Demolition Contractor Safety Manual

What Should a Demolition Contractor Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Demolition Contractor Safety Manual should reflect the types of demolition work the company actually performs.

A contractor performing interior selective demolition may encounter different hazards than a company mechanically demolishing an entire structure. Contractors dismantling industrial facilities may encounter process equipment, hazardous energy, chemicals, confined spaces, and complex structural conditions not normally encountered during residential demolition.

The manual should begin with the company’s Core Construction Safety Programs and then incorporate additional programs based on the structures, equipment, materials, work methods, and hazards involved in the company’s demolition operations.

Core Safety Programs for Demolition Contractors

A comprehensive Demolition Contractor Safety Manual may include core programs addressing:

• Accident and Incident Investigation.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Hand and Power Tool Safety.
• Hazard Communication.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Slips, Trips and Falls.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Electrical Safety.
• Ladder and Stairway Safety.

The manual should also establish responsibilities for management, supervisors, employees, competent and qualified persons, hazard identification, workplace inspections, safety training, hazard correction, incident reporting, recordkeeping, and periodic review of the company’s safety programs.

Pre-Demolition Engineering Survey

Before demolition operations begin, an engineering survey must be performed by a competent person to evaluate the condition of the structure.

The survey should determine the condition of framing, floors, walls, and other structural components and evaluate the possibility of unplanned collapse. Adjacent structures where employees could be exposed should also be evaluated.

The employer must maintain written evidence that the required engineering survey has been performed.

Information obtained during the survey should be considered when planning the demolition sequence, selecting equipment, establishing restricted areas, determining structural-support requirements, and developing safe work procedures.

Pre-Demolition Planning

Demolition should be planned before employees begin removing structural components or materials.

Planning should consider:

• The results of the engineering survey.
• Structural condition and stability.
• Adjacent structures.
• Demolition sequence.
• Hazardous materials.
• Equipment and access requirements.
• Fall hazards.
• Falling-object hazards.
• Employee access and egress.
• Debris removal.
• Fire hazards.
• Emergency procedures.
• Public protection.
• Activities of other contractors.
• Changes that may occur as demolition progresses.

Demolition planning should be reviewed when conditions differ from those anticipated or when the sequence or method of demolition changes.

Structural Stability and Collapse Hazards

Structural conditions can change continuously as demolition progresses.

Walls, floors, framing, supports, and other components that were stable at the beginning of the project may become unstable after adjoining materials or structural members are removed.

Employees should not work in areas where weakened or deteriorated structural components create a hazard until appropriate corrective measures have been taken.

Where necessary, shoring, bracing, temporary supports, restricted-access areas, or other controls should be established.

Structural components should not be removed in a sequence that creates uncontrolled instability or places employees in the potential collapse zone.

Continuing Competent-Person Inspections

Demolition safety does not end with the initial engineering survey.

Conditions should be evaluated as demolition progresses because removal of walls, floors, framing, equipment, or other components can create new hazards.

A competent person should perform inspections required for the demolition operation and identify hazards associated with weakened floors or walls, loosened material, unstable structures, changing access, and other conditions.

Employees should not be permitted to work where identified structural hazards remain uncontrolled.

Utility Identification and Control

Electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines can create serious hazards during demolition.

Before demolition begins, applicable service lines should be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled outside the building line as required, and affected utility companies should be notified in advance.

Where utilities must remain in service, the lines should be appropriately relocated or protected.

Demolition planning should also consider utilities that may not appear on available drawings or records.

Employees should immediately report unidentified piping, wiring, conduits, tanks, or other systems discovered during demolition.

Hazardous Materials and Unknown Building Conditions

Buildings scheduled for demolition may contain hazardous materials that are not immediately visible.

Potential hazards may include:

• Asbestos-containing materials.
• Lead-containing coatings.
• Silica-containing concrete and masonry.
• Chemicals
• Flammable or combustible materials.
• Refrigerants
• Process residues.
• Contaminated piping or equipment.
• Mold or biological contamination.
• Other hazardous substances.

Before employees disturb suspect materials, applicable hazards should be evaluated and appropriate controls established.

Pipes, tanks, vessels, or equipment that may have contained hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives, flammable materials, or similar substances should be evaluated before demolition activities disturb them.

Asbestos Awareness and Abatement

Older buildings and structures may contain asbestos in insulation, flooring, roofing, fireproofing, mastics, pipe coverings, cement products, and other materials.

Demolition contractors should determine whether asbestos hazards may be present before disturbing suspect materials.

The level of employee training, exposure controls, regulated areas, respiratory protection, protective clothing, work practices, and other requirements depends on the work being performed and applicable asbestos requirements.

Employees who are not trained and authorized to disturb asbestos-containing or presumed asbestos-containing materials should not perform such work.

Lead Exposure

Demolition of older structures can disturb lead-containing paint, coatings, pipes, equipment, and other materials.

Activities such as cutting, grinding, torch work, abrasive blasting, mechanical demolition, and material handling may create airborne lead exposure.

Where employees may be exposed to lead, the contractor should evaluate the exposure and implement applicable engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection, hygiene measures, training, medical surveillance, and other required protective measures.

Silica Exposure and Dust Control

Concrete, masonry, brick, block, mortar, tile, and similar materials may contain crystalline silica.

Demolition activities capable of generating respirable crystalline silica may include:

• Jackhammering
• Saw cutting.
• Grinding
• Crushing
• Drilling
• Chipping
• Mechanical demolition.
• Cleanup of silica-containing debris.

The company’s Silica Exposure Program should establish applicable engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection, housekeeping procedures, training, and other required measures.

Dust suppression and collection methods should be incorporated into demolition planning where appropriate.

Fall Protection

Demolition can create fall hazards that did not exist when the structure was intact.

Removal of walls, floors, stairs, railings, roofs, and other structural components can expose employees to:

• Unprotected edges.
• Floor openings.
• Wall openings.
• Elevator shafts.
• Stair openings.
• Roof edges.
• Leading edges.
• Damaged walking surfaces.
• Other lower levels.

Fall hazards should be identified as demolition progresses, and appropriate fall-protection systems should be established before employees are exposed.

Floor openings not being used for material disposal should be appropriately covered or otherwise protected as required.

Stairs, Passageways and Ladders

Safe access becomes particularly important during demolition because normal building access may be removed, damaged, blocked, or made unsafe as work progresses.

Designated stairs, passageways, and ladders should be maintained for employee access.

Access routes should be inspected and adjusted as demolition progresses.

Employees should not use stairways, floors, ladders, or passageways that have become structurally unsafe.

Falling Objects and Controlled Access Areas

Demolition operations can expose employees and others to falling structural components, tools, debris, glass, and other materials.

Areas where falling materials could strike employees should be controlled.

Depending on the operation, controls may include:

• Barricades.
• Warning signs.
• Restricted-access zones.
• Overhead protection.
• Controlled material-removal procedures.
• Debris chutes.
• Scheduling or sequencing of work.
• Personal protective equipment.

Employees should not be permitted beneath active demolition operations unless the work method and appropriate protection allow the area to be occupied safely.

Debris Chutes and Material Removal

Demolition debris should be removed using methods appropriate for the structure and work being performed.

Chutes, floor openings, mechanical equipment, containers, and other material-removal methods should be established and used in accordance with applicable requirements.

When material is dropped through floor openings, access to the area below should be controlled.

Openings used for debris disposal should be protected to prevent employees, equipment, or materials from unintentionally entering the opening.

Accumulated debris should not be permitted to overload floors or other structural components.

Removal of Walls and Masonry

Walls and masonry sections should be removed in a manner that maintains structural stability and protects employees from falling or collapsing material.

Demolition planning should consider:

• Wall height.
• Lateral support.
• Adjacent structures.
• Floor capacity.
• Openings
• Weather conditions.
• Employee positioning.
• Material accumulation.
• Demolition sequence.

Walls left standing at the end of a shift should remain in a stable condition.

Employees should not work where an unsupported or weakened wall could collapse onto them.

Floor Removal

Removal of floors can significantly affect the structural stability of a building and create openings, falling-object hazards, and unsafe walking surfaces.

Work should be sequenced to prevent uncontrolled collapse and protect employees working above and below the demolition area.

Safe work platforms or walkways should be provided where required, and access to areas below active floor-removal operations should be restricted.

Debris and materials should be managed so that remaining floors are not overloaded.

Steel and Structural Demolition

Demolition of steel-framed structures requires careful sequencing and control of structural components.

Structural members should be dismantled in a manner that maintains stability and prevents uncontrolled movement.

Where cranes or other hoisting equipment are used, applicable crane and rigging requirements should be followed.

Employees should remain clear of suspended loads, shifting structural members, and areas where falling or swinging components could create a struck-by or caught-between hazard.

Mechanical Demolition

Excavators, loaders, cranes, demolition attachments, and other heavy equipment may be used to remove structures or process demolition debris.

Mechanical demolition planning should address:

• Equipment selection.
• Ground conditions.
• Equipment positioning.
• Structural capacity.
• Collapse zones.
• Employee exclusion zones.
• Falling materials.
• Overhead power lines.
• Underground utilities.
• Equipment inspection.
• Operator qualification or authorization.
• Spotters and communication where necessary.

Employees who are not necessary for the operation should remain outside areas that could be adversely affected by mechanical demolition.

As demolition progresses, continuing inspections should identify weakened structures, loosened materials, and other hazards before employees are allowed to enter affected areas.

Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment

Demolition sites may contain excavators, skid-steer loaders, loaders, forklifts, telehandlers, trucks, material handlers, and other mobile equipment.

Safety procedures should address:

• Equipment inspections.
• Operator responsibilities.
• Seat-belt use.
• Blind spots.
• Pedestrian exposure.
• Equipment stability.
• Safe travel routes.
• Attachments
• Loading and unloading.
• Maintenance and repair.

Pedestrian and equipment traffic should be separated where practical.

Employees should not enter equipment operating zones unless appropriate communication and controls have been established.

Cranes, Rigging and Hoisting

Demolition contractors may use cranes and rigging to remove structural members, mechanical equipment, tanks, concrete sections, and other heavy materials.

Applicable procedures should address:

• Crane setup.
• Ground conditions.
• Operator requirements.
• Rigging inspection.
• Qualified riggers and signal persons where required.
• Load control.
• Rated capacities.
• Suspended-load hazards.
• Tag lines where appropriate.
• Communication
• Overhead electrical hazards.
• Controlled-access areas.

The demolition sequence should account for how structural components will react when disconnected and lifted.

Hand and Power Tools

Selective and interior demolition may involve extensive use of saws, grinders, drills, jackhammers, chipping hammers, pneumatic tools, pry bars, and other hand and power tools.

Tools should be selected for the work, maintained in safe condition, and used according to manufacturer requirements.

Applicable procedures should address:

• Flying particles.
• Cutting hazards.
• Silica dust.
• Electrical hazards.
• Pneumatic pressure.
• Vibration.
• Kickback.
• Tool inspection.
• Required PPE.

Employees should not use damaged tools or bypass safety devices.

Welding, Cutting and Hot Work

Demolition frequently requires cutting structural steel, piping, tanks, equipment, and other materials.

Before hot work begins, employees should determine whether the material or equipment being cut may contain hazardous substances or residual pressure.

Hot-work procedures should address:

• Fire prevention.
• Combustible materials.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Fire watches where required.
• Compressed-gas cylinders.
• Ventilation
• PPE.
• Fumes and gases.
• Confined spaces.
• Coatings on metal surfaces.
• Containers and process equipment.

Tanks, vessels, piping, or equipment that contained flammable or hazardous materials should not be cut until hazards have been appropriately evaluated and controlled.

