Product Overview

Summary: This Demolition Procedures Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step method for planning and carrying out demolition works safely and legally in Australia. It helps businesses control high‑risk activities, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate compliance with WHS duties for demolition and structural work.

Demolition work is classified as high‑risk construction in every Australian jurisdiction, involving unstable structures, hidden services, hazardous materials and powerful plant. Without a robust and consistent procedure, businesses expose workers, subcontractors and the public to serious harm, and leave themselves vulnerable to prosecutions, enforceable undertakings and costly project shutdowns. This Demolition Procedures Safe Operating Procedure provides a practical, end‑to‑end framework for planning, sequencing and executing demolition tasks in a controlled and defensible way.

The SOP guides you from initial site assessment and engineering review through to service isolation, hazardous materials identification (including asbestos and lead paint), exclusion zone setup, and controlled demolition using manual and mechanical methods. It embeds WHS risk management, consultation and permit controls into day‑to‑day operations, rather than treating them as paperwork afterthoughts. By adopting this procedure, organisations can standardise how demolition is managed across sites, improve contractor coordination, and ensure that emergency preparedness, waste handling and environmental considerations are addressed alongside safety and compliance.

Written specifically for the Australian regulatory environment, this SOP helps duty holders meet their obligations under WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice. It delivers a clear, training‑ready document that supervisors can apply on site, while also providing the structure and evidence base that auditors, regulators and clients expect on high‑risk demolition projects.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and Codes of Practice for demolition and construction work.
• Reduce the risk of structural collapse, falls, struck‑by incidents and service strikes during demolition activities.
• Standardise demolition planning, permits and site controls across multiple projects and contractors.
• Improve coordination between engineers, supervisors, plant operators and subcontractors through clearly defined roles and communication steps.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, regulators and insurers with a documented, repeatable demolition procedure.

Who is this for?

• Demolition Contractors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Principal Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Civil Engineers
• Structural Engineers
• Plant Operators (Excavators, Cranes, Skid Steers)
• Asbestos Removal Supervisors
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Uncontrolled structural collapse of buildings, walls and temporary supports
• Falls from height during roof, floor or façade removal
• Struck‑by injuries from falling debris, materials or plant attachments
• Contact with live electrical, gas, water or telecommunications services
• Exposure to asbestos, lead‑based paint, silica dust and other hazardous materials
• Plant and vehicle interactions with pedestrians and other workers
• Noise and vibration impacts on workers and surrounding properties
• Manual handling strains from handling debris and heavy components
• Fire and explosion risks from flammable residues, gas lines or confined spaces
• Public exposure to dust, debris, noise and site access hazards

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Regulatory Context
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Pre‑Demolition Planning and Engineering Assessment
• 6.0 Site Assessment, Surveys and Hazard Identification
• 7.0 Service Location, Isolation and Verification (Electrical, Gas, Water, Comms)
• 8.0 Hazardous Materials Management (Asbestos, Lead, Silica and Contaminants)
• 9.0 Permits, Notifications and Approvals (Regulators and Local Authorities)
• 10.0 Selection of Demolition Methods (Manual, Mechanical, Partial, Structural)
• 11.0 Plant, Equipment and PPE Requirements
• 12.0 Establishing Exclusion Zones, Barricades and Public Protection
• 13.0 Step‑by‑Step Demolition Procedure and Sequencing
• 14.0 Work at Height Controls and Edge Protection
• 15.0 Dust, Noise and Vibration Control Measures
• 16.0 Waste Segregation, Handling and Disposal
• 17.0 Traffic Management and Plant–Pedestrian Interaction Controls
• 18.0 Environmental Management (Run‑off, Air Quality, Neighbouring Properties)
• 19.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Collapse, Service Strike, Injury)
• 20.0 Monitoring, Inspections and Structural Stability Checks
• 21.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Reporting
• 22.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia), including Part 6.3 Demolition Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Demolition Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos
• AS 2601: The demolition of structures
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding (series), where temporary access or edge protection is used
• AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall‑arrest systems and devices (series)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment