March 22, 2017

Safety Precautions for Demolition Work

By Jonathan Damashek

Posted in

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Demolition work involves unique hazards that make this kind of job particularly dangerous. Due to the nature of the work, demolition-related accidents can have severe consequences on the health of construction workers. As many of these hazards are associated with construction, OSHA’s construction standards also apply to all demolition sites.

Safety should always be priority in a demolition site, and many safety precautions that should be taken into consideration. We’ve put together the most important safety measures that must be followed during a demolition project. Read carefully:

Experience is a MUST: No worker should access a demolition site without the necessary experience. This includes all aspects of the job. It’s very important that each worker knows and understands the equipment that will be used and what should be worn through the entire process of demolition. Only trained and experienced employees should handle dangerous and explosive tools and materials. In addition, managers should check daily that every employee has the required equipment. Doing so will prevent future injuries throughout the demolition process. This equipment includes hard hats, masks, gloves, and work boots.

Final Check: Always do an extensive final check before demolition work begins. Make sure someone inspects every part of a building, including rooms, closets, bathrooms, hallways, etc., to make sure everyone has left the area and is at a safe distance before the demolition starts. In addition, someone should also be monitoring that no unauthorized people get close to the demolition site.

Debris Clean-Up: Debris can be harmful for workers and people passing near the demolition site. It is important to clean it up as soon as the demolition is done. This stage can be extremely dangerous. Teach your workers to be cautious, and make sure they are wearing masks, gloves, work boots and hard hats when performing this job.

Demolition is very risky and your safety should always be priority. If you or a loved one is a victim of an accident at a demolition site, contact us today for a free consultation. We are here to help.