Lockout/Tagout and Hazardous Energy

Industrial and selective demolition can expose employees to electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, chemical, gravity, and other hazardous-energy sources.

Equipment and systems should be evaluated before employees begin dismantling, cutting, disconnecting, or removing them.

Applicable hazardous-energy procedures should address isolation, lockout/tagout, stored energy, verification, coordination with the host employer, and safe restoration or permanent disconnection.

Employees should not assume that equipment is de-energized simply because a facility or portion of a structure is scheduled for demolition.

Confined Spaces

Demolition contractors may encounter tanks, pits, vaults, crawl spaces, vessels, utility structures, and other confined spaces.

Potential hazards may include oxygen deficiency, toxic atmospheres, flammable atmospheres, engulfment, hazardous energy, restricted access, and structural instability.

Confined spaces should be identified and evaluated before employees enter them.

Where applicable, entry procedures, atmospheric testing, ventilation, permits, attendants, rescue provisions, and employee training should be established.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards associated with the demolition operation.

Depending on the work, PPE may include:

• Hard hats.
• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Face shields.
• Work gloves.
• Cut-resistant gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection.
• Protective clothing.
• Fall-protection equipment.

PPE requirements should be reassessed as demolition conditions and employee exposures change.

Hearing Conservation and Noise

Jackhammers, saws, heavy equipment, demolition attachments, grinders, pneumatic tools, and other demolition equipment can produce hazardous noise.

Employers should evaluate employee noise exposure and implement applicable controls.

Where required, a Hearing Conservation Program should address noise monitoring, hearing protection, training, audiometric testing, and other applicable requirements.

Fire Prevention and Flammable Materials

Demolition can expose previously concealed combustible materials, damaged electrical systems, flammable residues, fuel, compressed gases, and ignition sources.

Fire-prevention planning should consider:

• Hot work.
• Fuel storage.
• Flammable liquids.
• Compressed-gas cylinders.
• Temporary power.
• Combustible debris.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Emergency access.
• Building fire-protection systems that may be taken out of service.

Changes to fire-protection systems or emergency access should be coordinated as demolition progresses.

Protection of the Public and Adjacent Property

Demolition operations may occur next to sidewalks, roads, occupied buildings, businesses, residences, or other public areas.

The contractor should evaluate hazards that could affect people outside the immediate work area.

Controls may include:

• Fencing.
• Barricades.
• Signs.
• Covered walkways.
• Controlled-access zones.
• Traffic control.
• Dust suppression.
• Debris containment.
• Falling-object protection.
• Equipment separation.
• Coordination with property owners and other affected parties.

Adjacent structures should also be considered when demolition could affect their stability.

Job Safety Analysis for Demolition Work

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA) can help demolition contractors identify hazards and establish controls before individual operations begin.

Demolition JSAs may address tasks such as:

• Interior selective demolition.
• Structural demolition.
• Wall removal.
• Floor removal.
• Concrete demolition.
• Steel dismantling.
• Mechanical demolition.
• Saw cutting.
• Jackhammer operation.
• Material removal.
• Debris loading.
• Heavy-equipment operation.
• Crane and rigging operations.
• Hot work.
• Work at heights.
• Hazardous-material disturbance.

The JSA should reflect the actual task and jobsite conditions.

Because demolition conditions can change quickly, the JSA should be reviewed when the structure, work method, equipment, sequence, or other significant conditions change.

Additional Safety Programs for Demolition Contractors

Not every demolition contractor performs the same work or requires the same safety programs.

Depending on the company’s operations, additional programs may include:

• Aerial and Boom Lift Safety.
• Arc Flash/NFPA 70E.
• Asbestos Awareness or Abatement.
• Backhoe and Loader Safety.
• Barriers and Signage.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Cold Stress.
• Compressed Air Safety.
• Compressed Gas Cylinders.
• Confined Space.
• Crane Safety.
• Driving and Fleet Safety.
• Dropped Object Prevention.
• Drug and Alcohol Programs.
• Excavation, Trenching and Shoring.
• Fall Protection.
• Fatigue Management.
• Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
• Forklift Safety.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment.
• Lead Exposure or Awareness.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Overhead Power Line Safety.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Rigging and Material Handling.
• Scaffolding
• Scissor Lift Safety.
• Silica Exposure.
• Spill Prevention and Response.
• Traffic Control and Flagger Safety.
• Underground Utilities.
• Vehicle Maintenance.
• Welding, Cutting and Hot Work.
• Working Around the Public.
• Working in Occupied Areas.
• Working Alone.
• Other programs applicable to the company’s demolition operations.

