Demolition Checklist

Company:

Site:

Inspection by: Date:

Regular checks will be performed by:

Structure to be checked at the following intervals:

1. Has the building been checked for asbestos? Yes 

No 
N/A 
If the building or plant contains asbestos, get an approved asbestos contractor to remove and
properly dispose of all asbestos-containing material. Where possible, have all asbestos
removal work completed before starting the rest of the demolition.

2. Have all services been identified? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Make sure you have located all electric power lines and cables, gas lines, telecommunication
lines and water and sewerage lines. Look for septic tanks and underground storage tanks
and check their condition. Don't simply rely on the original site plans and drawings. Get
expert help from the supply and distribution authorities.

3. Has power and gas been disconnected? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Confirm that power and gas has been properly disconnected by the distribution authorities.
After this, test outlets to double check that all power and gas has been stopped. Safely flush
gas out of disconnected lines and storages.

4. Are fire services available? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Keep existing lines and hoses in place for as long as possible. Provide adequate temporary
fire services where necessary. Get advice from your local fire brigade.

5. Has the demolition sequence been planned? Yes 

No 
N/A 
The sequence in which a building is demolished can be critical to the safety of the workers
and the general public. Whenever you are in doubt, or whenever you are dealing with
unusual structures or structures incorporating pre-stressed concrete reinforced members, get
expert advice from an experienced demolition rigger or a structural engineer.

6. Are demolition tools and equipment being used safely? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Check that compressors, jackhammers and other pneumatic tools are properly maintained
and fully serviceable. Make sure all air-hose connections are secured with safety pins to
prevent dangerous blowouts. Do not use petrol or diesel driven compressors or equipment in
cellars or any badly ventilated areas. Check that concrete cutting equipment is the right sort
for the tasks. Follow the advice of your safety consultant, manager or officer regarding hand-
held concrete cutting equipment. Check that oxy-acetylene cutting equipment is in good
condition, properly secured and close to fire extinguishers. Make sure workers are using the
right personal protective equipment for the tools, such as ear muffs, breathing masks,
protective glasses, head shields, gloves, or rawhide boilermaker's jackets to prevent burns.

7. Are workers protected from falls? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Properly cover or securely barricade all floor or roof penetrations, lift shaft entrances and
doorways where staircases are to be removed. Provide properly constructed heavy duty
scaffolds. Never allow demolition workers to work unprotected at heights. Where safety
harnesses are necessary, make sure they are serviceable, properly worn and securely fixed
to anchorages with a safe load capacity of at least 1.5 tonnes. Make sure inertia reel lines
cannot be severed on sharp edges.

8. Is the public properly protected? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Buildings adjacent or close to public space should have a full-height heavy duty perimeter
scaffold to safely contain any debris. It may need to be sheeted in chain mesh, or shade
cloth, or both. Never use hessian because it easily catches on fire. Where demolition work is
being carried out from the scaffold, fix ply sheets or shutterboard from the working platform to
the guardrail. Laying old carpet over the platforms and guardrails will help to contain debris
on the platform. Where necessary, provide properly designed and constructed overhead
protective gantries or covered walkways over footpaths and laneways. Make sure you
comply with all requirements of the local municipal Council.

9. Is rigging work being done safely? Yes 

No 
N/A 
The person in charge of demolition rigging work must have a valid rigging certificate of
competency. Never allow unqualified and unsupervised workers to use rigging equipment
(such as air winches, creeper winches, chain blocks, and cranes) in demolition work. Make
sure all rigging equipment and slings are in a serviceable condition.

10. Are suspended floors safe for the loads? Yes 

No 
N/A 
Get a structural engineer to determine the loading capacity of floors before placing
earthmoving equipment, heavy plant or building rubble on them. Floor capacity may need to
be increased by back-propping the floors with shoring frames or rigidly connected systems of
adjustable building props. Regularly monitor floor loads and rubble build-up to safeguard
from overloading.