3 . PLANNING THE DEMOLITION WORK
Type of licence
No licence required
What asbestos can be removed ?
Can remove :
• up to 10m 2 of non-friable asbestos or ACM
• ACD that :
is associated with the removal of less than 10m 2 of non-friable asbestos or ACM , or
is not associated with the removal of friable or non-friable asbestos and is only a minor contamination .
Further information on the duties associated when removing asbestos is available in the Code of Practice : How to Safely Remove Asbestos .
3.7 Adjacent or adjoining buildings
No part of the demolition process should adversely affect the structural integrity of any other building . Consideration may be given to the use of shoring and underpinning and to the effects of changes in soil conditions as a result of the demolition work .
Lateral support for adjoining structures should be equal to or greater than any provided by the structure to be demolished . Before the existing lateral support is disturbed , provision should be made for the erection of temporary supports , which will need to be checked for effectiveness as the demolition proceeds .
It is also important that other buildings in and around the demolition site are not adversely affected by vibration or concussion during the demolition process . Special precautions may need to be taken in the vicinity of hospitals and other buildings containing equipment sensitive to shock and vibration .
No part of the demolition process should cause flooding or water penetration to any adjoining building .
3.8 Essential services
One of the most important elements of pre-demolition planning is the location and disconnection of all essential services .
Essential services include the supply of gas , water , sewerage , telecommunications , electricity , chemicals , fuel and refrigerant in pipes or lines . The principal contractor must ensure , so far as is reasonably practicable , that essential services at the workplace are without risks to health and safety .
Any construction work that is carried out :
• on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
• on or near chemical , fuel or refrigerant lines
• on or near energised electrical installations
is defined by the WHS Regulations as ‘ high risk construction work ’ and a SWMS must be prepared before this work commences .
14 CODE OF PRACTICE | DEMOLITION WORK