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Demolition

SWMS · SWMS-10078

  • 9 job steps
  • Version 10
  • Demolition
  • Reads on any phone

This Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the hazards and controls for safely carrying out manual and mechanical demolition of structures and equipment, and the control measures for safe operations and compliance with safety standards.

It covers nine job steps: planning, establishing a demolition work plan, silica training, de-commissioning and disconnecting services, establishing on-site systems, the environment, mechanical or manual demolition, monitoring and inspection, and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work involving asbestos, pressurised gas mains, chemical lines and energised electrical installations, and for electrical equipment, elevated work, slips, trips and falls, and exposure to silica dust.

It suits construction companies, demolition specialists, project managers overseeing demolition activities, and safety officers and consultants focused on construction safety.

Preview of the Demolition SWMS

Demolition

SWMSVersion 10
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal Contractor (PC)
—
PC Address
—
PC phone
—
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job Site Address
—
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

  • Asbestos
  • Gas MainsPressurised gas distribution mains or piping
  • Hazardous LinesChemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
  • Energised ElectricalEnergised electrical installations or services
  • Structural AlterationsStructures or buildings involving structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
  • Hazardous AtmosphereWork in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere

Planning and Preparation

Planning / Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training / Licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor / Review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Breathing Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Planning

    • Hazard

      Lack of planning - potential injury, property damage &/or environmental incident

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Liaise with the building owner and obtain as applicable:

        • Drawings

        • Site survey

        • Plan of services

        • Structural engineer report

        • Existing defects

        • All chemicals, volatile fuels and gases deactivated

        • Hazardous Materials Registers (asbestos/lead)

        • Relationship to surrounding properties

        • Landscape Plan.

        • Vermin has been removed

        • Ensure vacant buildings are secure against fire risk.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Regulatory breach

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • All notices, permits and licences are in place before work commencing

      • Ensure that written notice is given to the regulator at least 5 days before demolition work commences in the following cases

        1. Demolition of a structure, or a part of a structure that is loadbearing and is at least 6 metres in height

        2. Demolition work involving load shifting machinery on a suspended floor

        3. Demolition work involving explosives.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Unpermitted work

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Ensure all permits are issued

      • A “Competent Person must complete the Permit.”

      • Permit to be signed by all relevant personnel before work commences and displayed in the work area at all times.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Exposure to silica dust

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Training and Information provided to workers on respirable crystalline silica (RCS) should include:

        • Identification of RCS dust through Material/Safety Datasheet (M/SDS) or labels

        • Dust exposure prevention strategies

        • Checking controls are working and using them

        • When and how to use respiratory protective equipment and what to do if something goes wrong (Including worker respirator fit and check processes).

      After controlsNot rated
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Untrained &/or unlicensed workers

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • All contractors and their workers must have relevant training and licensing

      • Liaise with contractors to confirm their SWMS is suitable and available for review

      • All workers are to work under the applicable contractor SWMS

      • If a conflict in controls is identified between this SWMS and a contractor SWMS, stop work until the relevant SWMS are amended, and workers informed of changes.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

8 more job steps, from Establish a Demolition Work Plan (DWP) to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

9 job steps

  1. PlanningPlan the demolition and get the notices, permits and contractor SWMS in place.
  2. Establish a Demolition Work Plan (DWP)Write a demolition work plan covering methods, sequence and safety measures.
  3. Provide training on the health effects associated with RCSTrain workers on the health effects of respirable crystalline silica.
  4. De-commission & disconnect servicesDisconnect the services to be demolished and protect those that stay.
  5. Establish on-site systemsRestrict access and set up the controls for the on-site hazards.
  6. EnvironmentManage the noise, dust, waste, fuel, water, vegetation, heritage and fauna effects.
  7. Demolition – mechanical &/or manualDemolish the structure by mechanical or manual methods, following the demolition plan.
  8. Monitor & inspectMonitor and inspect the site as work progresses for changes in hazards.
  9. Emergency responseCall 000, follow the site emergency procedures, give first aid and report the incident.

Hazards it covers

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