Demolition

Demolition work involves the destroying and dismantling of a building or structure.

Demolition

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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

Related Construction Standards

29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC - Cranes and Derricks in Construction

Recordkeeping

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

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.