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Contents
Page last reviewed: 12/31/2003
Highlights
  • Construction. OSHA's Alliance Page. This is one of OSHA's Strategic Management Plan Focus Areas.
  • Construction. OSHA eTool. A Spanish version is also available. Helps workers identify and control the hazards that cause the most serious construction-related injuries, however it does not go over any specific information regarding demolition.
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Demolition

Demolition work involves many of the hazards associated with construction. However, demolition incurs additional hazards due to unknown factors such as: deviations from the structure's design introduced during construction, approved or unapproved modifications that altered the original design, materials hidden within structural members, and unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials. To counter these unknowns, all personnel involved in a demolition project must be fully aware of these types of hazards and the safety precautions to take to control the hazards.

Demolition hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general and construction industries.

Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), and national consensus standards related to demolition.

OSHA

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

Standard Interpretations

National Consensus

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

  • ANSI A10.6-1983, Safety Requirements for Demolition Operations

Hazards and Solutions

Before starting a demolition the person or persons in charge of the demolition should be adequately prepared for the task with regard to the health and safety of the workers. 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. The following references aid in recognizing and evaluating hazards and solutions in the workplace.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

Training

  • Construction Industry Safety and Health Outreach Program. OSHA, (1996, May).
    • Demolition. Describes safety regulations for demolition, such as preliminary operations, engineering survey, utility location, medical services and first aid, fire prevention and protection, special structures demolition, and safe blasting procedures.

Other Resources

  • IEC Safety. Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC).

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