Product Description

Demolition Activities SWMS is developed for Australian demolition contractors, builders, principal contractors and construction businesses carrying out structural and non-structural demolition, strip-out and associated demolition works on commercial, industrial and residential projects. It helps businesses safely plan, manage and document demolition activities involving high-risk construction work while supporting compliance with Australian WHS requirements and site-specific risk management. The source document addresses a broad range of demolition tasks including work at height, demolition using power tools, hot works, manual handling, waste removal and work around live services.

Demolition work presents a unique combination of hazards that require careful planning before work begins. Activities often involve partially dismantled structures, interaction with multiple trades, changing site conditions, overhead hazards, mobile access equipment, electrical services, traffic management and hazardous materials. Effective planning and documented controls assist businesses in reducing risk while maintaining safe and efficient project delivery.

This SWMS follows the documented demolition process from establishing work areas and access equipment through demolition activities, material removal, waste management and environmental controls. It is intended to be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific project, work methods and site conditions before demolition commences.

Activities Covered

Depending on the selected work method, the SWMS may include activities such as:

• General demolition works
• Internal strip-out works
• Light demolition of walls, ceilings and joinery
• Removal of floor coverings
• Concrete, masonry and tile demolition
• Jackhammer operations
• Removal of glass panels
• Working from mobile scaffolds
• Working from platform ladders
• Working near live electrical services
• Delivery and removal of demolition materials
• Waste loading and disposal
• Manual handling
• Hot works using grinders, diamond saws and oxy equipment
• Working adjacent to live traffic corridors
• General housekeeping and site clean-up

Hazards Addressed

The documented work activities address hazards that may include:

• Falls from height
• Falling objects
• Structural instability
• Electrical shock and electrocution
• Live underground and overhead services
• Traffic interaction
• Mobile plant and vehicle movements
• Dust and airborne contaminants
• Manual handling injuries
• Noise exposure
• Hot works and fire
• Flying debris
• Cuts and lacerations
• Glass handling
• Public interface
• Slips, trips and falls
• Environmental contamination

Control Measures Included

Depending on the selected work methods and project requirements, the SWMS outlines controls including:

• Site-specific inductions and supervision
• Daily pre-start inspections
• Competent and trained workers
• Service location and isolation before demolition
• Physical protection of live services where required
• Exclusion zones and barricading
• Traffic management controls where applicable
• Scaffold inspection and safe erection
• Ladder inspection and correct setup
• Safe operation of demolition equipment
• Water suppression where appropriate
• Good housekeeping throughout works
• Waste segregation and controlled removal
• Spotters during selected activities
• Fire protection during hot works
• Environmental protection measures

PPE Requirements

The source document identifies PPE including:

• Hard hat
• High-visibility clothing
• Safety footwear

Additional PPE may be required depending on the activity being undertaken, including eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, respirators and task-specific protective equipment where applicable.

Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment may include:

• Mobile scaffolds
• Platform ladders
• Power tools
• Jackhammers
• Diamond saws
• Grinders
• Oxy equipment
• Material handling trolleys
• Waste bins

Additional equipment may be used depending on the demolition method selected.

Hazardous Materials

Where applicable, the documented work addresses:

• Dust generation
• Synthetic mineral fibres (SMF)
• Fuel-powered equipment
• Hot works
• Waste materials requiring controlled disposal

Management requirements vary depending on the work activity and site conditions.

Emergency Planning

The SWMS incorporates procedures for incidents including electrical emergencies, fire, injuries, unexpected live services and other site emergencies. Emergency arrangements should always be reviewed and customised before work begins.

What’s Included

Editable Microsoft Word SWMS including:

• Sequential work activities
• Hazard identification
• Risk control measures
• PPE requirements
• Plant and equipment guidance
• High Risk Construction Work considerations
• Worker responsibilities
• Consultation and sign-off records
• Emergency planning guidance

Suitable For

• Demolition contractors
• Commercial builders
• Residential builders
• Principal contractors
• Construction contractors
• Fit-out contractors
• Industrial contractors
• Maintenance contractors

Australian WHS Requirements

The source document identifies multiple High Risk Construction Work activities including work involving falls greater than two metres, work near energised electrical services and work adjacent to live traffic corridors. The SWMS is intended to be reviewed and amended for site-specific conditions before work commences.

Tradies Compliance SWMS documents are supplied in editable Microsoft Word format, allowing construction businesses to customise the document for their project while maintaining professional WHS documentation for demolition activities.