BS 5975:2024 Compliance: What UK Contractors Need From Their Temporary Works Engineering Firm in 2026

The 2024 edition of BS 5975 represents the most significant update to the UK’s temporary works management standard in over a decade. For contractors working in 2026, the question is no longer whether to take it seriously — it’s whether the engineering firm you’re working with is genuinely set up to support compliance with it.

This article covers the key duty holder requirements under BS 5975:2024, what your temporary works engineering firm should be delivering, and how to assess whether they’re the right fit for your project.

What Changed With BS 5975:2024

The standard is now published in two parts: BS 5975-1:2024 covers the management procedures for the control of temporary works, and BS 5975-2:2024 covers falsework — its design, specification, construction, use and dismantling. Together they replace the previous single-document BS 5975:2019, which was withdrawn in December 2024, and they reflect how temporary works management has developed on modern construction projects.

The 2024 edition places greater emphasis on defined duty holder roles, documented procedures, and the integration of temporary works management into the broader construction phase plan. It also tightens expectations around design checking, permit systems, and the competency of those appointed to manage and coordinate temporary works on site.

For contractors, that translates to more documentation, more accountability, and more exposure if the right processes aren’t in place.

The Three Duty Holder Roles You Need to Understand

BS 5975:2024 defines clear roles that must be assigned on any project involving temporary works. Getting these right is foundational.

Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC)

The TWC manages the temporary works process on site. They maintain the temporary works register, oversee the permit system, and act as the link between the designer and the site team. The standard requires this person to be competent — not just available.

Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)

The TWS is responsible for the physical checking and supervision of temporary works on site. Working under the TWC, they ensure that temporary works are erected, used, and struck in accordance with the approved design. It’s a practical, site-facing role.

Temporary Works Designer

The designer produces the calculations, drawings, and specifications that define how the temporary works are to be built and used. Under BS 5975:2024, the designer must also confirm that their design has been independently checked, and that any assumptions about site conditions or loading have been clearly communicated to the TWC.

On projects involving temporary works, all three sets of responsibilities need to be assigned. On smaller schemes, one person may hold more than one role — but the responsibilities themselves cannot be merged or ignored.

What Written Procedures Must Cover

BS 5975:2024 requires contractors to have written procedures for managing temporary works. These aren’t optional, and they need to be specific to the project — not generic policy documents pulled from a folder.

Your procedures should address:

• How temporary works are identified, categorised, and registered
• How designers are appointed and their competency assessed
• How designs are checked and approved before work begins
• How permits to load, alter, or strike are issued and controlled
• How design changes are managed during construction
• How the temporary works register is maintained and closed out

If your current procedures don’t cover all of these areas, they’re unlikely to hold up under a thorough review against the 2024 standard.

The Temporary Works Register

The register is the central document tracking every item of temporary works on a project. It should record, for each item, the design reference, checking status, permit status, and the date of removal or striking.

A well-maintained register is one of the clearest signs that a contractor is managing temporary works properly. It also provides an audit trail if something goes wrong.

Your engineering firm should supply designs in a format that integrates directly with your register — with clear document references and revision control built in from the outset.

Permit to Load, Permit to Alter, Permit to Strike

The permit system is one of the most practically important elements of BS 5975:2024. Before temporary works are loaded, altered, or struck, a formal check must be completed and authorised.

This isn’t a bureaucratic formality. Permit failures are a recognised factor in temporary works incidents. The system exists to ensure that someone with the right knowledge has confirmed the works are in the correct condition before a potentially hazardous operation takes place.

Your engineering firm should produce designs that clearly state the permit conditions — including the loads the structure is designed to carry, any restrictions on use, and the sequence for striking. Without that information in the design pack, the permit system can’t function as intended.

How to Vet a Temporary Works Engineering Firm in 2026

Not every firm offering temporary works design is set up to support BS 5975:2024 compliance. Here’s a practical checklist for assessing whether a firm is the right fit.

Competency and qualifications

Ask for the lead engineer’s qualifications and relevant experience. For a firm providing design and technical support, you should expect a chartered engineer with specific temporary works experience. At Temporary Works Consulting & Design Ltd, designs are led by David J. Miller MSc CEng MICE, Chartered Civil Engineer and Temporary Works Consultant.

Independent design checking

BS 5975:2024 requires designs to be independently checked. Ask the firm how they manage this — who carries out the check, and how is it documented?

Design pack completeness

A compliant design pack should include calculations, drawings, a design basis statement, loading assumptions, and permit conditions. Ask to see an example of what you’ll receive before appointing anyone.

RAMS and permit support

Can the firm review your RAMS against the design? Can they support the TWC in setting up the permit system? These aren’t extras — they’re part of what a competent firm should offer as standard.

Availability and communication

Temporary works issues rarely arrive at convenient times. A single point of contact who manages the process from initial query through to a fully documented, issue-ready design pack is significantly more reliable than a firm where you’re passed between departments.

Remote audit capability

For contractors managing multiple sites, the ability to carry out remote site safety audits is increasingly useful. It allows issues to be identified and resolved without waiting for a physical visit.

Where Temporary Works Consulting & Design Ltd Fits

Temporary Works Consulting & Design Ltd provides contractors with end-to-end temporary works design and technical support. The service covers calculations, drawings, RAMS reviews, BS 5975:2024 compliance support, and permit support — all managed through a single point of contact.

The firm also offers mentoring for temporary works coordinators and supervisors, and remote site safety audits. For contractors who need to build internal competency alongside project delivery, that combination of design support and mentoring offers a practical way to strengthen both at once.

Conclusion

BS 5975:2024 raises the bar for temporary works management, and contractors in 2026 need engineering firms that are genuinely equipped to work within it. That means competent designers, independently checked design packs, clear permit conditions, and a responsive, well-documented service that holds up under scrutiny.

If your current firm can’t demonstrate all of that, it’s worth reviewing the arrangement before your next project gets under way.

FAQs

What is BS 5975:2024 and why does it matter for contractors?

BS 5975:2024 is the UK standard for the management and design of temporary works. It sets out the duty holder roles, procedures, and documentation that contractors must have in place on construction projects involving temporary works. Failing to follow it creates both legal and safety risk.

What are the two parts of BS 5975:2024?

BS 5975-1:2024 covers the management of temporary works, including duty holder roles and written procedures. BS 5975-2:2024 covers falsework design and implementation. Both parts apply to most construction projects involving temporary works.

Who is responsible for temporary works compliance on a construction project?

Responsibility is shared between the principal contractor, the temporary works coordinator, the temporary works supervisor, and the designer. The principal contractor is ultimately accountable for ensuring the right people are appointed and the right processes are followed.

What should a compliant temporary works design pack include?

A compliant pack should include structural calculations, drawings, a design basis statement, loading assumptions, permit conditions, and evidence of independent design checking. It should be specific to the project and ready to issue without further work.

Does using an external temporary works engineering firm satisfy the designer duty holder requirement?

Yes, provided the firm is competent and the appointment is properly documented. The firm must produce a checked design and communicate all assumptions and permit conditions clearly to the TWC.

What is the difference between a permit to load and a permit to strike?

A permit to load authorises the application of loads to a temporary works structure after confirming it has been erected correctly. A permit to strike authorises the removal of temporary works after confirming that the permanent structure is ready to take the load. Both require a formal check and authorisation before the operation proceeds.

How can a temporary works engineering firm support our TWC and TWS?

A firm can support your TWC and TWS by producing clear, well-documented designs, reviewing RAMS, advising on permit conditions, carrying out remote site safety audits, and providing mentoring to build competency within your team.