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WorkCover. Watching out for you. New South Wales Government
DEMOLITION
IDENTIFICATION TOOL FOR
HAZARD PROFILE2001WorkCover NSW Health and Safety Hazard Profile
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Disclaimer
This publication may contain occupational health and safety and workers compensation information. It may include some of your obligations under the
various legislations that WorkCover NSW administers. To ensure you comply with your legal obligations you must refer to the appropriate legislation.
Information on the latest laws can be checked by visiting the NSW legislation website (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au) or by contacting the free hotline
service on 02 9321 3333.
This publication does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law as it applies to particular problems or to individuals or as a substitute for
legal advice. You should seek independent legal advice if you need assistance on the application of the law to your situation.
WorkCover NSW
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Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Demolition Page 1
Preamble
This Hazard Profile is a tool to assist in the identification of occupational health and safety(OHS) hazards in relation to demolition work.
This tool is one of a series of Hazard Profiles developed by the University of New South
Wales School of Safety Science and Building Research Centre in support of theConstruction Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed in 1998 betweenthe NSW Government and the Chief Executive Officers of the principal contractors andmajor industry associations in the NSW construction industry.
The signatories to the MOU have worked in partnership to implement measures to improvethe construction industrys OHS and injury management performance.
The Hazard Profiles were developed following interviews with principal contractors andsubcontractors, which highlighted the accurate identification of hazards as a significantweakness in the successful management of subcontractor safety.
Hazard Profiles can be used as a guide to help:
1. identify generic hazards and the controls required for a job task;2. assist in formulating relevant and effective safe work method statements;3. guide or induct new workers in the typical hazards for a specific trade;4. check that all general trade specific hazards have been identified in safety documentation
required by the principal contractor.
Other products developed under the auspices of the Construction MOU include:
1. Subby Pack: OHS Contractor Management Tool2. CHAIR: Safety in Design Tool3. Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Metal Roofing
Identification Tool for Electrical Hazards on-siteIdentification Tool for FormworkIdentification Tool for Aluminium Mobile ScaffoldsIdentification Tool for Steel Reinforcement FixingIdentification Tool for Concrete PlacementIdentification Tool for Bricklaying
4. Supervisor Manual: OHS Training Tool5. Safety Meter: Positive Performance Measurement Tool
Another valuable tool to assist small and medium-sized businesses to systematicallymanage safety is WorkCovers Workplace Safety Kit.
More information about each of these products can be obtained by contacting WorkCoverNSW on 131050 or www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
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Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Demolition Page 2
Hazard Profile Demolition
Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
General
planning
Inadequate
training,consultation,planning andimprovisation.
Task specific
injuries due toinexperience,inadequateconsultation orfailure to provideappropriateequipment.
Insufficient skills
(competency) to complete therequired task.
Inadequate consultation withrelevant employees.
Inadequate competentsupervision.
Planning for requiredequipment not carried out.
Improvisation usinginappropriate equipment.
Poor Access. Slips, trips andfalls; abrasions,strains andsprains; manualhandling injuriessuch as backdamage.
Access to work area cluttered poor housekeeping.
Area around work areacluttered with storedmaterials and/or rubbish.
Inadequate access fordemolishers and theirequipment.
Insufficientlighting.
Slips, trips andfalls; walk intoobjects.
Poor lighting providedespecially in basement areas.
Access ways not suitably
defined or lighted.Lack of adequateventilation.
Illness; overcomeby fumes.
Working in a ConfinedSpace.
Intake for asbestosdecontamination, or otherchamber positioned too closeto diesel or other fumes.
Petrol/diesel drivenequipment used.
Working at height
near edge.
Fall from the
edge of a floor.
Inadequate strength in
perimeter handrail or midrailmissing.
Gaps in perimeter protection,e.g. between screen or edgescaffold.
No catch scaffold provided.
Penetrations. Fall throughpenetration.
Penetrations not fenced orcovered, or cover not securedforming trap.
Uncontrolledcollapse ofstructure or partof structure.
Serious injury toperson/s.
Poor planning of thedemolition process.
Planning, including method ofdemolition not approved by
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Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Demolition Page 3
Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
the appropriate Authority.
Noise from plantand equipment.
Hearing damage. No engineering solution forhigh noise level, e.g. quieteror muffled equipment.
No temporary soundabsorption screen or barrierto protect other persons inthe area, e.g. ply orpolystyrene.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Sharp objects. Cuts, lacerations,puncture wounds.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Hazardous
materials instructure.
Exposure to
hazardousmaterials.
Hazardous substances
survey not conducted prior tocommencement of work.
Detailed removal techniquesnot documented.
Specialised workers(licensed) not involved inremoval or workers notinducted.
Hazardous materials notreported when detected.
Required precautions forremoval, handling anddisposal not followed.
