12 safety tips to know and follow through a demolition

Demolition projects are much more than breaking the building and structure down. There are a plethora of hazardous events that can happen during demolition. 

For example, the building may collapse all of a sudden, causing safety hazards to everyone around. 

Additionally, dust clouds may trigger severe issues like air pollution and several respiratory diseases. Moreover, the demolition sites leave behind a lot of trash that needs immediate removal using construction dumpsters.

There are, however, 12 specific safety protocols you can follow to protect yourself from severe problems during a demolition:

1. Get rid of the asbestos

Removing all the non-licensed and licensed asbestos is essential before starting any demolition work. And, you need to immediately hire a construction dumpster to safely remove any asbestos you find during demolition. 

Asbestos removal is vital because it may settle into your lungs if you accidentally breathe its fibers. It can cause dangerous health hazards like lung cancer, asbestosis, etc.

2. Keep a plan ready for demolition safety.

It is vital that you properly plan the demolition of a structure. And carefully examine each step of the demolition. 

The plan should also consider all the individuals and structures involved, like the workers, bystanders, and the neighborhood. 

3. Wear protective equipment

Wearing a five-part PPE (Personal protective equipment) will keep the operatives safe on demolition sites. 5 part Protective equipment includes safety glasses, hard hat, safety gloves, boots (steel-toe), and high-visibility jacket. 

Besides this, it is also advisable to wear welding masks, face masks, and fireproof suits while carrying out fireworks tasks. 

4. Provide extensive training to workers to avoid accidents

Providing comprehensive training to the workers will ensure their safety since they would be well aware of the demolition process. Also, ensuring the worker is acquainted with all the equipment and machinery reduces the chances of mishandling. 

5. Supporting old structure by using braces

Old buildings and structures are unstable and weak, so you need to be extra careful while demolishing them. These buildings may unexpectedly collapse at any moment to cause severe injuries to your workers, bystanders, and neighboring structures. 

Bracing these buildings provides temporary support and prevents them from collapsing. 

6. Avoid dust-cloud formation 

You find dust clouds containing crystalline silica around the site after the demolition. These particles may cause serious respiratory diseases if inhaled. 

Spraying water over the entire structure before breaking it down helps prevent the formation of hazardous dust clouds. 

7. Monitor noises and vibrations 

You have to pay utmost attention to environmental safety during demolition. Noise and vibrations produced as a byproduct of destruction need regular monitoring. 

The best way to regulate noise is by adjusting the working hours. For example, you should perform all ‘noisy’ activities to have minimal impact on the public. Using appropriate equipment that produces less noise to carry out specific tasks can also reduce noise production. 

8. Regulate traffic movement 

Traffic regulations are again a vital part of the demolition plan. Pedestrians and vehicles need segregation with clear walkways for pedestrians and road access for cars. 

Limiting the speed limit of vehicles to 5mph can also help prevent accidents. Furthermore, adjusting the timings of construction vehicles to avoid rush hours can prevent the queuing of traffic. 

9. Never be close to an operating machinery 

Demolition sites often have giant working machines, plants, operatives, and workers on the ground, making it a potential danger. Therefore, you should include rules to ensure no one is close to the operating machinery.  

10. Cleaning the job site

A demolition leaves behind a lot of hazardous waste. Cleaning the site after the demolition is essential to prevent any unnecessary injury. You can then hire a construction dumpster. to carry the debris to the landfill.

11. Communication is the key. 

Proper communication among the contractors, clients, workers, and other operatives is the key to maintaining a safe job site. You should make sure to inform the entire operative team about all the health and safety-related protocols. 

12. Regulate waste disposal

Managing the waste after demolishing a structure is a crucial safety measure. Since the waste produced here is of different types, it needs proper identification and appropriate disposal methods. You can rent construction dumpsters to dispose of all the bulky and hazardous trash from the job site 

The safety and health of the workers and everyone around is the prime concern of the demolition companies. These 12 safety tips, however, help maintain safety on any demolition site.