Demolition

The next Steps cover Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Demolition. Where appropriate, we have referenced the code from Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

The topics we will cover in this Navitent are:

-Hazards
-Required Permits
-Pre-Demolition Survey
-Utilities
-Demolition Techniques
-Crane Demolition Work

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Hazards

The primary hazards associated with demolition are:

-Falls from elevated work surfaces

-Exposure to hazardous air contaminants

-Being struck by falling or collapsing structures

-Electrical hazards

Regulations to address these hazards will be addressed in the Steps 3 through 7 of this Navitent.

Required Permits

A Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) permit is required for demolition of any building or structure more than 36 feet high.

The Project Administrator shall hold a Project Permit and all other employers directly engaged in demolition or dismantling activity shall hold an Annual Permit.

Pre-Demolition Survey

A pre-demolition survey must be made to determine whether the planned work will cause:

-Any structure to collapse

-Worker exposure to hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives, flammable materials, or similarly dangerous substances

-Worker exposure to asbestos

-Worker exposure to lead

-Worker exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals, as specified in General Industry Safety Orders (GISOs) Article 110 Regulated Carcinogens

-Worker exposure to silica

Utilities

Utilities to the structure being demolished must be turned off or protected from damage.

Demolition Techniques

Demolition techniques include the following:

-Entrances to multi-story buildings must be protected by a sidewalk shed or a canopy

-The demolition work on floors and exterior walls must progress from top to bottom (Exception: demolition with explosives and for cutting chute holes is not required to progress from top to bottom.)

-The employer must check continually for hazards created by weakening of the structure’s members. If such hazard occurs, it must be corrected before workers may continue

-Floor openings must have curbs and stop logs to prevent equipment from running over the edge

-Wall openings must be guarded except on the ground floor and the floor being demolished

-Walkways not less than 20 inches wide must be provided as a means of access across joists, beams, or girders

-Demolition debris must be kept wet to prevent dust from rising or other equivalent steps taken

-Whenever waste material is dropped to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building, enclosed chutes shall be used unless the area is effectively protected by barricades, fences, or equivalent means. Signs shall be posted to warn employees of the hazards of falling debris

-Chutes or chute sections that are at an angle of more than 45° from the horizontal must be entirely enclosed except for openings equipped with closures at or about floor level for the insertion of materials

-When chutes are used to load trucks, they must be fully enclosed. Gates must be installed in each chute at or near the discharge end. A qualified person must be assigned to control the operation of the gate and the backing and loading of trucks

-Any chute opening into which employees dump debris by hand must be protected by a guardrail

-When debris is dropped through holes in a floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42 inches high and not less than 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above. Signs that warn of the hazard of falling materials shall be posted at each level. Removal of debris shall not be permitted in the lower drop area until handling of debris ceases above

Crane Demolition Work

Crane demolition work is guided by these regulations:

-The wrecking ball’s weight must not exceed 50% of the clamshell rating or 25% of the rope-breaking strength

-The swing of the boom should be limited to 30° left or right

-The wrecking ball must be attached with a swivel-type connection

-The load line and ball must be inspected at least twice each shift

-Outriggers are required when using a wrecking ball (truck cranes)

How much did this Navitent help you to understand the Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Demolition, including:

-Hazards
-Required Permits
-Pre-Demolition Survey
-Utilities
-Demolition Techniques
-Crane Demolition Work

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