Occupational Health & Safety

Practitioner

Reading

DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE

HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

January 2009

®
Contents
OVERVIEW .....................................................................................................................1

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................2

SECTION 2: COMMON HAZARDS OF DEMOLITION WORK ......................................3

SECTION 3: HIERARCHY OF CONTROL.....................................................................9

SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................12

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING..................................................................12

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

OVERVIEW

The aim of this reading is to give a basic understanding of the

most common hazards associated with demolition work; and how
the hierarchy of control should be applied to these hazards.

Objectives
After reading this information you should be able to:

 describe the most common hazards associated with demolition

work; and
 demonstrate how to apply the hierarchy of control to a
demolition hazard.

Author
Tony Poulton

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Section 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Demolition is a high risk activity

The demolition process is usually a dynamic one, with rapid
change to the structure being worked on. It requires specialised
skills to be carried out safely and correctly. An intimate knowledge
of construction and the order in which things were done during
construction, together with expertise in demolition methods, are
required.

Demolition work is a high-risk activity. Demolition workers may be

exposed to a variety of hazards. Exposure to these hazards may
not be confined to the workers themselves. They may extend to
others in adjacent properties and those in the local vicinity of the
site.

The aim of this reading is to give a basic understanding of the

most common hazards associated with demolition work; and how
the hierarchy of control should be applied to these hazards.

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Section 2: COMMON HAZARDS OF DEMOLITION

WORK

Common hazards associated with demolition are:

 Falls
 Being hit/trapped/crushed by object
 Manual handling
 Hazardous substances & dangerous goods
 Noise and vibration
 Electric shock
 Fires and explosions
 Plant and equipment

2.1 Falls
A risk assessment should be undertaken in relation to falls; and fall
protection should be provided for all persons exposed to a fall of 2
or more metres. Having regard to the hierarchy of control, the
higher order controls of elimination and isolation should be
introduced where practicable, to ensure all persons work from solid
construction.

Falls at demolition sites can be the result of:

 falling through fragile roofing material;

 falling through penetrations or open voids, (eg, skylights, voids
for air-conditioning and plumbing);
 falling from open edges, (eg, stairways, landings, fixed
platforms, scaffolding and edge of roof);
 falling out of elevating work platforms, (eg, scissor lifts and
boom types);
 failure of plant, (eg, elevating work platforms);
 falling whilst accessing a roof or other elevated area;
 lift shafts;
 collapse of flooring, (eg, concrete slab and wooden decking);
 collapse of ground above cellars/pits; and
 tripping over debris on the ground.

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2.2 Being hit/trapped/crushed by

object
These hazards may be present for a number of reasons, which
include:

 falling debris, (eg, down service ducts and lift shafts);

 accidental/uncontrolled collapse of a structure;
 use of plant and equipment, (eg, cranes lifting loads); and
 failure of structural members, (eg, load bearing steelwork).

2.3 Manual handling

Manual handling tasks on demolition sites should be identified and
assessed, and controlled using the hierarchy of control. Wherever
possible, plant and other mechanical aids should be used to move
debris, materials and equipment. The use of some equipment may
also create a manual-handling hazard.

As a result, manual-handling hazards on demolition sites can

result from activities including:

 using equipment;
 operating plant;
 manual demolition;
 lifting material;
 clearing up; and
 loading trucks / bins.

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2.4 Hazardous substances and

dangerous goods
Any hazardous substances or dangerous goods identified during
investigation or found during the demolition work, must be handled
and disposed of in accordance with legislative requirements (both
State and local).

Structures may contain hazardous substances/dangerous goods

as a result of previous use. Any residues of substances/materials
in storage tanks, storage areas or pipelines, need to be identified
and evaluated. The safe working procedure needs to detail the
controls to be used, for handling and disposing of these
substances.

Hazardous substances
Most hazardous substances create a hazard for demolition
workers by being inhaled, ingested or reacting or being absorbed
by the skin. Environmental monitoring may need to be carried out
in certain situations. Specialist advice should be obtained from
appropriately competent persons. Some of the most common
hazardous substances in demolition work include:

 Lead - is most dangerous when it is in the air as a fume or

dust, eg: when cutting steelwork coated with lead based paint;
from spraying wood with lead based paint; and dismantling of
tanks containing lead based petrol.

