Demolition Safety

www.safetygoodwe.com 

SAFETY TALK 

DEMOLITION

Demolition operations can be hazardous, both to you and to members of the public. They can also be very annoying to adjoining owners. By your actions you can prevent accidents and improve the image of our site. KNOW YOUR METHOD STATEMENT.

The following is to provide some general safety guidelines regarding some common demolition hazards. Always consult a trained professional on proper procedures and remember to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the demolition site.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

To protect yourself you need; a safety helmet, safety footwear and hi-visibility clothing always, strong boots with ankle support, gloves to prevent cuts and goggles to save your eyes. Respirators are also required in dusty conditions.

PROTECTION FROM FALLS: 

A safe place of work is essential, ensure:-

• Protected areas of the structure, for example – holes in floors.
• Correctly erected scaffold platforms, towers, mobile elevated work platforms, or crane handled workbaskets.
• Where it is not practical to provide full protection safety harnesses may be used as a last resort, and only when it is part of your method statement agreed with the Safety Department..

All work places must have a safe means of access agreed with organization . 

PROTECTION FROM FALLING MATERIALS

Make sure you follow the agreed method of demolition so that:-

• Walls and floors are not demolished adjacent to other workers - tape area off.
• Chute openings are well protected.
• Access ways are clear of demolition operations or are covered.
• Floor are not overloaded with material to the point of collapse
• Where chutes discharge into skips, cordon off the area around the skip.
• Operate a Permit system to only allow authorized persons in to the demolition area. 

FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Generally burning of rubbish on site is not permitted -check first.

When cutting steel secure gas bottles, use flash back arrestor equipment, store spare bottles n compound, take care with hoses and provide means of putting out fires. Get a Hot Work Permit from organization 

PROTECT THE PUBLIC

Keep footpaths and roads clear of debris, mud, etc., if hoarding panels are removed, stack them inside the site, replace damaged protective sheeting, damp down to reduce dust and keep noise to a minimum.

MACHINERY

Banks man must be provided where machines are used adjacent to other works or when lorries are leaving or entering site.

Demolition Safety Tips:

• Shut off all power, water, sewer and other utilities supplied to and from the structure and verify communication has occurred with utility companies.
• Ensure a trained, certified CPR and Emergency First Responder is at the site.
• Review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS) or related documentation for all hazardous materials contained within or under the structure or on the demolition site.
• Inspect for and remove slip, trip and fall hazards at walkways and means of egress.
• Wear protective headgear, eyewear, reflective vests, hearing protection and other PPE as required. Respiratory protection may be required.
• Wear fall protection if working, rigging or shoring on surfaces greater than 6 feet, using an aerial lift or where there is danger of falling into a hazardous area.
• Secure all unsafe walkways, walls and working areas with braces or similar structures. Keep all personnel away from unsecured areas at all times and verify the flooring can support necessary loads.
• Verify all walkways, stairs, ladders and other means of egress are unobstructed and all personnel are trained on proper evacuation routes.
• Limit the number of people to the demolition area and ensure communication systems are working properly to assist with identifying all personnel locations at all times.
• Start the demolition process at the top of the structure by removing structural beams and columns, working down until the job is complete. The objective is to control the collapse as much as possible and minimize airborne hazards.
• Remove stonework and other heavy external structures first to minimize loads on walls during demolition and control the movement downward.

GENERAL

If you discover materials, substances, pipes, or cables during your work, which you are unsure of, bring them to management attention.

Always care for yourself and others.

 ALWAYS WORK TO YOUR AGREED METHOD STATEMENT