Selecting the essential items for the discussion of safety during demolition might sound like a generic task to do. But it is important to consider what the topics or items for discussion are relevant to the activity. Discussing a topic that isn't relevant might be a waste of time, and the critical points needed to be discussed might be compromised. In this section, we will cover the most commonly important demolition safety topics.

Demolition Safety Topic #1 - Personal Protective Equipment

Mediaeval warfare saw fighters don armour and carry shields to guard against enemy onslaught. Their main defences from swords cutting their bodies and pointed arrows penetrating their flesh are these armours and shields. The similar defensive armour required to guard workers from injury and hazards arising from certain tasks is personal protective equipment.

To further enhance these armours and shields, companies and organisations need to discuss their importance, when it is appropriate to wear them, how to properly use them, and the relevant hazards these items shield you from. Without the basic understanding of the PPE to be used, these items might just prove useless in the field, or worse, make them a source of the hazards themselves.

Fall Protection

During the demolition process, there might be times where workers need to stand from an elevated platform. These can be dangerous if the proper measures aren't deployed. To eliminate this dangerous situation, there must be a documented programme on fall protection. This should detail all the necessary steps to prevent and eliminate the possibility of falling from heights.

Discussions of these steps are crucial, especially when the platform to stand on is high enough to cause serious injury when a fall occurs. Safety measure devices, like harnesses, should also be taken into account during the meeting. A discussion for its inspection before use and before climbing must take place to put emphasis on the fact that the inspection is a necessary step since these devices are the lifeline when workers are doing their tasks in a high, elevated area. This is a must-discussion if activities require working at heights.

Hazard Identification and Risk Management

Hazard identification is part of the process for determining whether a specific scenario, material, or thing has the potential to cause harm. The term frequently used to describe the entire process is risk assessment. Identify hazards and risk factors that may cause injury (hazard identification).

The most common high risk activity identification and risk management process in construction include Safe Work Method Statements for Demolition (mostly used in Australia and New Zealand), and Job Hazard Analysis forms for Demolition in other regions like North America.

Since these documents were created to forecast the possibilities of the hazards, discussing them would be vital for your workers. Being aware of the hazard and the potential impact it could have raises the responsibility of the workers towards themselves, their coworkers, and their environment. The documents also explain the importance of the safety controls. Being aware of this reinforces the implementation of these measures, ensuring a safer working environment.

Machinery and Equipment Safety

Machines were created to make human life easier. They produce work faster and much more efficiently than us without almost needing to rest. They have been a symbol of human ingenuity and intelligence. However, despite their potential to simplify our lives, they can also create a significant amount of danger.

These machines that we build pose hazards that could potentially injure, or worse, take someone's life. Of course, we humans are as innovative as ever. We also created countermeasures to eliminate or mitigate these hazards and maintain safety in operating and maintaining these machines. To effectively implement these measures, educating the workers would be the key. Discussing the correct process, the do's and don'ts, and knowing the signals can guarantee a safe working area around these machines and equipment.

One of the most reliable methods of ensuring the safe operating of demolition equipment is through proper demolition checklist templates which include pre starts and other critical process documentation.

Emergency Response Procedure Demolition Safety Topics

In an industrial setting, the possibility of an emergency is always taken into account. These emergencies can be a natural occurance or due to an industrial mishap. Natural emergencies refer to the occurrences of natural forces in nature. Examples are earthquakes, tornadoes, and typhoons. Emergencies due to industrial mishaps are usually the result of an error in the process. Examples of these are fires, explosions, and chemical and toxic spills. Organisations are required to place an emergency response procedure if ever these emergencies occur. One way of properly implementing these procedures is to discuss these emergency response procedures through training. Training personnel in these protocols and procedures makes them prepared for these situations. Preparedness is the key to effectively getting through these dire times, so it is paramount to instill these procedures into the minds of the workers.

Communication and Teamwork

One of the least talked about demolition safety topics is just general communication between team members around demolition works.

To have effective teamwork requires proper communication. By communication, it means the receiver fully understands the message the sender is trying to imply. Clear communication is vital in any industrial setting, especially when the message being conveyed is crucial to maintaining the safety of the workers. It is vital to educate your workers on how to communicate effectively in work settings.

The basics of communication would be sufficient to let them understand how to communicate properly. These basics will let them know about how the sender should speak clearly, what modes of communication should be used, how body language could be used as a supplement to make messages clearer, and how feedback should always be done. With this, teamwork would always be established and safety would always be practiced.

Controlling Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic

There are times when certain activities reach urban areas. These are usually common in the construction industry. Having said this, it is necessary that companies and organisations place measures to avoid civilian injuries and casualties. One of the most effective measures that has been practiced is controlling vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This is a strategy that reroutes roads and walkways to areas that are near ongoing construction activities. These roads and walkways near the activity are often blocked, and warning signs are placed in them. It is also very important to have your workers aware of these areas. This will be a clear indication on which side of the building they are safe to work without risking any civilian casualties.

Mitigating Noise Levels

The safe capacity for humans to hear is 85 decibels. Long exposure to noise higher than that can damage the internal parts of your ear and can lead to permanent hearing loss. Unfortunately, in many industries, there are machines and equipment that produce noise higher than 85 decibels. It is inevitable that workers are exposed to this noise. Because of this, companies and organisations should have a hearing conservation programme. OSHA claims that hearing conservation programmes aim to stop first occupational hearing loss, conserve and protect remaining hearing, and provide workers with the knowledge and hearing protection tools they need to protect themselves. Unless changes made to tools, equipment, or schedules result in worker noise exposure levels less than the 85 decibels, employers are required to measure noise levels, offer free annual hearing exams, hearing protection, and training, and evaluate the fit of the hearing protectors in use.

Vibration Risks and Management

Vibration exposure might be bad for your staff members' health. It might compromise muscles, joints, circulation, and sensory nerves. This could cause great suffering, time off, or perhaps disability.Regularly high levels of vibration from portable tools and equipment generate hand-arm vibration (HAV). Another possible cause could be materials coming into contact with cutting or grinding processes. Workers who operate chainsaws, grinders, strimmers, and polishers—among other power tools and cutting instruments—may find HAV problematic. It is a need for organisations to control the hours of use of high-vibration equipment and raise awareness about its effects to save workers from having such work-related injuries.

Assessing Load-Bearing Structures

Load-bearing capacity is the highest weight a structure can sustain without either collapsing or causing notable damage.Understanding the importance of load-bearing capacity helps builders, engineers, and architects to design not just strong and safe but also creative and environmentally friendly buildings. Load-bearing capacity is an absolutely important factor of structural design that cannot be disregarded. It is the basis upon which environmentally friendly and safe constructions are erected.