Demolition health hazards

Asbestos is recognized internationally as a serious and deadly health hazard. Every year, an estimated 1.3 million US workers in the construction and general trades face significant asbestos exposure. Heaviest exposures occur in construction, particularly during the removal of asbestos for a renovation, major repair, or demolition project. 

Identify and assess safety health hazards resulting from equipment demolition. 

GS 29/4 Health and safety in demolition work. Part 4 Health hazards... 

If demolition or refurbishment is to be undertaken, then hazards associated with structural collapse, fire, working at height, lifting and carrying and electricity must be considered together with health hazards from lead, asbestos, vermin and insects. As mentioned in Chapter 10, a structural survey before work commenced should reduce the risk of unintentional structural collapse. The issue of hot work permits, provision of fire-fighting equipment and suitable storage facilities for flammable substances should control the fire risk. Health risks can be controlled, for example, by the use of licensed contractors for the removal of asbestos, specialist contractors to eradicate vermin and the provision of suitable personal protective equipment. 

Reduction of health and environmental hazards associated with decontamination and demolition processes... 

Demolition is one of the most hazardous construction operations and is responsible for more deaths and major injuries than any other activity. The management of demolition work is controlled by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 and requires a planning supervisor and a health and safety plan (as covered in Chapter 3). A more detailed discussion of demolition is given in Chapter 10. 

Using information supplied, prospective contractors should carry out a survey in sufficient detail to identify structural problems, and risks associated with flammable substances or substances hazardous to health. The precautions required to protect employees and members of the public from these risks, together with the preferred demolition procedure, should be set out in a method statement (see below). 

There are several public health and environmental hazards present in earthquake waste. The main hazards are rotten food, asbestos, fecal-contaminated material (from broken wastewater pipes), treated timber, industrial waste (chemicals, paints, etc.), and household hazardous wastes (oils, pesticides, etc.). It is important that these wastes are identified and appropriate management approaches are put in place to protect public and environmental health. As a minimum, workers should wear correct personal protective equipment (suitable for the hazard), and hazardous wastes should be removed from properties prior to demolition work to reduce the volume of contaminated waste. It is likely that... 

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