Temporary works register
Props and needles for a new opening, trench support, scaffold, formwork and hoarding are all temporary works, and their failure can bring a building down. List every item, its design category and its permits in one register.
What the law says
CDM 2015 regulation 19 requires all practicable steps to prevent danger from a structure becoming unstable during the work, including from temporary works. HSE expects temporary works to be managed with the procedures in BS 5975, scaled to the risk: formal procedures on larger or higher-risk jobs, and at least the same principles on small jobs.
That means a temporary works coordinator (TWC) who makes sure each item is designed, checked, erected as designed and inspected, with a permit to load before it takes load and a permit to strike before it is removed. HSE describes a temporary works register as useful on any project.
What counts as temporary works?
Anything put in to support or protect the permanent works or the site while they are being built: props and needles, trench support, scaffolds, formwork and falsework, edge protection, hoarding and crane bases.
Do small jobs need a temporary works coordinator?
HSE expects the level of formality to match the risk, not the size of the job. On a small job the contractor can act as coordinator, but someone must still take responsibility for each item and check it before it is loaded and before it is struck.
What are the design check categories?
BS 5975 uses categories 0 to 3. Category 0 checks that a standard solution suits the site; category 1 is a simple design checked by another member of the design team; category 2 is checked by someone not involved in the design; category 3 is checked by a separate organisation.
Checked against HSE guidance on the management of temporary works and legislation.gov.uk (CDM 2015, regulation 19) on 31 October 2026. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.