The objective is not to include every possible program. Safety programs should be selected because they reasonably apply to the company’s employees, demolition methods, equipment, structures, materials, and exposures.

Demolition Contractors Working at Occupied Facilities

Selective demolition, remodeling, and renovation may occur while portions of a building or facility remain occupied.

Additional planning may be necessary to protect occupants, customer employees, visitors, and other contractors.

Considerations may include:

• Separation of demolition areas.
• Dust containment.
• Noise.
• Building access.
• Emergency exits.
• Utility interruptions.
• Fire-protection systems.
• Falling objects.
• Hazardous materials.
• Equipment movement.
• Debris-removal routes.
• Work schedules.
• Communication with the facility owner.

Demolition hazards should be contained within the controlled work area to the extent feasible.

Demolition Toolbox Talks and Ongoing Safety Communication

Demolition conditions change as structures are dismantled and materials are removed.

Toolbox talks can reinforce safety procedures and address hazards associated with current operations.

Useful demolition toolbox-talk topics may include:

• Structural stability.
• Falling objects.
• Asbestos and lead awareness.
• Heavy equipment.
• Fall protection.
• Hot work.
• Housekeeping.
• Electrical hazards.
• Utility control.
• Hand and power tools.
• Respiratory protection.
• Emergency procedures.

Toolbox talks supplement required training but do not replace training specifically required by applicable OSHA standards.

Demolition Safety Manual vs. Site-Specific Safety Plan

A Demolition Contractor Safety Manual establishes the company’s overall safety policies, programs, and procedures.

A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) applies relevant requirements to the conditions of a particular demolition project.

For example, the company safety manual may contain its Demolition, Fall Protection, Silica, Asbestos, Lead, Heavy Equipment, Respiratory Protection, and Emergency Action procedures. Project-specific planning can then address the actual structure, engineering survey, demolition sequence, utilities, adjacent buildings, hazardous materials, equipment locations, collapse zones, emergency arrangements, and other conditions unique to the project.

The company safety manual therefore provides the foundation for project-specific demolition planning.

Building a Demolition Contractor Safety Manual

A practical Demolition Contractor Safety Manual should reflect the demolition methods and environments the company’s employees actually encounter.

When determining which programs to include, consider:

• Structural demolition.
• Selective or interior demolition.
• Residential or commercial structures.
• Industrial demolition.
• Concrete and masonry removal.
• Structural steel dismantling.
• Heavy and mobile equipment.
• Cranes and rigging.
• Work at heights.
• Hazardous materials.
• Silica-generating activities.
• Utilities and hazardous energy.
• Hot work.
• Confined spaces.
• Excavations.
• Work at occupied facilities.
• Public and adjacent-property exposures.
• Applicable OSHA standards.
• Customer and contractor-prequalification requirements.

Selecting programs according to actual operations produces a safety manual that addresses the contractor’s real hazards without filling the manual with unrelated programs.

Customized Safety Manuals for Demolition Contractors

Demolition contractors can request a customized Construction Safety Manual containing the Core Safety Programs and additional programs applicable to their demolition operations, equipment, structures, materials, hazards, and workplace environments.

Programs can be selected according to the company’s actual work, allowing the manual to address structural demolition, selective demolition, interior demolition, mechanical demolition, dismantling, concrete removal, industrial work, or other applicable operations without including large numbers of unrelated safety programs.

Individual safety programs can also be selected when a demolition contractor needs to add or update a particular program within an existing manual.