Keep demolition dangers at bay

by Michael R. Taylor

The demolition industry is perceived to be a dangerous business. In truth, it’s a relatively safe trade in the construction industry. While there are no government statistics that isolate the number of fatalities that occur specifically in the demolition industry, members of the National Association of Demolition Contractors (NADC) point out that the number of fatalities in the construction industry overall has remained constant for 20 years, while the total volume of construction jobs undertaken in our economy has quadrupled. This reinforces the conclusion that demolition contractors are becoming a much safer group of professionals.

A number of initiatives created by the NADC highlight the industry’s continued commitment to safety on the jobsite. The NADC offers a series of bimonthly “Demolition Safety Talks” that are pre-packaged toolbox safety meetings for medium- to smaller-sized demolition contractors who may not have the resources to employ a full-time safety director.

These talks were developed by safety experts who understand fall protection, scaffold safety, electrical safety and the operation of heavy machinery. Project managers can easily gather workers whenever they choose and use the safety talks as a way to train workers on the demolition safety basics. The talks can be tailored to the job. 

The NADC’s updated “Demolition Safety Manual” catalogs the safest ways to perform diverse tasks when demolishing structures. Many in the industry consider it the first and final word in safe demolition practices. Developed by the NADC Employee Health and Safety Committee, the manual – if properly used – will help lead to fewer injuries, safer jobsites and lower workers’ compensation premiums. 

The reference book translates OSHA regulations into actions for industry professionals and should be used in conjunction with each company’s training program in safe work practices.  It also includes the revised Hazard Communications Program Manual and the association’s safety video series. 

Some of the topics covered:
• Motivating employees
• Equipment safety, including the preparation and use of material handling equipment, trucks, and other heavy equipment
• Preparing engineering surveys, utility location, medical services, and fire prevention
• Protective structures, such as signs and lighting
• The safe use of ladders, cranes, manlifts, and the implementation of shoring
• Personal protective equipment
• Fall prevention
• Debris removal
• Handling hazardous materials, including asbestos, PCBs and lead
• Safe use of hand tools, such as pneumatic power tools, abrasive blade tools and chainsaws

In October 2004, the NADC will hold its 10th Annual Safety Summit in Chicago. Here, demolition contractors and safety professionals will cover safety issues facing the demolition industry, including topics such as state and federal regulations, personal safety and hazardous waste/hazardous materials handling on jobsites. 

Prepare for safety, productivity
Boy Scouts know it and successful demolition contractors do it: Be prepared.

To avoid potential dangers in demolition, contractors must plan ahead. That starts with an engineering survey by a team made up of the estimator, safety director, field superintendent and foreman. This process forces them to discuss everything that could possibly happen.

Part of this process identifies hazardous areas such as live electric circuits, gas or a flammable liquid in pipes or hazardous substances in vessels. This is an extremely important step because there is often no second chance to get it right.

Communicate the need to work safely
Safety meetings are the best way to educate workers of every potential hazard and how to avoid injuries and fatalities. Safety meetings should continue, even on a daily basis, so all safety hazards are communicated and immediately corrected. All jobsites should get the safety updates as a way to share information and experiences. 

One contractor uses a series of pocket cards that employees use to jot down potential safety hazards they may notice in the course of a job. The contractor requires workers to fill these cards out every day. It’s a great way for management to assure workers are always on the lookout for jobsite hazards.

This contractor also requires workers to report every injury, no matter how minor. Because the contractor has the liability for every worker’s well-being, instant communication of injuries is a top priority. Even non-incidents – accidents that could have happened but did not – are required to be reported.

Use the correct PPE
Personal protection equipment (PPE) plays a very important role in protecting the safety of demolition workers. Working around rubble requires heavy leather boots with thick soles to avoid cuts and punctures. One step better: boots with puncture-resistant soles and steel toes that offer additional protection when working around nails and other sharp objects.

To protect hands, workers can use cloth gloves for most rough work or leather gloves when working around metal or sharp edges. When solvents or chemicals are present, safety directors should require the use of rubber gloves. 

Every worker must wear a hard hat on the site – no exceptions. Contractors must provide safety glasses, goggles and face shields based on the type of hazard the worker faces. Workers should ask for replacements when their eyewear gets scratched or hard to see through.

The contractor also requires hearing protection – earplugs or earmuffs – when a worker must raise his or her voice to be heard by another worker only a few feet away.

Respiratory protection must be offered and should be selected by a safety person familiar with the hazard and the level of protection the respiratory protection equipment offers. For example, a dust mask is not rated for asbestos, and a respirator a worker would use for asbestos or lead may not protect the worker against vapors. 

In a low-oxygen environment – such as dismantling components in a confined space like an industrial tank or vessel – a filter respirator will not supply any additional air.  That is why the safety director’s supervision and up-to-date knowledge is so essential.

Safety precautions may not always involve the use of PPE. It may simply require staying in shape and observing rules for lifting and moving heavy objects. Workers should incorporate stretching exercises into their preparation for their workday.

Collapse dangers are real
Nearly every demolition project runs the risk of unexpected structure collapse. Be on the lookout for tension buildup on any structural member that is being cut.

Another potentially dangerous situation involves working around large vehicles and equipment blind spots. In these cases, the workers are responsible for staying clear of moving equipment. Easily understood, agreed upon hand signals by a person on the ground and someone operating large equipment – communicating everything from danger to where to place a load – can make the difference between safety and injury.

Planning an escape strategy is another way to keep the jobsite safe.  For example, when working on the upper floors of a building being demolished, workers should be familiar with several escape routes to take if a dangerous situation should arise. Avoid “pinch points” or dead-end spots that leave no exit or escape options.

Use barriers
Commonsense use of barriers can help avoid problems on the jobsite. Barriers can prevent workers from venturing into a work area, getting too close to an edge, or standing under an overhead load. Barriers or barricades can also keep unauthorized people out of the work zone and keep pedestrian traffic off the site.

Conscientious and consistent safety harness use is the best way to avoid falls from heights more than 6' off the ground without a handrail. When tying off, the structural element must be able to take the sudden impact of the fall and person’s weight. The best choice is to tie the lanyard to a strong overhead structure so there is no way the fall will be over 6'.

Throughout the progress of a demolition project, keep work areas clean and a pathway cleared for equipment and trucks that need site access. As trucks haul demolition debris away, make sure the truck has a balanced load that doesn’t exceed weight restrictions and has no materials hanging over the box edges. Drivers should be aware of changing road conditions that may cause a load to shift, or present a low-clearance problem.

Michael R. Taylor, CAE, is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and is executive director of the National Association of Demolition Contractors. This nonprofit trade organization has more than 900 U.S. and Canadian contractor members and 250 associate members. He can be reached at 800-541-2412 or at info@demolitionassociation.com. Learn more at www.nadc.org. 

This article was published in the July/August 2004 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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