Unpacking BS 5975-1:2024- How will these changes affect you?

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has recently released BS 5975-1:2024, the latest update to the Code of Practice for Temporary Works Management Procedures and Control. This revised standard replaces the previous 2019 version and introduces several key changes aimed at improving safety, accountability, and procedural clarity in managing temporary works.

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What is BS 5975-1:2024?

BS 5975-1:2024 provides comprehensive guidance on the procedural controls required for managing temporary works within construction projects. Temporary works are critical structures that enable permanent construction activities to proceed safely; this can be anything from scaffolding and excavation supports to formwork and falsework.

The new 2024 revision aligns more closely with modern industry practices, emphasising improved communication, risk management, and compliance.

How is BS 5975-1:2024 different from BS 5975:2019?

The updated standard introduces several important changes and enhancements, including:

1. Improved Clarity on Roles and Responsibilities

• Expanded definitions for key roles, particularly the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS).
• Greater emphasis on the Principal Designer's role under CDM 2015 regulations, ensuring clear accountability for design risk management.
• Enhanced guidance for appointing competent persons to key roles, improving role allocation clarity.

2. Strengthened Risk Management Procedures

• Expanded guidance on risk assessments for temporary works, requiring clearer identification and documentation of potential hazards.
• Improved processes for reviewing designs and ensuring risk controls are effectively implemented.

3. Enhanced Emphasis on Communication

• Clearer requirements for briefings, handover processes, and records of design decisions.
• Greater focus on ensuring design intent is communicated effectively to those installing and managing temporary works.

4. Updated Design Checking Procedures

• Enhanced detail on design categories and corresponding checking procedures.
• Clearer guidance on what constitutes an independent design check and when such checks are required.

5. Documentation and Record Keeping Improvements

• Stronger requirements for documenting the design and checking process to ensure traceability and accountability.
• Improved guidance on maintaining an accurate and detailed Temporary Works Register.

6. Environmental Considerations

• New guidance on addressing environmental risks associated with temporary works, such as flooding, soil erosion, and contamination.

Why does this update matter?

The revised BS 5975-1:2024 reflects evolving industry practices and incorporates lessons learned from recent projects to improve safety and efficiency. By adopting the updated standard, businesses can ensure their temporary works procedures align with the best and latest practices, reducing risk and enhancing project control.

At Omnia Projects, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. Our teams are already aligning project processes with the new BS 5975-1:2024 guidance to ensure robust management of temporary works across all our projects.