Part 8.6 Demolition work—particular provisions

246   Definitions

(1)  In this Part:

AS 2601—1991 means AS 2601—1991 The demolition of structures.

demolition work means construction work involving the demolition of a building but does not include construction work involving the removal of power or telecommunication poles.

Note. Clause 3 provides that building includes a structure and part of a building or structure.

(2)  In applying the provisions of AS 2601—1991 for the purposes of this Part, references in that Standard to a public thoroughfare are taken to be references to a public place.

(3)  In this Part, a reference to the height of a building is a reference to the height of the building measured from the lowest level of the ground immediately adjacent to the base of the building at the point at which the height is to be measured to its highest point.

Note. Carrying on the business of demolition work requires a licence (see Chapter 10). Demolition work also requires a permit (see Chapter 11).

247   Work to be done in accordance with Australian Standard and this Part

(1)  An employer must ensure that demolition work is carried out in accordance with AS 2601—1991 and the provisions of this Part.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

(2)  In the event of an inconsistency between a provision of AS 2601—1991 and the provisions of this Regulation, the provisions of this Regulation prevail.

(3)  Despite AS 2601—1991 or this Part, a building may be demolished by the use of explosives if a permit under Chapter 11 has been obtained.

Note. The following matters, among others, are dealt with in AS 2601—1991:

•  Sequential demolition

•  Measures to prevent materials falling on workers and the public, including adequate fencing

•  Use of heavy machinery and plant on suspended floors

•  Ensuring that stairs and other means of access, and scaffolding, are clear of rubble and other debris

•  Chimney demolition

•  Dust control

•  Warning signs and general safety measures

•  Fire prevention

•  Circumstances in which overhead protective structures and heavy duty independent scaffolding are required

248   Investigations

(1)  An employer must ensure that, before the commencement of stripping or demolition work, an initial investigation of the building to be demolished and the site on which it is located is carried out in accordance with AS 2601—1991.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

(2)  The results of the investigations of the building and site must be recorded in writing by the employer and must be made available to WorkCover for inspection, on demand.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

(3)  The records of the investigations must be included by the employer in the work method statement for the demolition to substantiate the choice of a particular sequence, method or technique of demolition.

Maximum penalty (subclause (3)): Level 1.

249   Carrying out demolition work

(1)  An employer must ensure that, if mechanical means are used to carry out demolition work, the work is carried out sequentially.

(2)  An employer must ensure that demolition work involving pulling with ropes or chains or similar means is carried out only if the building being demolished is not more than 4 metres in height and the work is carried out sequentially.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

Note. See Chapter 11 regarding the issue of permits for the carrying out of certain demolition work.

250   Working in or below building being demolished

(1)  An employer must ensure that a person does not work in or below a building that is being demolished if, at any time during the carrying out of the demolition work, there is a danger that the person might be injured as a result of demolished or other material falling or rebounding.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

(2)  This clause applies whether or not the person’s work is associated with the demolition of the building.

251   Buildings adjacent to public places

(1)  An employer must ensure that, if demolition work involves the demolishing of a building that is less than 4 metres in height and is adjacent to a public place, adequate precautionary measures are taken to protect persons who may be in the public place.

Note. AS 2601—1991 contains precautionary requirements for the demolition of buildings that are more than 4 metres in height.

(2)  An employer must ensure that, if demolition work involves the demolishing of a building (regardless of its height) that is adjacent to another building, adequate precautionary measures are taken to protect:

(a)  the other building, and

(b)  any person entering or leaving the other building, and

(c)  if the other building is shorter than the building being demolished—any person who is on top of the other building.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

252   Demolition within confines of building

The requirements of AS 2601—1991 relating to fencing, overhead protective structures and scaffolding do not apply to the demolition of part of a building if:

(a)  the work is carried out wholly within the confines of the building, and

(b)  demolished material is, at all times during the carrying out of the work, prevented from falling or rebounding outside those confines.

