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