White Card Update: Dangers of Manual Demolition forConstruction workers

Demolition is a dangerous part of construction work and manual demolition in particular cancause serious injuries to the workers involved. The most common problem that affects workersduring a manual demolition is the unexpected collapse of the wall being demolished.

Earlier this year a wall which was being demolished manually unexpectedly collapsed on aworker in Sydney causing his death. The bottom section of the wall had been broken with asledge hammer and the entire wall was to be removed to enlarge an area. The wall was weakbecause the bottom section had been knocked out so the wall collapsed onto the worker andcrushed him.

Workers should be aware of the correct sequence that needs to be followed during a manualdemolition. This type of task involves working with dangerous tools that also can present ahazard to workers if not used correctly. These include jackhammers, sledge hammers and pickswhich you should be trained on before using. Masonry and brickwork should be taken downevenly and demolished in reverse order to their construction.

Employers and contractors should ensure that workers are competent and have receivedtraining and instructions on safe demolition methods before even starting demolition. Askworkers to produce competency certificates to prove that they are certified. Employers alsoneed to ensure that the process is supervised by a person qualified and competent to do so.

When removing entire wall sections using manual demolition methods that incorporate handtools, such as jackhammers, sledge hammers and picks, workers should avoid weakening thewall. Weakening the wall was the cause of death for the worker in Sydney earlier this year.Weakening of the wall can be avoided by never taking down multiple rows of brick at once orstarting at the bottom of the wall. Workers should remove the top row of bricks using a hammerand chisel and finish an entire row before starting the next.

Another possible hazardous situation may occur when removing a portion of a wall wheremasonry will remain above the opening. This is often done to install a door or window. Workersshould ensure the upper area of masonry should be supported prior to commencing demolitionand the demolition should commence at the top of the intended opening.

1 / 2

Bystanders and workers on the site that are not involved in the demolition should be kept awayfrom the area. This involves setting up exclusion zones to keep unauthorised people outside ofthe area where the wall may collapse or debris may fall.

Employers should consult workers when developing a safe work method statement beforebeginning the demolition work as is done with all dangerous construction activities.

Part of working safely on a construction site involves workers wearing the appropriate PPE andemployers providing this PPE and training on it. Safety glasses, a dust mask, gloves andlong-sleeved clothes should be worn as protection from flying objects and dust. When thedemolition process produces excessive noise, hearing protection should be worn. If thedemolition is being done at a height, fall protection should be in place and operating effectively.Workers must never work from the top of a wall that is being demolished.

A wall should not be permitted to stand unless it is effectively supported against collapse.Before demolishing a wall, it is important to ensure that the wall is not a load bearing wall and isnot providing support for other walls.

Undoubtedly the worker that was killed earlier this year was not sufficiently trained on how todemolish a wall safely. Sadly it is too late for him, however other construction workers shouldnot fall victim to the same fate. Do not attempt to demolish a wall if you are unsure of how tosafely do so. Also if a supervisor or superior asks you to do something that could put your safetyin jeopardy, do not do it because your life is worth more than any job.

http://www.whitecardonline.com.au/blog/my-category/white-card-update-dangers-of-manual-demolition-for-construction-workers/

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

2 / 2