating that every construction project must have somebody with the specific job title Temporary Works Coordinator.

HSE explains that BS 5975 provides an established method for managing temporary works and uses the TWC role as part of that process. However, HSE also states that there is no legal requirement to use that particular job title or the exact process described by the standard.

The legal duties are broader.

Temporary works must still be properly designed, installed, maintained and used safely. Construction activities must also be planned and managed so they do not expose workers or members of the public to unacceptable risks.

Appointing a competent TWC is widely used as a practical method for controlling this process.

HSE describes the appointment of a TWC as an effective way to make sure suitable temporary works designs are prepared, checked and correctly erected on site.

 

Is a Temporary Works Supervisor legally required?

 

Again, the law does not simply state that every project must appoint someone with the title Temporary Works Supervisor.

Whether a TWS is appointed will depend on the temporary works management system being used and the needs of the project.

Where the role is used, it provides a clear way of assigning responsibility for supervising temporary works activities and reporting back through the established management process.

For larger projects or projects involving several temporary works activities, delegating appropriate supervisory responsibilities can help make sure the TWC maintains effective control without having to personally supervise every activity.

The key requirement is that temporary works are managed safely and that responsibilities are clear.

 

What is BS 5975?

 

BS 5975 is the British Standard associated with the management and design of temporary works.

The standard was significantly revised in 2024. BSI states that the previous standard was divided into two parts:

• BS 5975-1:2024, covering management procedures for the control of temporary works
• BS 5975-2:2024, covering the design and implementation of falsework

BSI explains that Part 1 provides guidance on procedural controls to help make sure temporary works are conceived, designed, specified, constructed, used and dismantled in a controlled manner.

CITB’s current Temporary Works Supervisor course also refers to BS 5975:2024 when explaining the management process and the position of the TWS within it.

The standard is particularly relevant because it provides a recognised framework businesses can use to organise temporary works responsibilities.

 

Does the Temporary Works Coordinator design temporary works?

 

Not necessarily.

One of the most common misunderstandings about the role is that the Temporary Works Coordinator must personally design all temporary works.

The TWC is responsible for co-ordinating the process. The actual design may be completed by a suitably competent temporary works designer.

HSE explains that obtaining a design from a structural engineer does not automatically make that engineer the TWC. The co-ordination role is broader and includes planning, installation, checking, use and maintenance.

This separation can be important on complex projects where different specialists are involved.

For example, a project might involve:

• A TWC co-ordinating the overall process
• A designer preparing the temporary works design
• An independent person checking the design where required
• A TWS supervising installation
• A specialist contractor erecting the system
• Site personnel carrying out the work supported by the temporary structure

Everyone needs to understand where their responsibility begins and ends.

 

Is the Temporary Works Supervisor responsible for the design?

 

The TWS would not normally be responsible for producing the engineering design simply by virtue of holding the supervisor role.

Instead, a key part of supervision is making sure that temporary works on site are implemented in accordance with approved information.

That means the TWS may need to understand drawings, specifications, restrictions and method statements sufficiently to identify when the site arrangement does not match what has been agreed.

If a change becomes necessary, it should be dealt with through the appropriate temporary works process rather than improvised on site.

This is particularly important because what appears to be a minor change can affect loading, stability or the behaviour of the temporary works.

Good supervision therefore includes knowing when work should stop and when a proposed change needs to be referred back to the TWC or other appropriate person.

 

Who has more responsibility, the TWC or TWS?

 

The TWC normally has broader responsibility within the temporary works management process.

The TWS usually has responsibilities delegated by or through that process and focuses more closely on site supervision.

This is one reason why the CITB TWC course is two days while the TWS course is one day. CITB describes the TWC programme as intended for people responsible for managing all forms of temporary works, while the TWS programme is intended for people with responsibility for supervising them.

However, this should not be interpreted as meaning that the TWS role is unimportant.

Supervision is a critical point in the process because even a suitable design can be undermined if the system is installed incorrectly, changed without approval, overloaded or used in a way that was not intended.

Both roles contribute to effective temporary works management.

 

Can the same person be TWC and TWS?

 

On some projects, one person may potentially carry out more than one temporary works role if the organisation’s procedures allow it and the individual has sufficient competence, authority and capacity to perform the duties properly.

However, combining roles should not be treated simply as a way to reduce personnel.

