A - Z of demolition

Here is an article I wrote on demolition safety. Just thought I'd post it here as it is relevant to the theme of this blog:


According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) of the US Department of Labor demolition work is a highly-specialised area of practice in the construction industry and the highest standards of safety should be observed.

OSHA’s Fact Sheet on Demolition and cleanup states:

“Before starting a demolition, the person or persons in charge must adequately prepare for the task with regard to the health and safety of the workers. These preparatory operations involve the overall planning of the demolition job, including the methods to be used to bring the structure down, the equipment necessary to do the job, and the measures to be taken to perform the work safely.

“Before doing any demolition work, inspect available Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and select, wear and use the PPE appropriate for the task.

“Demolition work involves many of the same hazards associated with construction work. However, demolition also poses additional hazards due to unknown factors such as: deviations from the structure’s original design, approved or unapproved modifications that altered the original design, materials hidden within structural members, and unknown strengths or weaknesses of damaged materials. To counter these unknowns, all personnel involved in a demolition project need to be fully aware of these types of hazards and the safety precautions available to control these hazards.”

Malaysia is rapidly industrializing and steps should be taken to review all Demolition Guidelines and make them available for all those involved in the construction industry – from regulators and standard-setters, to architects and engineers, project managers and contractors.

Without an agreed Code of Best Practice, the industry will continue to suffer mishaps and traumas, as witnessed in several accidents lately, including the collapse of the old Jaya Supermarket podium block in Section 14, Petaling Jaya. The site had been targeted for demolition prior to redevelopment work. More such projects will be undertaken from time to time, to ensure continuing urban redevelopment.

From this very informative website, and others, the following ABC of demolition best practices has been compiled as a starting point:


A: All roof cornices or other ornamental stonework should be removed before walls are pulled down.

B: Brace or shore up walls and floors of structures which have been damaged and which workers must enter.

C: Chemicals including hazardous gases, explosives or flammable materials which may have been used in any pipes or tanks within the property should be tested and purged.

D: Demolition of exterior walls and floors should begin at the top of the structure and proceed downwards always. Also, Debris Clearance procedures should be provided for.

E: Engineering surveys must be performed on each structure being considered for demolition prior to demolition, to check the condition of floors, walls etc and to assess the possibility of an unplanned collapse of any portion of the structure. This enables the demolition contraction the opportunity to evaluate the job scope.

Explosives should only be used to set off deliberate collapse. This type of demolition should only be undertaken by qualified persons or specialists such as blasters.

F: Flagging should be done periodically and flaggers (those that provide temporary traffic control) should wear high visibility fluorescent clothing. Additionally, a Fire Plan should also be in place outlining the evacuation procedures for workers on site in the event of a fire.

G: Guidelines should be in place for all forms of construction including demolition works. These guidelines shall cover inspections,

H: Hazards encountered when entering and working in confined spaces are capable of causing illness, injury and also death. Some examples of such spaces include storage tanks, vessels, pits vaults, casings and silos. Accidents occur because of failure to recognize the hazards of working in confined spaces which include danger of explosion, poisoning and asphyxiation.

I: Inspections – prior to demolishment, to ensure structural defects are noted, such as weak mortar joints, cracks and openings in brickwork etc. Also, continuing inspections are required as the work progresses to detect other hazards. Focused inspections are also needed which include walk-around inspections. Such inspections shall be comprehensive. Inventory handling is also needed to ensure there is a complete and detailed list of all materials used on the worksite.

J: Job training is required for all workers on a construction or demolition site – from the flaggers who manage the traffic to equipment operators and workers on foot.

K: Knowledge of safety procedures must be shared with workers, through regular and appropriate communications.

L: Lighting for workers should be appropriate for the task at hand. Where available lighting is insufficient, flares or chemical lighting can be used but glares affecting worker health should be limited.

M: Mechanical demolition works shall be such that no workers shall be permitted in any area when using demolition balls; this is to ensure workers safety is not compromised.

N: A National Emergency Response Plan is also needed, to ensure construction-related disasters are dealt with according to international guidelines.

O: Occupational Health & Safety of workers cannot be compromised. Under the OSH Act of the U.S., employers need to provide each of their employees an employment and place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that can cause harm or death.

P: Planning for demolition work is as important as actually doing the work. All planning should be done by a competent team experienced in demolition work. Additionally, all necessary Permits ought to be applied for and complied with.

Q: There are no quick or short cuts in the construction industry; preparation is vital.

R: Respiratory protection needs to be in place, to ensure worker safety. Risk planning is also important, to ensure preparedness in times of emergency.

S: Signs should be in place eg. Highway and road signs for information, to ensure pedestrians, residents and drivers are kept informed of the work in progress. Also, select appropriate PPE wear for the various tasks.

T: Traffic control plans are required for the movement of vehicles in areas where there are also workers performing other tasks. This includes an internal traffic control plan within the demolition or construction worksite and traffic control devices such as cones, barricades and hoardings.

U: Use enclosed chutes with gates on the discharge end to drop demolition material to the ground or into debris containers.

V: Vehicular safety – vehicles used for transporting explosives, blasting agents and blasting supplies should not be transported with other materials or cargo and there are other restrictions in place regarding handling of such cargo. Workers have also been struck by moving vehicles or mobile equipment

W: Walls should not be allowed to fall on the floors of a building in masses that would exceed the safe carrying capacities of the floors. Also, no wall sections one storey in height or higher, should be permitted to stand alone without bracing. Walls should be left in a stable condition at the end of each work shift.

X: Accidents do happen such as natural disasters, terrorist events, unplanned collapses, etc. The safety of all those who assist in disaster recovery should also be protected through proper procedures and guidelines.

Y: Why do accidents happen? By undertaking a risk assessment of each project or job, many workplace disasters can be avoided.

Z: Zone protection – e.g. use of various styles of concrete, water, sand, collapsible barriers, crash cushions etc are recommended to limit motorist or pedestrian intrusions into the construction work zone.


The above are only some of the key aspects to be considered when undertaking demolition work. A full review of all existing procedures ought to be undertaken by a select committee comprising all key stakeholders and professionals to ensure safe construction practices for future generations.