5 . DEMOLITION METHODS
• without additional support from below , or
• with specified propping to be applied from below so that the loads carried do not exceed their manufacturer ’ s specified rating
Any powered mobile plant used in demolition work should be moved between suspended floor slabs by hoist equipment or an appropriately fabricated ramp .
If load shifting equipment is to be used on suspended floors as part of the demolition work , a notification must be made to the regulator ( see section 3.1 of this Code ).
When using powered mobile plant on suspended floors , the person conducting the business or undertaking should review the demolition SWMS to confirm that :
• where plant has been specified in the SWMS , another piece of plant of the same type and usage may be substituted for it provided that the substituted equipment is neither larger nor heavier than the specified equipment
• effective communication will be maintained between the equipment operator and the demolition supervisor while the equipment is operating
• debris is progressively removed from each floor
• buffers are used to prevent the plant from falling over the edge where plant is used to push / tip materials into a nominated areas , and
• guarding , hoarding and / or exclusion zones are used to protect persons against the risk of being struck by falling debris and materials .
Load shifting equipment should , so far as is reasonably practicable , be located on a beam . Skid steer loaders using a breaker may not be appropriate on suspended floors with their limited reach .
It is important to consider the load created when large or multiple pieces of plant are used for this purpose so as to ensure that any partially demolished structure can support the loads . For example , the use of an excavator with a hydraulic rock breaker or pulverising attachment to break up walls and floors while other load shifting equipment is used to shift the debris on a suspended floor will result in a higher load . Because of the weight of the plant , the vibration caused by its operation and the build-up of debris , careful design and planning is needed to prevent a premature collapse of the structure .
DEMOLITION OF WALLS When mobile plant ( e . g . an excavator with hydraulic rock breaker ) is used to demolish walls , at least 900 mm of the wall being demolished should be left intact above the floor level to provide a protective barrier at the perimeter of the building and around all lift wells , stair wells , light wells and any other places where persons or objects could fall . The remaining wall can later be safely demolished from the floor below . All remaining sections of walls should be identified and highlighted as buffers for edge protection .
Guarding , hoarding and / or the exclusion zones should be used to protect workers and / or the public against the risk of being struck by falling debris and materials .
Walls should not be laterally loaded by accumulated rubble or debris , to the extent that they are in danger of collapse .
USING PLANT AND ATTACHMENTS All plant attachments should be pinned and secured as per manufacturer ’ s requirements . The plant fittings used in demolition should be designed and fit for purpose . To avoid damaging the equipment itself and to prevent the risk of plant overturning , equipment should not be overloaded .
CODE OF PRACTICE | DEMOLITION WORK 29