Construction Work - Demolition
The regulations covering construction work are contained in Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.
Hazards associated with demolition
Demolition work is considered high-risk construction work and is characterised by a range of very hazardous working environments.
The hazards associated with demolition work in construction include:
- the instability of the structure;
- poor or excessive loading on floors;
- loading against walls;
- unprotected openings;
- glass fragmentation;
- adverse weather conditions;
- obstructed site access;
- access within structures;
- the discontinuation of services such as electricity; and
- the presence of asbestos
For further information in relation to hazards associated with construction see the Construction fact sheet.
Risks associated with demolition work
The construction site is a dangerous workplace because it involves high risk activities such as demolition. On average one building worker is killed each week in Australia. The construction industry has the highest percentage of work related injuries presenting to emergency departments than any other industry with more than 1 in 5 construction workers having some kind of workplace injury.
Some possible injuries and health effects include:
- crush injuries, fractures and contusions caused by falling objects or debris;
- fractures, sprains and strains as a result of a fall from height;
- injures resulting from the use of explosives; and
- asbestos related disease
Employer’s duties
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act) employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as is practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
To ensure that the risks are managed in accordance with the duties under the Act, employers should systematically manage the risks to health and safety that arise from demolition work.
Employers can systematically manage the risks by undertaking the following four step management process:
- identification of the hazard
- assessment of the risks associated with the hazards;
- control of the identified risks; and
- review of the process.
When undertaking risk management, employers must follow the relevant Commonwealth regulations and give consideration to codes of practice. If no regulation or code exists in relation to a specific hazard or risk, employers should choose a reliable source of guidance to follow.
Relevant Commonwealth Regulation
Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 specifies mandatory requirements for all employers in control of a construction project to protect persons from the hazards associated with construction work. Demolition is defined as high-risk construction work under the regulations and therefore the employer has further duties under Part 12 in relation to this type of activity.
It is the responsibility of the employer in control of the construction project to ensure that the stability of the structure is monitored and maintained during demolition work.
Employers must ensure that individuals engaged in demolition have the relevant expertise and qualifications to undertake the work. In most cases the approval process for demolition of existing structures will require planning and approval from the relevant building authority.
Other parts of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 that may be applicable are:
- Part 2 Competency Requirements and Certification Standards for users and Operators of Industrial Equipment
- Part 3 Occupational Noise
- Part 4 Plant
- Part 5 Manual handling
- Part 6 Hazardous substances
- Part 7 Confined Spaces
- Part 8 Storage and handling of Dangerous Goods
- Part 10 Electricity
- Part 13 Falls from 2 metres
Relevant Commonwealth Codes of Practice
In particular, the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008:
- Part 1 - Risk Management
- Part 3 - Noise
- Part 5 - Vibration
- Part 10 - Asbestos in Situ (under development)
- Part 12 - Hazardous Substances
- Part 13 - Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF)
- Part 15 - Carcinogenic Substances
- Part 19 - Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight
NOTE: Asbestos and asbestos containing products are prohibited dangerous goods substances. Before any work on refurbishment or demolition of an existing building or plant that may contain asbestos the building or plant should be inspected for asbestos and asbestos products
Relevant Guidance Material
- Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos (ASCC) [NOHSC 2002 (2005)]
- Code of practice for Demolition - Victoria Worksafe
- Safe Demolition Work Code of Practice – ACT Workcover
These Australian Standards are available from: International Standards on-line at SIA Global:
- AS 2601 2001 section 2.2 The demolition of structure
- AS/NZS 3012 (2003) Electrical installations- construction and demolition sites
Further Information
For further information about this fact sheet, please contact Comcare on the general enquiry line 1300 366 979 or e-mail OHS.Help@comcare.gov.au.
Page last updated:June 13, 2008