Demolition techniquesinappropriate for containmentof hazardous material scatter material over a widearea.
Other workers not preventedfrom entering areas wherehazardous materials exist or
are being removed. No warning signs or signs
insufficient.
Hazardous material left onsite after completion of work.
Bagged materials notremoved before damage tobag/s occurs.
Dust and otherfibres.
Inhalation,respiratorydisease.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Exposure to UltraViolet Light,
Skin cancer;sunburn, eye
Personal protective clothing sunscreen 15
+, shirt, flap on
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Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Demolition Page 4
Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
glare. damage. hard hat not provided or notworn.
AS rated sunglasses notworn.
PreliminariesDisconnect
and/ordecommissionservices
Electricity. Electric shock orelectrocution.
Licensed electrical contractornot used to switch off/isolatepower.
On site labour do not treat allpower circuits as live.
Pyro connection (fire backupfor alarm) not identified,tagged and isolated.
Earth Leakage Switch notinstalled on mains supply or
portable generator. "Volt Sticks" not used by
workers to check for livecircuits.
Other power source fromoutside the site not identifiedand disconnected.
Irregular ("bodgie")connections not identifiedand disconnected.
Temporary connections notidentified, tagged andisolated.
Water pipe electrified.
Gas. Injury fromexplosion; severeburns from beingcaught in theexplosion or fireor fighting a fire.
Licensed Gas Plumber notused to isolate and switch offgas supply at source.
Residual vapour in mains notflushed with compressed air.
Workers attempt to fight agas fire instead of notifying
emergency services. Leaks in pipes caused by
heavy machinery loading.
Irregular ("bodgie")connections not identifiedand disconnected.
Other volatile orexplosivematerials.
Injury fromexplosion; severeburns from beingcaught in theexplosion or fire
or fighting a fire.
Insufficient identification andplanning.
Dust ignition.
Chemical ignition.
Diesel/petroleum ignition.
Decommissioning of oldchemical, or fuel, tanks.
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Hazard Profile: Identification Tool for Demolition Page 5
Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
Fire. Burns and/orsmoke inhalationor asphyxiation.
Short circuit.
Work area not cleared ofcombustible material prior tooxy cutting.
Stray spark from oxy or other.
Spotter" (additional worker)not used to watch for spotfires that may be caused bysparks from oxy cutting.
Material combustion.
Fire extinguisher not full oradjacent to work area.
Workers not trained in theuse of fire equipment.
Protection ofthe public and
site personnel
Windborne dustand smallparticles.
Struck by dust orsmall particles.Eye damage.
Dust not wet down. No regular clean ups and
removal.
Safety glasses not worn.
Poor separation and/orprotection of work and publicareas on the buildingperimeter or within thebuilding if it is in use.
Perimeter scaffold not
adequately screened e.g.chain wire and shade cloth.
Large fallingdebris or partialcollapse.
Serious injury toperson/s.
Poor separation and/orprotection of work and publicareas on the buildingperimeter or within thebuilding if it is in use.
Uncontrolled collapse of largemembers or other material.
Insufficient planning forlowering or control of large
materials.Collapse of afacade to beretained.
Serious injury toperson/s.
Insufficient planning byengineer/s or otherresponsible persons.
Planning does not allow foradverse weather e.g. highwinds.
Faade foundationundermined.
Faade supporting structure
struck by plant. Poor separation and/or
protection of work and public
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
areas on the buildingperimeter or within thebuilding if it is in use.
Lifting loads by
crane.
Serious injury to
person/s fromfalling materialbeing lifted.
Qualified (ticketed) Dogmanor crane driver not used.
Individual loads not inspectedand cleared before liftingcommences.
Slings not regularly inspectedand tested.
Load not slung correctly.
Sling capacity overloaded.
Load strikes object, egstructure, when lifting or
lowering. Communication error
between Dogman and cranedriver.
Foundation for mobile craneunstable.
Hazardousmaterialsremoval
Contact withsubstanceclassified ashazardous.
Short or longterm healthaffect, e.govercome byvapours, rash,allergy, disease.
Risk assessment notundertaken.
Alternate (safer) substancenot considered.
No MSDS provided.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Safety instructions ignoredand/or training in safe use ofthe substance not provided.
Release ofAsbestos fibres.
Exposure toAsbestos.
Unidentified sources withinstructure.
Contamination of area withfriable asbestos.
Release of fibres during removal
of: vinyl tiles.
roof membranes.
roof sheeting.
electrical switchboards.
lift brake linings.
mastic sealants.
Lead dust orfumes.
Exposure toLead.
Unidentified lead paint onsite.
Inhalation of lead
contaminated dust. Inhalation of lead
contaminated fumes when
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
cutting lead painted material.
Heat generatedtoxic fumes.
Inhalation offumes.
