Fire in the Hole – Demolition Safety

Demolition Project Safety Hazards Are Real

Explosions, fires, heavy equipment accidents, dangerous falls, lead, asbestos, silica, heavy metal exposure, poisonous dust…shall I go on? These are real threats demolition contractors face every day on the work site. An emergency action plan is essential for a demolition team to know by heart when the sudden and unexpected happens. Preparation is key. Commercial and residential demolition contractors must also consider public safety in areas surrounding their work site. Noise, vibration, and air-born dust particles from lead, asbestos, or heavy metals can be bothersome, or even dangerous. We’ll see what the experts do to control these issues and to protect their workers and the public.

Contractor Safety Techniques

According to safetyculture.com, best practices call for routine inspections and preventive maintenance of machinery and PPE. Incident history reports should be filed and reviewed to determine future potential risks and hazards, as well. Structural stability during the demolition is a top priority to commercial demolition companies. They frequently deal with many-storied buildings that need special handling to deconstruct. One of those special techniques is munching. The high-reach arm is used to reach and remove whole chunks of a building, usually several stories high. These sections are then lowered to the ground where workers further break it up and remove pieces from the site. This method is newer and now, often preferred over the wrecking ball. The safety factor is much higher with the high-reach arm, and it produces less dust and debris.

More Demolition Safety

Another demolition method is implosion which is sometimes used for large commercial buildings, but actually, less than one percent of building demolitions are implosions. The safety concerns in this instance are the careful placement of the explosives. They are generally placed near support structures to force the building to collapse into itself. Selective demolition by hand is a much safer, if slower, method. It is often used to strip out or deconstruct a building especially when the goal is to recover the maximum amount of material for recycling and reuse. This is a more eco-concious method which allows up to 85% of all materials to be salvaged. These include brick, metal, wood, and concrete. How about the iconic wrecking ball? Yes! It’s still popular and effective. This ball, weighing up to 13,500 pounds, is swung or dropped by a crane. In the wrong hands, this method poses a major safety hazard that could endanger nearby workers or properties. It’s not the best choice to use in confined or heavily populated areas due to the noise and dust it produces.

Whats Law Got to do With it?

According to OSHA.gov the most frequent citations are due to lack of preparation. This accounts for up to three-fourths of citations on demolition worksites. There are four traditional core demolition site planning steps: 1. Injury and Illness Prevention Program 2. Safety Program or HSE Program 3. JHA, Activity Hazard Analysis, or Job Safety Analysis 4. Pre-Task Plan or Pre-Task Safety and Health Plan OSHA likes to see a Pre-Task Plan before any work takes place. These plans “drive proactive safety performance and productivity which keeps your team on schedule and on budget.” according to Hammertech.com. This plan is the OSHA-documented leading indicator of safety performance. The plan should cover these seven elements: Input of your organization’s management and employees Review of accident history Brainstorming sessions Prioritization list tackling the most hazardous of activities first An outline of steps for each task Hazards associated with each step The organization’s mitigation expectations

Yes, the Juice is Worth the Squeeze!

Demolition companies rely heavily on their reputation. Adhering to safety precautions demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to quality work, enhancing the company’s reputation and attracting future clients. Cost Savings are a consideration as well. While implementing safety measures may require initial investment in equipment and training, it ultimately saves money by reducing the likelihood of accidents, associated medical costs, property damage, and potential legal expenses. Worker morale and productivity naturally improve because workers are more likely to feel valued and motivated when they know their safety is a priority. This can lead to better overall job satisfaction. Safety protocols may sound like some boring red tape until you realize how dangerous demolition can be to workers and innocent bystanders. Feeling safe has far-reaching benefits for everyone involved. In essence, prioritizing safety precautions for demolition workers isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding lives, properties, and the environment while upholding professionalism and efficiency in the industry. Plan ahead for the unexpected! Be safe!