In this article, Victor Lupusor, Ricardo Villamil and Shane Govender, three of several engineers at Whitfield Consulting Services (WCS) trained and appointed as Temporary Works Coordinators (TWCs), highlight a role that is often under-recognised but crucial for managing risk.
“Effective temporary works coordination is essential for delivering complex infrastructure projects safely, efficiently, and on schedule,” says Victor Lupusor, Senior Civil Engineer at WCS. “These works carry some of the highest risks on site. Well-managed temporary works can protect lives, save costs, and prevent programme delays; failures can lead to catastrophic accidents. Our job as TWCs is to make sure projects run smoothly and safely.”
The role of a Temporary Works Coordinator
TWCs are responsible for ensuring that temporary works – engineering structures that are required to facilitate the construction of permanent works but are not part of the final structure – are properly planned, designed, implemented, and monitored throughout the life of a project. This begins with a detailed understanding of the permanent works and the construction sequence, allowing the coordinator to identify what temporary measures are required and when.
“The key challenges for TWCs lie in balancing strict compliance with BS 5975 against the pressures of fast-moving projects,” says Victor. “We oversee high-risk works, ensuring designs are followed and risks controlled.”
TWCs add value to projects by:
- Minimising delays and keeping construction on schedule
- Providing full visibility and early warning of risks
- Ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety regulations
- Simplifying coordination across multiple stakeholders
“Coordinating designers, contractors, and site teams while keeping records and permits up to date demands clarity and foresight. Above all, the challenge is to safeguard people and projects through diligent oversight and strong leadership,” adds Victor.
Engineering judgement and risk management
While procedures, registers, and permits are essential, the TWC role relies heavily on engineering judgement.
“Engineering judgement on site is critical,” says Ricardo Villamil, Principal Civil Engineer at WCS. “Temporary works must not only be correctly designed but also installed exactly in accordance with the approved design.”
Ricardo recalls a recent example from a substation project involving a high-voltage pit excavation:
“During a review of the temporary works design – which had been produced by another company – I identified that the temporary works had not been installed in accordance with the approved design. This non-compliance was immediately raised with the client, as it presented a significant risk of structural instability, potential programme delays, and a serious health and safety hazard for personnel working within the excavation.”
Following the intervention, the works were corrected to align with the approved design.
“This action mitigated a major safety risk and prevented potential incidents and disruption to site activities,” Ricardo explains. “It reinforces the importance of site presence, proactive inspection, and clear communication.”
TWCs must consistently:
- Assess evolving site conditions
- Interpret design intent
- Make decisions affecting multiple stakeholders
- Plan ahead to manage risks and maintain compliance
“The role requires foresight and diligence, with every action contributing directly to safety and project success,” says Shane Govender, Principal Civil Engineer at WCS. “Key challenges include managing risk, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and maintaining compliance under tight project pressures.”
Being visible on site is key to the role. Regular engagement with construction teams allows potential issues to be identified early, before they become embedded in the programme or affect safety.
Learning from across the industry
Temporary works failures can have serious consequences. Such failures have been documented in various safety reports, including those from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) and the Temporary Works Forum (TwF). These organisations highlight incidents where poor temporary works design has resulted in safety breaches and accidents.
“The value of the role lies in the issues that never materialise and the incidents avoided through early intervention,” says Victor. “Temporary works carry real risks if not properly controlled. Our job is to anticipate issues, manage them proactively, and maintain a clear line of responsibility across the site.”
Read more from WCS: The risks of overlooking temporary works design and coordination in infrastructure projects
Pathways into the role
“I came into the role through my background in civil engineering, where I was frequently involved in projects requiring complex temporary works,” says Shane.
“Over time, I found myself acting as the link between designers, site teams, and contractors to support enabling works for the permanent construction. I enjoy being the bridge between design intent and site execution, ensuring compliance and clear communication. The role allows me to combine technical knowledge with leadership and problem-solving. I previously gained hands-on experience in risk management, coordination, and compliance before stepping into the formal role.”
Ricardo also highlights the developmental value of the role:
“The TWC role provides exposure beyond permanent works and demonstrates that successful delivery on site depends heavily on well-designed and well-managed temporary works. Without appropriate temporary works, permanent structures may not be buildable or safe to construct.”
The WCS approach
At WCS, temporary works coordination sits alongside permanent works design, giving our team a complete understanding of how structures are conceived, built, and supported.
This dual expertise allows:
- Better coordination across temporary and permanent works
- Improved construction sequencing and buildability
- More effective risk management across projects
By integrating design and coordination, WCS ensures that temporary works are planned to support future stages of delivery, improving safety, compliance, and programme certainty.
Get in touch today to discuss how our temporary works services can support your next project.
- Explore our infographics on specialist temporary works design for Power & Energy and Rail infrastructure projects.
- To read more about our services or view recent projects, visit our temporary works design and coordination service page.