253   Overhead protective structures

An employer must, in carrying out any demolition work, ensure that, if AS 2601—1991 requires an overhead protective structure to be provided over a public walkway that lies between a public place and the building being demolished, the overhead protective structure:

(a)  consists of a horizontal platform of solid construction with vertical supports, and

(b)  is at least 250 mm from the edge of the kerb of the walkway towards the common boundary of the walkway and the building that is being demolished, and

(c)  has a minimum overhead clearance of 2.2 m to any bracings, beams or any other part of the overhead protective structure, and

(d)  has a continuous solid upstand projecting at least one metre above the platform surface, and

(e)  is designed for a uniformly distributed live load of 10kPa.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

Note. See figure 1 below, which illustrates these requirements.

254   Scaffolding

(1)  This clause does not apply to the demolition of a chimney stack.

(2)  An employer must ensure that, if AS 2601—1991 requires scaffolding to be provided, the scaffolding:

(a)  is erected before the commencement of any demolition work on the side or part of the building being demolished that faces a public place, and

(b)  is kept in the erected position until the work is completed.

Note. See also clause 58 (Scaffolding—particular risk control measures) which requires compliance with AS/NZS 1576.1:1995.

(3)  The employer must ensure that the scaffolding is provided with at least 2, but not more than 3 platforms, unless otherwise certified by a qualified engineer.

(4)  The employer must ensure that each platform on the scaffolding:

(a)  extends the full width of the scaffold frame, and

(b)  abuts the building, and

(c)  extends into any openings of the building for a sufficient distance in order to catch any falling material.

(5)  The employer must ensure that any platform or section of a platform (other than the platform at the final lower level of the scaffolding) is not dismantled, repositioned or removed unless:

(a)  a further platform has been installed not more than 6 metres below the platform or section of platform to be repositioned or removed, and

(b)  all material on the platform has been removed.

(6)  The employer must ensure that scaffolding is effectively enclosed on the outer faces and ends for its full height with steel wire mesh that:

(a)  has a cross section dimension of not less than 2.5 mm and an aperture of not greater than 50 mm, and

(b)  is adequately secured to the scaffolding, and

(c)  is sufficient to withhold demolished material,

      or with some other equivalent system that is adequately secured to the scaffolding and is sufficient to withhold demolished material.

(7)  The employer must ensure that the edges of the runs of wire mesh are adequately overlapped and secured.

(8)  The employer must ensure that appropriate material is securely fixed to the wire mesh to minimise the release of dust into the atmosphere.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

255   Demolition of chimney stacks

(1)  An employer must ensure that the demolition of a chimney stack is carried out only:

(a)  by felling using undercutting or explosives, or

(b)  by the removal of successive sections of metal, or successive courses of brickwork or masonry, from the top.

(2)  The employer must ensure that, if a chimney stack is or is to be demolished by felling:

(a)  the felling is not done in a wind that:

(i)  is likely to cause the chimney stack to fall otherwise than in the intended direction, or

(ii)  exceeds 20 knots, and

(b)  if undercutting is used—the equilibrium of the stack being undercut is gauged in compression by positive means to ensure that sufficient time remains for the safe retreat of workers from the stack when it commences to fall, and

(c)  if the chimney stack could, in falling, endanger the safety of a person or property in a place outside the area under the control of the employer who is carrying out the demolition work—24 hours’ notice of the intended commencement of the work is given to:

(i)  the council of the local government area in which the work is carried out, and

(ii)  a police officer.

(3)  An employer must ensure that, if a chimney stack is to be demolished by the removal of successive sections of metal from the top, or successive courses of brickwork or masonry from the top, overhead protection complying with clause 231 is provided over the discharge end of any chute, hopper, bin or material outlet to protect any person removing material from the discharge area from falling objects.

(4)  The employer must ensure that material is not allowed to accumulate on, or to overload, any such overhead protection.

Maximum penalty: Level 4.

256   Notification of dangerous work

An employer must ensure that a police officer is informed immediately if, during any demolition work:

(a)  the building concerned (including an undemolished part of the building) becomes unstable, and

(b)  there is a danger that the building could collapse and injure any person who is in any place not under the control of the person who is carrying out that work, either directly or by his or her employees or agents.

Maximum penalty: Level 1.