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    New South Wales · OnShift Education

    The demolition supervisor’s fieldbook

    Planning, risk control and site supervision

    Demolition changes both a structure and the conditions around it. Removing one element can alter load paths, expose hazardous materials or change the interaction between plant, workers and neighbouring properties. Supervision connects these physical changes with the engineering information, work sequence and controls needed at each stage.

    Contents

    Introduction
    PART 01

    Foundations of demolition supervision

    1. 01Demolition as controlled change
    2. 02Experience and sound judgement
    3. 03The NSW demolition context
    4. 04Observation and verification
    5. 05Clear technical communication
    6. 06Hazards, controls and decision authority
    PART 02

    The demolition business compliance system

    1. 07Law, standards and project controls
    2. 08HSEQ systems and minimum standards
    3. 09Roles, responsibilities, authority and escalation
    4. 10Consultation, communication, induction, training and toolbox talks
    5. 11Fitness for work, fatigue, wellbeing and worker support
    6. 12Audits, inspections, incident investigation and continuous improvement
    7. 13Records, registers, diaries and document control
    PART 03

    Hazard and risk control

    1. 14Hazard identification and the hierarchy of control
    2. 15Structural integrity, falling objects and flying debris
    3. 16Services, isolation and hazardous energy
    4. 17Plant, people and exclusion zones
    5. 18Dust, silica, airborne contaminants, noise and vibration
    6. 19Fire, explosion, residual fuels and hot-work interfaces
    7. 20Working at heights, confined spaces and rescue planning
    8. 21Traffic, public protection and neighbouring properties
    9. 22Water, stormwater, groundwater, waste and environmental protection
    10. 23Hazardous materials and asbestos interfaces
    PART 04

    Demolition planning and project documents

    1. 24Scope, specifications and site information
    2. 25Site inspection and pre-commencement checks
    3. 26Demolition work plans and sequencing
    4. 27SWMS, risk assessments and control verification
    5. 28Environmental, traffic and emergency plans
    6. 29Permits, notifications and authorisations
    7. 30Inductions, briefings, communication and change control
    8. 31Project resources, schedules, plant and workforce planning
    PART 05

    Plant, tools and operational knowledge

    1. 32Small plant and equipment selection
    2. 33Hand tools, demolition tools and equipment limitations
    3. 34Pre-starts, maintenance, faults and safe operating information
    4. 35Small-structure demolition processes and sequencing
    5. 36Hot work: cutting, grinding, gas equipment and fire prevention
    6. 37LEL concepts, atmospheric hazards and escalation
    7. 38Materials, stockpiles, salvage, recycling and load-out
    PART 06

    Plans, structures and engineering interface

    1. 39Demolition plans, drawing views and specifications
    2. 40Legends, symbols, abbreviations, scale, levels and dimensions
    3. 41Plan currency, amendments and site orientation
    4. 42Structural systems and load paths
    5. 43Structural behaviour: compression, tension, bending and combined actions
    6. 44Floors, walls, roofs, cladding, columns and retaining systems
    7. 45Soil, ground capacity, temporary works and adjacent structures
    8. 46Engineering reports and conditions for stopping work
    PART 07

    Supervision through the project lifecycle

    1. 47Preparing the team and work area
    2. 48Monitoring work against the plan
    3. 49Responding to changed conditions and stopping work
    4. 50Quality, productivity, housekeeping and environmental performance
    5. 51Incidents, emergencies, rescue and recovery
    6. 52Clean-up, records, debrief and improvement
    PART 08

    Project decisions and technical references

    1. 53A depot project from scope to handover
    2. 54Connecting project decisions
    3. 55How project documents connect
    4. 56Technical glossary
    5. 57Plans and diagrams
    6. 58Forms and registers
    7. 59Seeking and interpreting specialist advice