Demolition Planning and Engineering Survey Safety

Key Hazards

• Unplanned collapse of weakened floors, walls, roofs, or framing
• Live electrical, gas, water, steam, sewer, or communication services
• Unknown asbestos, lead, silica, chemicals, or biological hazards
• Adjacent structures or public areas affected by demolition
• Fire, explosion, or flooding during preparatory work
• Equipment and methods incompatible with the structure's condition

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Demolition Planning and Engineering Survey Safety requires workers to recognize the task-specific hazards before work begins and to use the controls established for the project.

Before demolition begins, a competent person should complete and document the required engineering survey of the structure and evaluate adjacent structures that could expose workers or the public.

The survey should identify damaged or altered framing, unsupported loads, deteriorated floors and walls, fire or water damage, and any condition that could cause premature collapse.

Electrical, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other services should be located and shut off, capped, relocated, or otherwise controlled before demolition reaches them.

Hazardous-material and health-hazard assessments should identify asbestos, lead, silica, mold, chemicals, tanks, contaminated areas, and required abatement or exposure controls.

The demolition plan should establish sequence, equipment, access, exclusion zones, debris removal, fire prevention, emergency routes, public protection, and coordination with adjacent occupants and contractors.

Workers should be briefed on hidden hazards, structural limits, no-entry areas, changes from drawings, and the process for reporting unexpected conditions.

Demolition should not begin or should stop when the survey is unavailable, utilities are not controlled, structural conditions differ from the plan, hazardous material is discovered, or collapse protection is inadequate.

Safety Reminders

• Complete the engineering survey before demolition.
• Evaluate adjacent structures and public exposure.
• Locate and control every utility service.
• Assess asbestos, lead, silica, and other health hazards.
• Establish demolition sequence and collapse zones.
• Plan fire prevention and emergency response.
• Stop when actual conditions differ from the plan.

Ask the Crew

• Has the written engineering survey been completed?
• What structural weaknesses and collapse paths were identified?
• Are all utility services located and controlled?
• What hazardous materials or health exposures may be present?
• What change would require the plan to be reevaluated?