Crucial Safety Tips Before Demolition
There are many things to consider before demolition works get underway, like where you’ll dispose of the building materials and whether you have all the necessary planning permissions. Undoubtedly, the logistics of the project are one of the first things you think about, but what about safety?
Your safety, and that of your crew, should always come first, so here are a few essential safety tips to prioritise before demolition gets underway.
Make Sure Your Team is Skilled
Demolition works are dangerous, and having the skills and qualifications to keep you and others safe at work can be paramount. While such a role requires a significant amount of on-the-job training, there’s no harm in considering training like a National Certificate in Demolition and safety courses.
If you’ll be working at a site with asbestos, having trained, licensed, and qualified asbestos removalists can also be crucial to remain on the right side of the law and keep all site workers safe.
Know Where All Workers Are At All Times
When you have a large team working on a demolition project, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of what everyone is doing and where they are. However, since not knowing where your employees are can have devastating consequences, this needs to be your priority.
Make a point of never deploying workers to different levels of a building scheduled for demolition unless you’ve put all adequate precautions in place and know where they’ll be during each part of the project.
Start at the Top
What goes up must come down, but there has to be a method for how it comes down during demolition. All demolition work should start at the top, regardless of whether you’re reclaiming materials during the process or only performing a partial demolition.
Starting at the top is a core component of all demolition types, like implosion, excavator, wrecking ball, and selective demolition.
Identify All Hazards and Implement Safety Controls
Before works get underway, ensure you have a method in place to identify new and existing hazards on your work site. Once identified, implement control measures to prevent harm to yourself, your employees, and others.
You might also see the value in site-specific safety plans for your unique demolition method, including any necessary emergency procedures. Adjust and adapt this plan as your working environment evolves.
Provide Necessary PPE
Keeping employees out of harm’s way is one of the most crucial considerations when working on a demolition site, but that doesn’t mean personal protective equipment isn’t essential. Those directly in the firing line of demolition works should take a number of personal precautions and wear:
Non-tear clothing
Fitted goggles
Hearing protection
A dust mask
Gloves
A hard hat with a fitted chin strap
Some of the same PPE should also be provided for site visitors and those moving through or around the job site.
Nominate a Supervisor
Whenever demolition tasks get underway, all employees are busy doing what they’re trained and qualified to do. However, as skilled and experienced as they are, there still needs to be a nominated supervisor to control demolition works at all times.
Such a person needs to be experienced in the role of supervision and health and safety while also being a ‘go-to’ person for employees whenever they have any questions. They should also be someone who can monitor demolition works from start to finish to make sure all tasks are performed in accordance with the previously outlined demolition and safety plans.
Protect the Public
Many demolition projects take place in public places, with the general public going about their business within proximity to a busy and dangerous building site. Limit the risk to the general public by erecting fences, gantries, and other barriers.
These can limit site access and prevent unwanted visitors from accessing it during or after work hours.
Practice Self Responsibility
While demolition companies are responsible for the health and safety of their team, employees must also have responsibility for their own health and safety at work.
They shouldn’t operate equipment or use tools they aren’t trained or authorised to use, and they should always abide by employer health and safety rules. It’s also crucial for employees to wear the PPE they’ve been provided with and to participate in any training programs or courses provided for safer demolition practices.
It’s also crucial for all demolition workers not to work under the influence of impairment-causing drugs or alcohol.
Safe Demolition, Safe Team
As experienced as you are in demolition, that doesn’t mean health and safety rules don’t apply to you. By putting safety first, you stand the best chance of having your next demolition project go off without a hitch.
If you’re a home or business owner thinking about demolition for growth or development, contact trained experts who understand the importance of developing an intensive and well-thought-out demolition plan for a successful outcome.