Demolition presents multiple risks to plant operators, property owners and passers-by. Read the article below for a few demolition safety tips.
Conduct an environmental assessment to determine the following:
- The impact of the demolition on existing ecosystems. The local council may prohibit you from demolishing the structure if it will cause adverse effects to wildlife.
- The presence of dangerous materials, such as asbestos and silicon inside the building.
- How you will suppress dust at the demolition site. Damping and water curtains are effective ways to reduce dust.
- How to contain noise at the site. For instance, you could use pulverisers instead of implosions or impact breakers.
- The presence of underground water and gas lines.
You may need excavators, bulldozers, wrecking balls and high reach arms to demolish the structure. Demolition equipment must be in good condition. Ask your demolitions contractor to provide inspection records to help you ascertain the equipment's mechanical condition. Plant operators should be advised to inspect the earthmovers daily. Besides, they must observe safety measures such as:
- Do not use demolition equipment such as excavators to lift personnel to elevated places.
- Avoid overhead hazards such as electrical lines and tree branches.
- Earthmovers should not be operated in rainy weather and during storms.
- Use radio frequency detection systems to warn operators and employees of workplace hazards. For instance, the system could alert employees when they are too close to working plant equipment.
Relocate pedestrian walkways and divert traffic to prevent unauthorised personnel from accessing the site. All staff at the site should have protective gear such as helmets, boots, gloves and reflector jackets. Employees working in high places must have fall protection systems. Install braces to ensure the safety of employees that enter the building once demolition works commence. Effect an on-site emergency plan. For example, employees should have emergency contacts. Besides, some of them should know how to give first aid.
Demolition waste can be recycled. For instance, you could sell interior fixtures such as sinks, toilets, curtain rods, windows and doors. Metal bars could be sold to scrap metal dealers for recycling. Concrete can be used as aggregate for the construction of roads and driveways while wood can be used as fuel.
If you do not have a recycling plant in your locality, the waste should be disposed of at an appropriate landfill.
When demolishing structures conduct an environmental assessment, use the right demotion equipment, observe the recommended on-site safety tips and determine how to handle demolition waste.