Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/285780
Demo dangers Demolition work is unpredictable – be ready for any hazard Information for this Safety Watch is from an accident report, the Ameri- can National Standards Institute's A10.6-1983 - Safety Requirements For Demolition Operations and the Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration's Standard 1926.850(a). It is meant for general information only. Illustration by Don Lomax The accident: A construction company was demolishing a two- story warehouse. A large portion of the building had already been razed when the second floor col- lapsed onto the first, trapping three workers. Emergency personnel worked to support the hole to keep it from collapsing further while attempting to rescue the workers. One worker was killed and two others were injured. The bottom line: An investi- gation determined the floor fell because a worker cut through a first-floor support beam, causing the remainder of the structure to be- come unstable and collapse. Also, the company performing the work had been cited several times for violations, and had a fatal accident on a different site two years earlier. Demolition work is dangerous and unpredictable, and presents an opportunity for changing condi- tions even after your company's competent person has evaluated the site. Stay safe by following your company's demolition safety program, and also learning the potential hazards unique to each individual job. 1. Check the survey – Before demolishing any structure, your employer will have a compre- hensive engineering survey performed, which will evaluate the condition of the entire struc- ture and recommend measures necessary to prevent collapse. Familiarize yourself with all pos- sible hazards revealed by the survey. 2. Work from the top – In this accident, a worker cut a struc- tural beam that supported the floor above his fellow workers' heads. The demolition of floors and exterior walls should begin at the top of the structure and then proceed downward. Always remove the walls and floor from each story before starting on the floor below. 3. Report changes – With the evolving nature of demolition work, you may find yourself in a situation not outlined in the engineering survey. If you see unexpected or new jobsite con- ditions, report this information to your supervisor at once so the situation can be documented and evaluated for potential haz- ards to workers. safety watch | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com EquipmentWorld.com | April 2014 15 Date of safety talk: Leader: _____________________ Attending: