This document outlines OSHA safety standards for demolition work. It details requirements for preparatory operations like engineering surveys, shutting off utility lines, and identifying hazardous materials. Proper protection of entrances, stairs, passageways and ladders is required. When using chutes, materials must not be dropped outside the building and openings must be guarded. Structural members can only be removed sequentially from top to bottom. Mechanical demolition requires inspections to detect hazards.

1. OSHA Office of Training & Education 1
Safety Standards for Demolition
29 CFR Part l926.850

2. • This presentation only focuses on standards cited by OSHA in 2014

3. Demolition [1926.850 – 860]
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REMOVAL OF STRUCTURAL OR LOAD-SUPPORTING MEMBERS
SHORING AND BRACING OF WALLS AND FLOORS
ENGINEERING SURVEY PRIOR TO DEMOLITION OPERATIONS
CHUTE OPENING PROTECTED BY A GUARDRAIL
NOT DROPPING MATERIALS OUTSIDE EXTERIOR WALLS
SUBPARTT
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6
6
6
48
850(b)
854(b)
852(a)
852(e)
850(a)

4. Preparatory Operations
• Engineering survey shall be
made, by a competent person
• In Writing
1926.850(a)

5. Local Demolition and Debris Removal Plan (LDDRP)
ZONE ‘A’ CARREFOUR FEUILLE and ZONE B FORT MERCREDI and CITE 9.
1. Security and Safety
2. Demolition and Debris Removal Management
3. Building Assessments
4. Demolition ‘flowchart’
•The DDM Coordinator and The Project Engineer in consultation with the Demolition Expert will compile the following :
a. Risk assessments highlighting ‘High – Medium – Low’ level risks relating to the specific job site.
b. Means and method statements of work completed in detail for all stages of the demolition and debris clearance
operations.
c. Detailed time line programme for the works showing various on and off the job site tasks
d. and the expected respective completion dates.
5. Hazardous and Dangerous Material Procedures.
1.In buildings to be demolished :
 If material is suspect ;
Take a small piece / sample
Place it into a clear plastic sample bag and securely seal the opening to the bag.
Write clearly on a label, the building reference number, its address and the location where in the building the sample was
taken from and,
Deliver the sample to the DDM Coordinator who will,
Forward the sample to a recognised and approved laboratory for testing.
 If the results of the laboratory test prove to be positive ;
Appropriate steps must be taken to remove and dispose of the hazardous material in strict accordance with the method of work
statement to be developed and provided by the Project Engineer and approved by the DDM Coordinator.
If there are any obvious signs of suspect materials that may contain a hazardous substance (asbestos
If the results of the laboratory test prove to be positive :
6. Building Demolition Sequence in Zone A and Zone B.
•Public buildings (schools, hospitals, churches and public assembly buildings)
•Private Buildings with the ‘Approval to Demolish’ provided to UNOPS by UNHABITAT.
7. Debris Removal Sequence
8. Training.
9. Human resources

6. a) Management Team:
•Project Manager - 1
•Project Coordinator - 1
•Operations Manager - 1
•Demolition Expert / Engineer - 1
•DDM Coordinator - 1
•Logistic Manager - 1
•Field Engineers (Senior) - 2
Job Site Management Teams:
Job Site Demolition Machine Operators:
Job Site Demolition Operatives:
Eight (8) Crews will be composed, consisting of;
•Skilled Demolition Topmen - 2
•Demolition Labourers - 4
•Banksmen - 2
Debris Transport team
Transfer Station Team.
Triage Labourers and Crusher Operators Team.
10. Equipment Required :
a) Demolition
 Means and Method of Works at the Job Site Locations:
b) Debris Removal
c) Triage / Transfer Station
11. Technical and Safety Protocols for Demolition
12. Safety Protocol for the TRIAGE / Transfer Station Job Site.
13. Work documents
14. Record of the completion of training courses for all operatives :
Safety Awareness Courses to be developed by UNOPS Demolition Expert.
First aid Course to be developed by Demolition Expert and First Aid Adviser.
Note : First Aid Kit will be located on the job site.

7. Preparatory Operations
• When employees are required to work within a structure to be
demolished which has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion,
or other cause, the walls or floor shall be shored or braced
1926.850(b)

8. Preparatory Operations
• All electric, gas, water, steam,
sewer, and other service lines
shall be shut off, capped, or
otherwise controlled, outside
the building line before
demolition work is started.
1926.850(b)

9. Preparatory Operations
• All electric, gas, water, steam,
sewer, and other service lines
shall be shut off, capped, or
otherwise controlled, outside
the building line before
demolition work is started.
1926.850(c)

10. Preparatory Operations
• It shall also be determined if
any type of hazardous
chemicals, gases, explosives,
flammable materials, or
similarly dangerous substances
have been used in any pipes,
tanks,
1926.850(e)

11. Preparatory Operations
• When debris is dropped through
holes in the floor, the area onto
which the material is dropped shall
be completely enclosed with
barricades
• Signs, warning of the hazard of
falling materials, shall be posted at
each level.
1926.850(h)

12. Preparatory Operations
• Employee entrances to
multistory structures being
demolished shall be
completely protected by
sidewalk sheds or canopies
1926.850(k)

13. Stairs, Passageways, and Ladders
• All stairs, passageways, ladders
shall be periodically inspected
and maintained in a clean safe
condition.
1926.851(b)

14. Stairs, Passageways, and Ladders
• In a multistory building, when
a stairwell is being used, it
shall be properly illuminated
by either natural or artificial
means
1926.851(c)

15. Chutes
• No material shall be dropped
to any point lying outside the
exterior walls of the structure
unless the area is effectively
protected
1926.852(a)

16. Chutes
• All materials chutes, or
sections thereof, at an angle of
more than 45 deg. from the
horizontal, shall be entirely
enclosed
1926.852(b)

17. Chutes
• Any chute opening, into which
workmen dump debris, shall
be protected by a substantial
guardrail approximately 42
inches above the floor
1926.852(e)

18. Chutes
• Where the material is dumped
from mechanical equipment or
wheelbarrows, a securely
attached toeboard or bumper,
not less than 4 inches thick
and 6 inches high, shall be
provided at each chute
opening.
1926.852(f)

19. Removal of Walls, Masonry
Sections, and Chimneys
• No wall section, which is more
than one story in height, shall
be permitted to stand alone
without lateral bracing
1926.854(b)

20. Removal of Walls, Masonry
Sections, and Chimneys
• Structural or load-supporting
members on any floor shall
not be cut or removed until all
stories above such a floor have
been demolished and
removed
1926.854(d)

21. Removal of Walls, Floors, and
Material with Equipment.
• Floor openings shall have
curbs or stop-logs to prevent
equipment from running over
the edge
1926.856(b)

22. Mechanical Demolition
• During demolition, continuing
inspections by a competent
person shall be made as the
work progresses to detect
hazards resulting from
weakened or deteriorated
floors, or walls, or loosened
material
1926.859(gb)

23. Summary
• Always start at the top
• Basements can cause equipment
to fall in
• Remove lead and asbestos first
• Evaluate structral members
before cutting