Soft Demolition Safe Work Method Statement

Work Health and Safety Regulations require persons conducting businesses to identify presence and location of asbestos before commencing demolition or refurbishment work that may disturb asbestos. For buildings constructed or refurbished before December 2003, an asbestos survey conducted by licensed asbestos assessor is mandatory before any demolition work commences. The survey must be comprehensive, covering all areas subject to demolition including ceiling voids, wall cavities, floor substrates, and any areas where work will disturb building materials. Assessors conduct visual inspection and collect samples of suspected asbestos-containing materials for laboratory analysis by NATA-accredited testing facilities. The survey report documents all identified ACMs with locations, quantities, material type, friability assessment, and condition. Where asbestos is identified, it must be removed by licensed asbestos removalists before other demolition work proceeds - Class A licence for friable asbestos or friable asbestos exceeding 10 square metres, Class B licence for non-friable asbestos exceeding 10 square metres. For bonded non-friable asbestos less than 10 square metres, appropriately trained personnel may conduct removal following strict procedures including wet removal methods, dedicated tools, sealed disposal in labeled bags, and air monitoring. After asbestos removal, independent licensed assessor must conduct clearance inspection and issue clearance certificate confirming all ACMs removed and area safe for other work. Attempting demolition without asbestos survey in pre-2004 buildings constitutes serious WHS breach with penalties potentially exceeding $250,000 for companies. All workers accessing demolition areas must complete asbestos awareness training per Safe Work Australia Code of Practice understanding identification, health risks, and stop-work procedures if unexpected asbestos discovered.

Electrical isolation must be performed by licensed electrician who identifies all circuits serving demolition area, isolates at distribution boards, and verifies isolation effectiveness through testing. Electrician installs lockout devices on circuit breakers preventing re-closure and applies isolation tags showing circuit isolated, date, and person responsible. Never assume isolation is adequate based solely on circuit breaker position - many electrocution incidents occurred when wrong circuits isolated or when multiple circuits served single areas. After isolation at distribution board, test for voltage using voltage detector at multiple locations throughout demolition area confirming zero voltage present at outlets, light fittings, and service points. Test both active and neutral conductors as some installations have switching on neutral creating shock hazard even with active isolated. Implement two-person verification for critical isolations - independent competent person confirms isolation before work authorization. Photograph lockout devices installed providing verification record. Maintain isolation register documenting what is isolated, isolation point location, person responsible, verification test results, and planned restoration date. Lockout devices remain in place throughout entire demolition period. Only the electrician who installed lockout may remove it after confirming all work complete and safe to re-energise. During demolition work, use cable detection equipment before penetrating any surface or removing fixtures locating concealed electrical cables. Periodic voltage testing during work confirms isolation remains effective - circuits can inadvertently re-energise through neutral connections to other circuits or backfeed from equipment. If any voltage detected during testing, immediately stop work, re-verify isolation, and do not proceed until electrical safety confirmed. Brief all demolition personnel that electrical isolation does not eliminate need for careful work practices - treat all conductors as potentially live until proven otherwise through testing.

Soft demolition creates substantial cumulative manual handling exposure requiring multiple controls to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Provide mechanical demolition tools reducing manual effort including electric or pneumatic demolition hammers for breaking concrete or tiles, reciprocating saws for cutting framing and materials, and power scrapers for floor covering removal. Use mechanical handling aids including panel lifters or suction cup devices for large sheets and glazing, hand trolleys and pallet jacks for moving heavy components, and wheelbarrows or bins on wheels for transporting materials reducing repetitive carrying. Position waste bins strategically throughout work area allowing short carrying distances, relocating bins frequently as work progresses minimizing travel with loads. Implement mandatory two-person team lifting for items exceeding 20kg with clear role assignments and verbal communication during lifts. For ceiling work requiring sustained overhead reaching, use elevated platforms positioning workers at appropriate height reducing shoulder strain compared to working from ladders with arms extended overhead. Schedule regular breaks minimum every 2 hours during sustained demolition allowing physical recovery from cumulative loading. Rotate workers between different demolition tasks varying muscle group demands - alternate between overhead ceiling work, floor-level partition removal, and ground-level material handling. Train workers in correct manual handling techniques emphasizing bent knees with straight back, keeping loads close to body, avoiding twisting while carrying loads, and using mechanical aids rather than pure manual force. For floor covering removal requiring prolonged kneeling, provide knee pads reducing direct pressure on knee joints. Break large demolition tasks into smaller manageable sections preventing fatigue from extended continuous physical work. Monitor workers for signs of fatigue including slowed movement, awkward postures, or verbal complaints of pain - intervene with additional breaks or task reassignment before injuries occur. Consider task complexity when scheduling - do not plan multiple high-demand manual handling tasks consecutively without adequate recovery time between.

