Demolition

What are the hazards associated with demolition?

Demolition work involves many hazards associated with construction work but also poses additional hazards due to unknown factors. These include structural and altered design changes, hazardous materials (i.e., asbestos, lead, heavy metals) within the structural members, demolition methods being used, unknown debris and chemicals within the building, along with strengths or weaknesses within the construction materials.  

What protective measures should be implemented before the start of demolition work?

Before the start of every demolition job, the demolition contractor should take a number of steps to safeguard the health and safety of workers at the job site. These preparatory operations involve the overall planning of the demolition job, including the methods to be used to bring the structure down, the equipment necessary to do the job, and the measures to be taken to perform the work safely. All planning work should be performed by a competent person experienced in all phases of the demolition work to be performed.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

Example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

Example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

In addition, the safety and health topic pages on competent person, cranes and derricks, asbestos, lead, personal protective equipment, excavation and trenching, fall protection, blasting and explosives and electrical safety can provide additional resource information.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to demolition in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

Construction Industry

29 CFR 1926, Subpart T - Demolition

• 29 CFR 1926.850 - Preparatory operations
• 29 CFR 1926.851 - Stairs, passageways, and ladders
• 29 CFR 1926.852 - Chutes
• 29 CFR 1926.853 - Removal of materials through floor openings
• 29 CFR1926.854 - Removal of walls, masonry sections, and chimneys
• 29 CFR 1926.855 - Manual removal of floors
• 29 CFR 1926.856 - Removal of walls, floors, and material with equipment
• 29 CFR 1926.857 - Storage
• 29 CFR 1926.858 - Removal of steel construction
• 29 CFR 1926.859 - Mechanical demolition
• 29 CFR 1926.860 - Selective demolition by explosives

Related Construction Standards

• 29 CFR 1926.62 - Lead
• 29 CFR 1926.100 - Head protection
• 29 CFR 1926.101 - Hearing protection
• 29 CFR 1926.102 - Eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1926.103 - Respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1926.350 - Gas welding and cutting
• 29 CFR 1926.405 - Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
• 29 CFR 1926.416 - General requirements, electrical
• 29 CFR 1926.417 - Lockout and tagging of circuits
• 29 CFR 1926.451 - General requirements, scaffolds
• 29 CFR 1926.501 - Duty to have fall protection
• 29 CFR 1926.502 - Fall protection systems criteria and practices
• 29 CFR 1926.503 - Training requirements, fall protection
• 29 CFR 1926.651 - Specific excavation requirements
• 29 CFR 1926.652 - Requirements for protective systems
• 29 CFR 1926.1101 - Asbestos

29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.  

Where can I learn more?

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to demolition in construction.

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy provides guidance to Compliance Officers regarding the issuance of citations for employers who exercise control in creating, controlling, exposing and correcting hazards for their employees and those of other employers on site.
• OSHA Technical Manual, Section V: Chapter 1 - Demolition, provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to compliance officers. 
• CFR 178A - Cranes and Derricks: Underground Construction and Demolition, applies the cranes and derricks standard (Subpart CC) to underground construction work and demolition work. 

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.