Monticello On a previous Project that I was involved with the HSE insisted that we employed a Temporary Works Coordinator, and they referred us to BS 5975. The standard is very useful and section 7 specifically covers the appointment and responsibilities of both temporary works coordinators and temporary works supervisors. This would be a good starting point for you.

A Kurdziel The below is taken from the BS website. Also there is information on HSE websire re the fact that compliance with some BS (british standard and not the other kind of BS) is a legal requirement. Dont know whether this is applicable in this case though. "Standard means "something that is generally accepted". A British Standard Publication is a document that has been produced by the BSI as a technical specification or practice to be used as a guideline for the standard production of a product, or the carrying out of a process, such as testing or providing a service. British Standards are not generally used as law or to impose regulations; but are rather designed to be used voluntarily to help manufacturers, users and consumers. However, some laws or legal regulations do make compliance with a British or ISO standard compulsory."

So it’s down to the HSE inspectors to decide which standards apply? Some technical standards are essentially legal requirements eg some of the electrical stuff. Some are just advice and you are not really expected to comply for example the standard describing first aid. Every so often a supplier of first kits says: ”Oh! The BS for first aid has changed and so you must buy a whole set of new complaint first kits”, when all you need to do is to comply with the regs. Then we have this stuff in between, where it’s not clear if the standard is a legal requirement.

When I started my new role last year the company I joined had no knowledge of temporary works and the roles of a co-ordinator or supervisor. In-house, we do not have the expertise to act as a TWC so this is undertaken by an external structural engineer. All of our site managers attended a TWS course which suited our needs. In reality, the TW we come across is hoarding and the occasional scaffold and propping. I have seen since we did our course that the CITB now run TWC and TWS courses that will probably become the minimum requirement for the UKCG.

Quote=Russ pt]A Kurdziel, in reply. The project in question was a very large project on a COMAH top tier site. We had early and regular interventions with the CA along with the Construction Inspectors from the HSE (Field Operations Directorate). At the early interventions and meetings they raised the management of temporary works but not specifically the appointment of a TWC. This process was built into the construction phase plan and several months later on a site visit, when construction had began, it's operation was demonstrated on part of the project and they were satisfied. Sub-contractors were required to appoint a TWC or TWS and these would then liaise on a weekly basis with the work-stream lead for that part of the project, the work-stream leads in turn met regularly with the project manager, principal contractor, designers and each other. As the project activity progressed and the amount of temporary works and sub-contractors involved with temporary works increased they became more insistent on there being a single TWC liaising with the sub-contractors TWC/TWS. Whereas I agree it is a standard and not a requirement of legislation such as CDM, but it is recognised good practice and applying the standard demonstrates a level of control that satisfies the regulator. The Client for the project was also the PC and CDMC, albeit designated individuals, and so this may have played a part in their decision making?