3. PLANNING THE DEMOLITION WORK
TECHNICAL STANDARDS Demolition specifications and procedures should be designed in accordance with acceptable engineering principles and published technical standards. Engineering principles would include, for example, mathematical or scientific procedures outlined in an engineering reference manual or standard.
3.4 Safe Work Method Statements
If the demolition work is or involves high risk construction work, a person conducting a business or undertaking must prepare a SWMS before the work starts. The SWMS must:
• identify the type of high risk construction work being done
• specify the health and safety hazards and risks arising from that work
• describe how the risks will be controlled
• describe how the control measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed, and
• be developed in consultation with workers and their representatives who are carrying out the high risk construction work.
One SWMS can be prepared to cover all high risk construction work being carried out at the workplace by contractors and / or subcontractors. For example, demolition work might involve a number of types of high risk construction work, including work that:
• involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
• involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos
• involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
• is carried out on or near a confined space
• involves the use of explosives
• is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
• is carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
• is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services
• is carried out at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant.
In this case, the contractors or subcontractors can consult and cooperate to prepare one SWMS. Alternatively they can prepare separate SWMS. If they choose to do this they must consult with each other to ensure all SWMS are consistent and they are not creating unintended additional risks at the workplace.
Further guidance on SWMS and an example SWMS template is available in the Code of Practice: Construction Work.
12 CODE OF PRACTICE | DEMOLITION WORK