Dust control in occupied commercial buildings requires comprehensive measures preventing both worker exposure and dust migration affecting adjacent tenancies or building occupants. Install plastic sheeting barriers at all work area boundaries creating containment with overlapping joints preventing dust escape to corridors or adjacent spaces. Seal barriers top and bottom using tape ensuring complete seal. Install zippered access doors in barriers allowing worker access while maintaining containment. Use water suppression extensively during demolition activities - spray water on materials before breaking or cutting, maintain dampness during work, and spray dust settling on surfaces during cleanup. For cutting operations generating concentrated dust, use water-fed equipment for concrete or masonry cutting suppressing silica dust at source. Connect power tools to HEPA-filtered vacuum extractors when cutting plasterboard, timber, or materials indoors capturing dust before becoming airborne. Implement negative air pressure systems using portable air scrubbers with HEPA filtration drawing air from work area and exhausting filtered air outside or to safe locations creating pressure differential preventing dust migration to surrounding areas. Change filters regularly as loading reduces effectiveness. Schedule high dust-generation activities during times when adjacent retail tenancies are closed reducing exposure to others - coordinate timing with building management. Prohibit dry sweeping which disperses settled dust back into air - use wet mop cleaning or HEPA vacuum cleaners for all cleanup. Wet wipe all surfaces in and around work area removing accumulated dust. For large demolition projects, consider air quality monitoring measuring particulate concentrations verifying control effectiveness and demonstrating compliance if complaints arise. Provide P2 respirators to all demolition workers protecting against dust inhalation regardless of other controls as administrative safety measure. Brief workers on dust control importance and techniques - worker cooperation essential for effective implementation. Respond immediately to any dust complaints from adjacent tenants or building management increasing suppression measures or modifying work practices before proceeding. Document dust control measures implemented protecting against future claims of inadequate controls.

Effective waste segregation during demolition substantially reduces disposal costs by diverting recyclable materials from landfill which incurs waste levies in most Australian jurisdictions. Provide separate bins or designated areas for each major waste stream preventing contamination making materials unrecyclable. Metal waste including steel framing, ducting, brackets, and fixtures goes to scrap metal recycling - separate ferrous (steel) from non-ferrous (aluminum, copper) if recycler requires. Timber from partition framing, joinery, and doors goes to timber recycling provided not painted with lead paint or treated with toxic preservatives - clean untreated timber has good recycling value. Plasterboard can be recycled at dedicated facilities separating gypsum for reuse - keep plasterboard separate from other waste and relatively clean. Concrete, masonry, and tiles constitute inert waste acceptable at reduced levy rate compared to general waste - keep free of contamination with timber, metals, or plastics. Cardboard from packaging and paper goes to recycling. Glass including glazing and mirrors can be recycled if sorted by type. General waste includes contaminated materials, mixed waste that cannot be segregated, and items with no recycling pathway - this stream incurs highest disposal levy so minimize quantities. Hazardous waste requires separate handling including asbestos waste to licensed asbestos disposal facilities with documentation, fluorescent tubes containing mercury to e-waste facilities, batteries, and any materials contaminated with chemicals. Electronic waste including light fittings, switches, and electrical components may require e-waste disposal rather than landfill depending on jurisdiction. Brief demolition workers on waste segregation requirements and bin allocation before work commences. Position bins logically based on demolition sequence - place metal bin near partition work, plasterboard bin near plasterboard removal area. Conduct regular inspections of bin contents ensuring segregation being maintained - intervene immediately if materials being mixed preventing entire bin becoming contaminated general waste. Calculate waste volumes during planning ensuring adequate bin capacity throughout project - insufficient bins force mixing of waste streams when dedicated bins become full. Consider timing of bin exchanges particularly for heavy inert waste that quickly fills bins - schedule collections allowing continuous work without delays waiting for empty bins. Document waste disposal including quantities, waste types, and disposal facilities demonstrating environmental compliance and providing cost verification.