Course Genie
Health and Safety

CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Course

Official CITB Site Safety Plus scheme. Nationally recognised certificate on completion, delivered through accredited providers.
From £199+VAT Cities 7

Book CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Course with live availability across the UK. Delivered by accredited providers, with transparent pricing and instant confirmation.

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About the CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Course

The CITB Temporary Works Supervisor course, often shortened to TWS, is a 1-day course for people who supervise temporary works on a construction site. It is part of the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme and, like the coordinator course, is built around BS 5975, the British Standard code of practice for temporary works.

Temporary works are the parts of a project that support the permanent works while they are built, such as excavation support, formwork, falsework and propping. The Temporary Works Supervisor oversees specific temporary works on the ground, making sure the agreed procedures are followed and risks are controlled during day-to-day operations. The role supports the Temporary Works Coordinator, who holds overall responsibility for the process. A supervisor is usually appointed on larger sites, or where the coordinator is managing several sites at once.

This is not a general awareness course; its focus is the role and responsibilities of the supervisor under BS 5975. Anyone taking overall responsibility for temporary works should take the 2-day Temporary Works Coordinator course instead.

The certificate is valid for 5 years. To stay certified, supervisors retake the course before the certificate expires.

Who it's for

  • Those who supervise, or are about to supervise, temporary works on site
  • Site supervisors and gangers given responsibility for specific temporary works
  • Workers who support a Temporary Works Coordinator on the ground
  • Trades and team leaders involved in formwork, falsework, propping or excavation support
  • Anyone appointed as a Temporary Works Supervisor under BS 5975
  • Supervisors on larger sites where a coordinator cannot oversee every operation
  • Groundworkers and steel fixers supervising specific temporary works
  • Sub-contractor supervisors working under a temporary works coordinator

Entry requirements

  • There is no formal entry qualification, but a construction background is assumed
  • Practical site experience relevant to temporary works is recommended
  • Prior safety training such as SSSTS is helpful but not mandatory
  • An understanding of method statements and site procedures
  • Photo identification on the day
  • Day-to-day involvement in temporary works on site

What you'll achieve

  • A CITB Temporary Works Supervisor certificate valid for 5 years
  • A clear understanding of the supervisor role under BS 5975
  • Knowledge of how the supervisor supports the Temporary Works Coordinator
  • The ability to make sure agreed temporary works procedures are followed on site
  • Confidence in controlling the risks in day-to-day temporary works operations
  • An understanding of the relevant legislation and codes of practice
  • A recognised qualification accepted by main contractors for the supervisory role
  • The ability to make sure temporary works procedures are followed correctly

What you'll learn on the CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Course

1
BS 5975 and temporary works
How the British Standard applies to the supervision of temporary works.
2
The role of the Temporary Works Supervisor
The responsibilities of the supervisor and how the role supports the coordinator.
3
Procedures and the temporary works register
Following the agreed procedures and working to the temporary works register.
4
Risk control on site
Controlling the risks in day-to-day temporary works operations.
5
Examples of temporary works
Excavation support, formwork, falsework and propping on the ground.
6
Communication and reporting
Reporting issues to the coordinator and keeping the team informed.
7
Legislation and codes of practice
The legal framework and guidance that govern temporary works.
8
Checking and permits
The checks and permits a supervisor relies on before work proceeds.

CITB Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS) Course FAQs

A Temporary Works Supervisor, or TWS, oversees specific temporary works on the ground, making sure agreed procedures are followed and risks are controlled day to day. The role is defined in BS 5975 and supports the Temporary Works Coordinator.
The Temporary Works Supervisor course runs over one day.
The supervisor oversees specific temporary works on the ground and takes the 1-day course. The coordinator has overall responsibility for managing all temporary works on a project and takes the 2-day course. Supervisors support coordinators.
There is no formal entry requirement, but a construction background and relevant site experience are recommended. Prior safety training such as SSSTS is helpful.
The certificate is valid for 5 years.
You renew by retaking the Temporary Works Supervisor course before your certificate expires.
Yes. Many providers deliver it as a live online course, with the same content and CITB certificate as the classroom version.
Take the supervisor course if you oversee specific temporary works on the ground. Take the coordinator course if you have overall responsibility for managing and coordinating all temporary works on a project.
Prices vary by provider, location and whether you choose a classroom or online place. Compare live dates and prices at the top of this page.
Yes. The course includes a CITB assessment that you must pass to gain your Temporary Works Supervisor certificate.
A supervisor may oversee excavation support, formwork, falsework, propping or scaffolding on the ground, making sure the agreed procedures are followed during the work.
A supervisor is usually appointed on larger sites, or where the Temporary Works Coordinator is managing several sites at once and cannot oversee every operation in person.
Yes. They are separate roles. Many people take the supervisor course for a ground-level role and the coordinator course later if they move into overall responsibility for temporary works.

Guides and resources

Temporary works and BS 5975 explained Read more CITB Site Safety Plus courses: the complete guide Read more CITB funding for SMSTS and SSSTS in 2026 Read more
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