Demolition Work - Subpart-T Review

What are the most frequently cited violations for demolition work? The following are OSHA’s top five followed by suggestions and protective measures you can use to maintain compliance with OSHA’s standard/regulations.

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Not performing a written engineering survey of the structure before commencing demolition work.

An engineering survey needs to be performed to determine if there are areas where premature or inadvertent collapse may occur, including any adjacent structures that employees may be exposed to. While this survey is being done, the presence of hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, PCBs, etc.) needs to be noted. When hazardous materials are present they will need to be included and addressed in the work scheduling before the demo work can begin. This knowledge of the structure’s weak points, presence of hazardous materials, contents of equipment within the structure, fire protective measures, etc. is essential for providing a safe work environment for your employees. Employers must have in writing evidence that this survey has been performed.

Failure to provide fall protection for employees exposed to wall openings (greater than 6 feet in height).

OSHA requires the use of fall protection in certain situations where employees will be using stairs, ladders, or working near wall openings. The protective measures found in Subpart M - Fall Protection and Subpart X - Stairways and Ladders will outline the necessary action you need to take to assure employees are protected from falls.

Failure to provide shoring or bracing for walls to prevent premature collapse.

The OSHA 1926.850 regulation outlines that where employees are required to work within a structure to be demolished that has been damaged by fire, flood, explosion, etc., the walls or floor must be shored or braced to prevent premature or inadvertent collapse. Additionally, any wall sections in areas where employees will access that stand more than one story high cannot stand alone without lateral bracing, unless the wall was originally designed and constructed to stand without lateral support, and is in a condition safe enough to be self-supporting.

Failure to properly inspect and maintain stairways and ladders in a safe condition for employee use.

Employers must designate specific passageways, stairs, ladders, etc. as a means of employee access to a structure being demolished and only those designated areas may be used. Other non-designated areas must be closed off at all times. These designated areas must be periodically inspected and maintained in a clean safe condition and be provided with such items as natural or artificial lighting, overhead protection from falling objects etc.

Failure to properly test and remove hazardous materials from within the structure before performing demolition work, and not providing sidewalk shed covers to protect employee entrances to the structure.

As noted in item A), a preliminary test must be performed prior to commencing with the demo work to determine what hazardous materials are present. All hazardous materials found within the structure must be addressed first. Next, OSHA requires safe entrance to the structure to be demolished to protect employees from objects falling onto them as they enter the work area. Overhead shed and/or canopy protection needs to extend at least 8 feet out from the face of the structure and must be at least 2 feet wider than the structures entrance or opening (1 foot wider on each side is permitted). The overhead protection (shed/canopy) must be able to sustain a load of 150 pounds per square foot.

For a more in-depth review of the regulation requirements for demolition work, please refer to sections 1926.850 thru 1926.860 Subpart-T of the Code of Federal Regulations.

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