Inhalation of cyanide gaswhen cutting galvanizedmaterial.
Inhalation of leadcontaminated fumes whencutting lead painted material.
Mercury in switchgear.
Exposure toMercury.
Unidentified sources withinstructure.
Damage to electricalswitchgear during removal.
PCBs in lightfittings andtransformers.
Exposure toPCBs.
Unidentified sources withinstructure.
Damage to fluorescent lights
during removal. Damage to transformers
during removal.
Contamination ofor lack of air.
Person collapses,suffocates or isasphyxiated.
Intake for asbestosdecontamination, or otherchamber positioned too closeto diesel, or other fumes.
Asphyxiation in a confinedspace due to lack ofventilation.
Confined Spaces Regulationnot followed.
Petrochemicalproducts.
Exposure causingallergies or otherskin irritations.
Allergic reaction to chemicals.
No PPE provided for therequired task.
Incorrect PPE for therequired task.
Soft strip out Synthetic mineralfibres (SMFs).
Release of fibres inhalation.
Unidentified sources withinstructure.
Work not conducted in acontrolled manner when
demolishing walls or ceilings. Scatter of glass fibres,
mineral wool particles, SMFs.
Fibres not securely baggedand removed before damageto bags occurs.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Structuraldemolition
techniques
Sharp objects. Puncturewounds, cuts,
glass fragmentsin the eye/s.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Debris not cleared from workarea on a regular basis.
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
Hypodermic needles left bydrug users and vandals.
Nails protruding from timberand other materials.
Removal of debris containingglass or metal with sharpedges.
Glass breaks during removal fragments.
Heavy mobileplant inoperation.
Worker struck byplant.
Working too close to plantoperating area.
Workers not aware ofplanned exclusion zone foroperation of plant.
"Spotter" not used tosupervise plant.
Operator error in the controlof the plant.
Risk taking - violation ofinstruction or rule.
Plant not switched off duringon site maintenance.
Additional passenger ridingon the plant.
Operator not signalled (eyecontact) before approachingthe operating plant or workarea.
Plant working atheight tippingdebris over anopen edge.
Operating plantdragged overedge.
Work area cluttered withdebris, particularly steelreinforcement and concrete.
Debris caught on plant, e.g.in wheels or tracks.
No safety rail for plant atpoint where debris is tipped
over the edge. Safety rail of inadequate
strength, and height, unableto withstand possible plantimpact.
Safety rail not replacedimmediately if removed toincrease access to the edge.
Stability ofoperating plant.
Roll overcrushingoperator.
Inadequate foundation foroperating plant.
Subsidence or collapse ofearth or rubble below oradjacent to plant.
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
Plant operating too close toan excavation, basement ortrench.
Plant inclined beyond safeoperating limits.
Stability ofoperating plant.
Roll overcrushingoperator.
Inadequate foundation foroperating plant.
Subsidence or collapse ofearth or rubble below oradjacent to plant.
Plant operating too close toan excavation, basement ortrench.
Plant inclined beyond safe
operating limits.Plant orequipmentgeneratedprojectiles.
Person/s struckby debris flungout from plant.
Poor housekeeping aroundplant and equipment.
Debris spun off machinerywheels or tracks.
Shattered concrete ormasonry breakage whenusing powered hammers orpicks.
Unauthorised personswander into work area.
Operator not adequatelyprotected.
Wall/sdestabilized.
Collapse of wallor part of the wallonto person/s.
Site inspection and detailedWork Method Statement notcarried out.
Engineering approval fordemolition sequence notobtained.
Planned demolition sequencenot followed.
Public areas, e.g. street orwalkway, not closed if there isa risk of collapse.
Demolition not started at thetop of the wall.
Operator untrained, lack ofunderstanding of specificdemolition sequence.
Stray debris falls, e.g. loosebricks.
Undetected changes in wallstructure, e.g. ducts.
Not built to plan or plans
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
incorrect.
Column/soverloaded ordestabilized.
Uncontrolledcollapse causingdeath or multiple
injuries.
Site inspection and detailedWork Method Statement notcarried out.
Engineering report notcorrect.
Planned demolition sequencenot followed.
Not built to plan or plansincorrect.
Moving plant collides with, orswinging boom, hits column.
Deterioration due to termitesor rust.
Public areas, e.g. street orwalkway, not closed if there isa risk of collapse.
Floor/soverloaded ordestabilized.
Floor collapsecausing death ormultiple injuries.
Site inspection and detailedWork Method Statement notcarried out.
Engineering report notcorrect.
Plant falls through floor.
Not built to plan or plansincorrect.
Changes in floor structure orpart thereof during life ofbuilding e.g. old liftwell, towercrane or dumbwaiter.
Demolition materials stackedtoo high causing overload.
Structural engineers reportdoes not establish depthguidelines for the stacking ofrubble.