The organisation needs to consider:

• The complexity of the temporary works
• The number of temporary works schemes
• The size of the project
• The person’s workload
• Their knowledge and experience
• Whether adequate supervision can realistically be maintained
• Whether checks need independence
• The organisation’s own temporary works procedures

On a substantial project with temporary works taking place in several areas at once, expecting one person to co-ordinate the entire process and directly supervise every activity may be impractical.

Clear allocation of responsibilities is more important than reducing the number of named roles.

 

Does completing a TWC course make someone competent?

 

No.

This is an important point for employers.

CITB explicitly states that attendance on its Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course does not by itself demonstrate competence as a TWC. Competence comes from an appropriate combination of education, training and experience and should be assessed by a suitable senior person within the organisation.

BSG makes the same point on our TWC course page. Completing the course gives delegates important knowledge of the role, but training alone does not make someone competent to undertake every temporary works coordination responsibility.

This matters because temporary works vary enormously.

Someone who is suitable to co-ordinate straightforward temporary works on one project may not necessarily have the knowledge and experience needed for a highly complex engineering project.

Appointments should reflect the work involved.

 

Does completing a TWS course make someone competent?

 

The same principle applies to Temporary Works Supervisors.

CITB states that attendance on the TWS course does not by itself demonstrate competence. Appropriate education, training and experience need to be considered together.

BSG also makes clear that course attendance alone does not confer competence as a TWS.

Employers should therefore avoid treating a certificate as the only evidence required before allocating significant temporary works responsibilities.

Training is important, but it should form part of a wider assessment.

 

How long do Temporary Works Coordinator and Supervisor certificates last?

 

CITB currently states that both the Temporary Works Co-ordinator Training Course and Temporary Works Supervisor Training Course certifications are valid for five years.

For Temporary Works Coordinators, CITB currently offers a one-day refresher route for eligible certificate holders before expiry.

Employers should maintain clear training records and monitor expiry dates so that suitable training or refresher courses can be arranged in good time.

 

Which course should I choose?

 

The right course depends primarily on the responsibilities you hold or are preparing to take on.

You should consider Temporary Works Coordinator training if you will be responsible for co-ordinating and managing the temporary works process.

This may include making sure designs and checks are arranged, responsibilities are allocated, records are maintained, appropriate information reaches site teams and temporary works are properly controlled throughout their lifecycle.

You should consider Temporary Works Supervisor training if your role is primarily about supervising temporary works activities on site.

This may include monitoring installation, checking work against agreed information, managing delegated inspection or hold-point responsibilities and reporting problems through the temporary works process.

Job title alone should not determine the course.

A site manager may act as a TWC on one project but not another. A site supervisor may be appointed as a TWS where their experience and responsibilities make this appropriate.

Businesses should consider the duties the person will actually perform.

 

Temporary Works Coordinator vs Supervisor: which role does your project need?

 

There is no single temporary works structure suitable for every project.

A small project involving straightforward temporary works may require relatively simple management arrangements. A complex project involving several temporary structures, design organisations and contractors may require a TWC supported by several supervisors and specialist personnel.

What matters is that:

• Temporary works are identified
• Responsibilities are clearly allocated
• Designs are prepared where required
• Designs receive suitable checking
• Approved information reaches the people carrying out the work
• Temporary works are correctly installed
• Changes are properly controlled
• Inspections and checks take place
• Use is authorised where required
• Problems are reported and acted upon
• Temporary works remain suitable throughout their use
• Dismantling is properly managed

The TWC and TWS roles provide a recognised way of assigning responsibility for different parts of this process.

 

Book temporary works training with The Building Safety Group

 

Temporary works can be found on projects of every size and complexity. Their temporary nature should never lead to their risks being underestimated.

The Temporary Works Coordinator and Temporary Works Supervisor perform different but connected roles.

The TWC generally has the broader responsibility for co-ordinating the temporary works management process, while the TWS focuses on supervising temporary works activities and carrying out responsibilities allocated within that process.

Choosing the correct training should therefore start with understanding what the individual will actually be expected to do.

At The Building Safety Group, we provide CITB temporary works training alongside a wide range of construction health and safety courses.

Our two-day Temporary Works Co-ordinator course is designed for people responsible for managing temporary works, while our one-day Temporary Works Supervisor course is aimed at those responsible for their supervision.

You can view upcoming dates and book training courses through our website.

If you are unsure which temporary works course is most appropriate for you or your employees, get in touch with our team to discuss your training requirements.