When it comes to demolition work, it involves the process of demolishing, deconstructing, or dismantling a structure or part of a structure that plays a role in the structure's load-bearing capacity or overall physical integrity.
As a worker, understanding demolition work means engaging in activities that dismantle or demolish structures, especially those integral to the structure's physical integrity. However, it excludes tasks like removing formwork, falsework, or structures used during construction, as well as the extraction of power, light, or telecommunication poles.
According to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (the Regulation), hazards in demolition work include the risk of falling objects, potential collisions with operating mobile plant machinery, and exposure to airborne contaminants like asbestos or silica.
For proper management, it is essential to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland at least five days before commencing demolition if it involves a structure or part that is load-bearing, exceeds 6 meters in height, includes load-shifting machinery on a suspended floor, or requires the use of explosives. The WHS Regulation provides comprehensive details on demolition notifications.
Additional requirements come into play when dealing with the demolition of structures containing asbestos materials. Workers must be aware of and adhere to these regulations, especially when dealing with the demolition of domestic structures containing asbestos.
To find licensed demolition removalists, resources such as the licensed demolition removalists list can be consulted, providing information on those authorized for the task.
Under the WHS Regulation, it is mandatory for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to hold a demolition work license when undertaking such activities. As a worker, recognizing and complying with these regulations ensures a safe and lawful environment when engaged in demolition work.
The WHS Regulation, Part 4.6 Demolition work is summarised below.
| Specific legislative requirements for demolition work | ||
|---|---|---|
Notice of demolition work | A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that proposes to carry out any of the following types of demolition work must provide written notice to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland at least 5 days before the work commences:
Notice must be made using Form 65: Notification of licensed asbestos removal work, demolition work or emergency demolition. | WHS Regulation 2011, s142(1) and (2) |
Notice of demolition work by an emergency service organisation | Emergency service organisations must give notice of any notifiable demolition work (see s142(1)) as soon as is practicable, whether before or after the work is carried out, when the demolition work is carried out while rescuing or providing first aid to a person. Notice must be made using Form 65: Notification of licensed asbestos removal work, demolition work or emergency demolition | WHS Regulation 2011, s142(2), (3) and (4) |
Licence to carry out demolition work | A PCBU must not carry out demolition work, or allow or direct a worker to carry out demolition work, unless they are licensed to carry out that work. View information about obtaining a demolition work licence | WHS Regulation 2011, s143 |
Nominated competent person must be present or readily available | The person nominated under a demolition licence to supervise the work must be readily available to any worker carrying out the demolition work | WHS Regulation 2011, s144(1) |
Training for workers | The PCBU holding a licence to carry out demolition work must provide appropriate training to workers to ensure that the demolition work is carried out safely and competently | WHS Regulation 2011, s144(2) |
Construction work | Demolition work is considered construction work under the WHS Regulation and must be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations | WHS Regulation 2011 – Chapter 6 – Construction Work |
Safe work method statements | Safe work method statements are required for all high risk construction work, including any construction work that involves the demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of a structure | WHS Regulation 2011, s291 and s299 |
Notifiable incidents | The collapse or partial collapse of a structure is a dangerous incident and must be notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. View additional information about the notification of dangerous incidents, including the notification form | Work Health and Safety Act 2011, s35, s36, s37, s38 and s39 |