Plant strays from definedoperating areas.
Planned demolition sequencenot followed.
Work area slab not regularlyinspected for signs ofmovement or new cracking,especially from underneath.
Use of explosivesto weaken ortopple mainstructure.
Person/s struckby debris flungout by blast.
Insufficient technical skills(competency) to complete therequired task.
Planning, including method ofdemolition not approved by
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
the appropriate Authority.
Inadequate assessment ofthe structure and explosivetechnique to be used.
Inadequate early warning.
Inadequate blast absorptionbarriers.
Inadequate exclusion zonefor workers and the public.
Worker/s stray into the blastarea.
Use of handheld tools
Falling debris ortools.
Person struck byfalling objects.
No barrier exclusion zone orsize of the zone inadequate.
Drop zones not barricaded
and/or sign posted. Debris tipped from higher
levels fall onto plant orpersons below.
Insufficient containment.
Unauthorized personswander into work area.
Tool dropped by worker.
Perimeter of the site notadequately secured with acombination of scaffold,chain wire mesh, shade cloth,plywood, carpet and 10KPahoardings.
Operating steeltipped tools e.g.jackhammer.
Steel splintersflung out fromshattered toolstriking worker/sor pick punctureswork boot.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Jackhammer pick breaks orshatters.
Pick worn or damaged.
Jammed jackhammerresulting in loss of control.
Loss of control due toconstrained work area.
Operator not trained in theuse of the tool.
Operator uses foot to guidejackhammer pick.
Operating chainsaw.
Saw kicks backcausing blade tostrike operatorsbody.
Equipment not adequatelymaintained.
Operator not trained in theuse of the tool.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Loss of control due to
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
constrained work area.
Kickback brake not working.
Operating electricpower saw orangle grinder.
Electric Shock orelectrocution.
Electrical equipment faulty.
Extension lead faulty ordamaged.
Lead severed by power sawblade or disk.
Earth Leakage Switch notinstalled on mains supply orportable generator.
Cutting withpower saw orangle grinder.
Serious cuts fromcontact with sawblade or disk.
Saw blade or grinder diskunguarded.
Guard faulty.
Saw blade or cutting disk
damaged causing tool tocatch and jump.
Cutting disk badly worn blade disintegrates.
Wrong type of blade orcutting disk used.
Grinder not fitted with DeadMans switch.
Sparks generatedwhen usingpower saw orangle grinder tocut metal.
Fire causingburns.
Work area not cleared ofcombustible material prior to
cutting. "Spotter" (additional worker)
not used to watch for spotfires that may be caused bysparks.
Fire extinguisher not full oradjacent to work area.
Workers not trained in theuse of fire equipment.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Cutting Steel withOxy Acetylenetorch.
Burns to the bodye.g. arms andlegs. Damage toeyes.
No PPE or incorrect PPE forthe required task.
Hot cut piece notconstrained.
Long guns (extendednozzles) not used forconstrained work areas.
Damage to hoses orequipment.
No flashback arrester.
Blow back from rust andconcrete.
Working at Working at Fall e.g. from the No edge protection.
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
height height. edge or through aroof or from aboom lift.
No harness or harness notsecured.
Harness anchorage incorrect.
Climb out of elevated boomlift.
Fall through brittle roof.
Standing on a destabilizedroof after fixings have beenremoved in advance.
Workers not trained in theuse of safety equipment forworking at heights
Work not supervised toensure correct procedures
are followed. Use of a machine not
considered wherepracticable.
Erecting laddersor workingplatforms nearlive power.
Electric shock orelectrocution.
Working too close to livepower lines.
Ladder contacts power lines.
Tiger Tails not in place onpower lines.
Wind causes power lines toswing.
Wind causes loss of controlwhen erecting ladder.
Working from aladder.
Fall from ladder. Ladder not tied off.
Load capacity of ladderexceeded.
Ladder failure due to physicaldamage or corrosion.
Domestic ladder used insteadof commercial.
Ladder not positioned at
correct angle.Working from aplatform.
Fall fromplatform.
Incorrect assembly ordifferent systems mixedtogether.
Access ladders notpositioned a minimum of 1metre above the platform.
Scaffold incorrectlyconstructed.
Scaffold not adequately tied
or braced. Platform not fully decked.
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Job Activity(Tasks)
What Can HarmYou (Hazards)
What CanHappen (Risks)
Causes Which Needto be Managed (Controlled)
Inadequate edge protection.
Struck by plant or equipment.
Struck by uncontrolledcollapse of part of thestructure or dislodgedmaterial.
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Catalogue No. WC00985 WorkCover Publications Hotline 1300 799 003
WorkCover NSW 92-100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250
Locked Bag 2906 Lisarow NSW 2252 WorkCover Assistance Service 13 10 50
Website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au