 Asbestos - where possible it should be removed before any

other demolition works starts. Asbestos may be found in:
sprayed coatings; thermal and acoustic insulation materials;
fire resistant walls/partitions; asbestos cement sheets; or
flooring materials.

 PCBs - a toxic substance found in electric transformers and

capacitors, refrigeration and heating equipment.

 Silica - occurs in stone, some bricks and concrete aggregate.

Any demolition of structures constructed from these materials
will give rise to dust containing silica.

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Dangerous goods
Residues from dangerous goods may create a hazard to
demolition workers. Storage tanks and vessels may contain
flammable vapours or toxic sludges, especially those forming part
of an industrial process. Flammable liquids and vapours may also
be encountered in confined spaces (such as tanks) and in pipes.

2.5 Noise and vibration

The source of noise and vibration on demolition sites can be
caused by the use of plant and equipment, falling debris and
explosives. Compressors, pneumatic hand-held tools, front end
loaders, excavators and other equipment, can create noise levels
of more than L Aeq,8h of 85dB(A) and may at times create peak
noise levels of more than L C,peak 140dB(C).

2.6 Electric shock

All wiring, except where temporary installations are required,
should be disconnected before demolition work commences.
Temporary electrical installations must comply with legislative
requirements. Where there is a possibility of live wires in the
structure, areas of danger should be clearly tagged and signs
erected warning of the hazard. A detailed plan of these areas
should be formulated.

Plant and equipment should be used with care to ensure that no

part of them comes into contact with overhead or underground
wires or cables. When working near any power lines or cables or
other services such as gas mains, local legislative requirements for
such work must be followed.

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

2.7 Fires and explosions

Where existing plant has contained flammable materials,
precautions must be observed to avoid fires or explosions.
Specialist advice may be required to identify any residual and
evaluate (monitor) and assess whether contamination remains.
Any residue flammable materials must be made safe.

Deliberate burning of structures must not be used as a method of

demolition. Burning-off on demolition sites must not be undertaken
without the approval of all relevant local legislative authorities.

When welding or cutting at the demolition site, sparks will present

a fire hazard. Any flammable materials should be identified and
risks of fire assessed, prior to these tasks being undertaken.

The escape of explosive gases from accidental damage to pipes

during the demolition process is yet another source for fire and
explosions. All services, including gas, need to be identified during
the investigation process. Where services are in original plans for
the structure and site, but have not been identified, work should
cease until a further investigation determines the correct location
of these services.

Arson, especially when the site is unattended, may be a further

source of fire. Adequate site security and good housekeeping of
the site, by removing and/or isolating flammable and combustible
materials, will assist in reducing the risk of arson at a demolition
site.

Portable fire extinguishers and access to local fire hydrants should

be maintained throughout the demolition process.

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2.8 Plant and equipment

The hazards associated with plant and equipment used on
demolition sites are numerous. Only appropriately competent
persons should operate plant and equipment on demolition sites.
Examples of some of the hazards that may result from operating
plant and equipment on demolition sites include:

 Electrocution - plant coming into contact with live wires.

 Plant failure - crane exceeding its safe working load.

 Dropping material - incorrect slinging of loads.

 Plant striking persons - where persons can interact with moving

equipment, particularly shared access ways.

 Noise and vibration – front-end loaders, excavators.

 Flying particles - pneumatic tools such as impact hammers.

 Dust and other airborne hazards - carbon monoxide from petrol

driven plant operated in enclosed areas.

 Falling objects onto operators - from premature collapse of

walls and roofs.

 Structural collapse of floors - plant operating on floors which

are not certified safe and/or back-propped where required.

 Welding and cutting hazards - structural failure of steelwork,

and fire and explosions.

 Falls - from elevating work platforms, ladders and scaffolding.

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Section 3: HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

3.1 There is a preferred order of

control
Demolition hazard control involves implementing measures which
reduce the risk at the demolition site. Where legislation requires
specific methods to control the risk, these must be used.

