Risk, Health and Safety Information

Demolition

What you need to do

The law says that all demolition, dismantling and structural alteration should be carefully planned and carried out by competent practitioners. Key issues are:

• Falls from height
• Injury from falling materials
• Uncontrolled collapse
• Risks from connected services
• Traffic management
• Hazardous materials
• Noise and vibration
• Fire
• Worker involvement

A systematic approach to demolition projects is a team effort between many people, who all have responsibilities:

• Clients must appoint dutyholders who are competent and adequately resourced.
• Structural engineers survey the site and assess the stability of nearby structures the risks of uncontrolled collapse,and the risks from hazardous materials. This should be done before work beginsa nd not be left for the principal contractor to organise.
• CDM Co-ordinators plan effective site management that keeps people (site workers and the public) as far as possible from the risks. They should give principal contractors as much information as possible.
• Principal contractors co-ordinate and manage health and safety issues during the demolition project.
• Site managers supervise workers and ensure they are following safe working practice. 
• Sub-contractors and site workers must understand and follow the precautions and ensure that their colleagues do too.