Take it apart in the right order — and find the asbestos first
Demolition means dismantling a structure, or a load-bearing part of one, and it carries serious risks: uncontrolled structural collapse, asbestos and other hazardous materials, live services, falling debris and working at height. Before any demolition or refurbishment, you must have a competent person survey the building for asbestos and remove it so far as is reasonably practicable. The work then follows a planned sequence with services isolated and people kept clear.
If a building might contain asbestos and you are planning demolition or refurbishment, before work starts you must engage a competent person to inspect the areas to be disturbed — including inaccessible places such as wall cavities — and identify any asbestos. If you cannot reasonably determine whether asbestos is present, you must assume it is.
Any asbestos must be removed so far as is reasonably practicable before demolition begins (unless it can only be reached by demolishing the structure), using licensed removal and notification where required. See managing asbestos.
Uncontrolled or premature collapse is the critical risk in demolition. The order in which a structure is taken apart matters, because removing the wrong element can bring down more than intended. Complex or load-bearing demolition should follow a documented methodology, often designed or reviewed by an engineer, with the structure assessed before work starts and as it progresses. No one works beneath an unsupported or partly demolished structure.
Before demolition, locate and make safe all services — electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and any stored or residual fuels — so a wall does not come down on a live cable or a charged gas line. Confirm disconnection with the relevant authority rather than assuming it.
Demolition also brings falling debris and objects, working at height, mobile plant and excavators, dust (including silica), noise and vibration, and other hazardous materials such as lead paint and synthetic mineral fibre. Protect workers and the public with exclusion zones, hoarding and traffic management, suppress dust with water, and use competent operators and supervisors. Demolition usually involves several businesses, so the parties must consult, co-operate and co-ordinate.
Capture your demolition hazards and document the controls before work starts. Book a demo and we'll show you how it works — free 30-day trial included.
Before demolition or refurbishment, engage a competent person to survey the areas to be disturbed, including inaccessible places like wall cavities. Assume asbestos is present if you cannot determine otherwise, and remove it so far as is reasonably practicable before work begins.
Uncontrolled or premature structural collapse. The sequence of demolition matters, and complex or load-bearing work should follow a documented methodology, often designed or reviewed by an engineer.
Yes. Locate and make safe all electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and residual fuels before demolition, and confirm disconnection with the relevant authority rather than assuming it.
With exclusion zones, hoarding and traffic management, dust suppression, and by controlling falling debris, so people near the site are not exposed to the work.
Certain demolition-related work must be notified, such as asbestos removal and demolition involving explosives. Check the current notification requirements for your specific work.