Reducing the risks associated with demolition work is not limited to

the means described in this reading. Other means may be relevant
for particular cases, if they can eliminate or reduce the risk.

There is a hierarchy or preferred order of control, ranging from the

most effective to the least effective. These controls are not
mutually exclusive. There may be occasions when more than one
control must be used to reduce a risk.

The preferred order is:

 elimination;
 substitution;
 isolation;
 engineering controls;
 administrative controls; and
 personal protective equipment.

3.2 Elimination
This is the most effective control measure. This involves removing
the hazard or hazardous work practice from the workplace, by
means including the following:

 Disconnecting services to the demolition site.

 Ensuring there are no sparks or ignition sources, where a risk
of fire or explosion exists.
 Ensuring separation between the public and demolition
activities.

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

3.3 Substitution
Substituting or replacing a hazard or hazardous work practice with
a less hazardous one, by means including the following:

 Using an induced collapse technique, in place of people

working at heights.
 Using power shears, in place of grinding or oxy-acetelene
cutting, where a risk of fire exists.

3.4 Isolation
Isolating or separating the hazard or hazardous work practice
from: people involved in the demolition work; or people in the
general area from the hazard, by means including the following:

 Installing screens on plant to protect from dust and noise.

 Installing barriers and fences.
 Marking off hazardous areas.

3.5 Engineering controls

If the hazard cannot be eliminated, substituted or isolated, an
engineering control is the next preferred measure, by means
including the following:

 Modifying tools or equipment.

 Providing guarding to machinery or equipment.
 Providing shatterproof/guarded windscreens on plant.
 FOPS and ROPS on plant.
 Installing safe working platforms, eg, scaffolds and elevating
work platforms.
 Installing edge protection to open edges of landings, stairways
and fixed platforms.
 Using propping and bracing to support loads.
 Installing static lines and anchor points for fall arrest systems.
 Spraying water to suppress dust.
 Using chutes for dropping debris.
 Using cranes for lowering loads.

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 Installing vehicle buffers where plant is exposed to an open

edge.
 Using machine mounted impact hammers, power shears, drills
and saws.
 Providing flash arresters on gauges and hoses of welding
equipment.

3.6 Administrative controls

This includes introducing work practices that reduce the risk, by
means including the following:

 Limiting the amount of time a person is exposed to a particular

hazard.
 Implementing and documenting safe working procedures for all
hazardous tasks.
 Training and instructing all personnel.
 Identifying hazardous substances prior to work commencing.
 Implementing safe procedures for handling hazardous
substances.
 Implementing procedures for disconnecting services to the site.
 Using lookouts at the site.
 Implementing confined space entry procedures.
 Ensuring all loads to be lifted are accurately calculated.
 Use of lollypop man.

3.7 Personal protective equipment

The advice of a specialist may be required when selecting PPE.
PPE should only be considered when other control measures are
not practicable or to increase a person's protection as an additional
measure. PPE includes:

 Safety helmets.
 Fall-arrest harnesses and lanyards.
 Boots.
 Gloves.
 Respirators.
 Hearing protectors.

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 READING – DEMOLITION HAZARDS AND THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

SUMMARY

Demolition work can result in serious injuries and death. However,

if a demolition project is well planned the risks of injury and death
can be minimised. It should be reiterated that the planning and
execution of a demolition project should only be done by
appropriately competent persons.

By completing this reading you should have a basic understanding

of the hazards associated with demolition work and how the
hierarchy of hazard controls may be applied to demolition hazards.

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REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Hans Halberstadt. Demolition Equipment. Publisher: Motorbooks

International, USA.

Standards Australia. AS 2601 - The Demolition of Structures.

R W King & R Hudson, Construction Hazard and Safety Handbook

Publisher: Butterworth & Co Ltd, UK.

V J Davies & K Tomasin. Construction Safety Handbook.

Publisher: Thomas Telford Ltd, UK.

Construction Health & Safety Publisher: The Building Advisory

Service for the Building Employers Confederation, UK.

National Standard for Construction Work. National and State

Codes of Practice on Prevention of Falls in the Workplace, Manual
handling, Noise and Excavation.

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