Plan the demolition by structural stage, with machine position, load paths, services, hazardous materials, debris removal and exclusion boundaries defined before breaking starts.
Hydraulic-breaker demolition
This is reference content written and revised with AI. It has not been verified or approved by a professional. Review by a suitably qualified professional and site authorisation are required before use.
Stop work
Stop if a critical control is missing, the conditions change, an unplanned movement occurs, or an exclusion boundary is breached. Secure the area. The responsible competent person must resolve the cause, document the evidence and obtain site authorisation before restart.
1. Legal and technical scope
| Basis | Application limits |
|---|---|
| HSE — Demolition | HSE guidance for Great Britain: competent planning, structural condition, changing load paths and demolition/debris zones. |
| HSE — Structural stability | CDM-related stability guidance. Ordinary scaffolding is not structural restraint for a building and does not justify reducing the exclusion zone. |
HSE guidance for Great Britain: competent planning, structural condition, changing load paths and demolition/debris zones. CDM-related stability guidance. Ordinary scaffolding is not structural restraint for a building and does not justify reducing the exclusion zone.
Apply the project’s CDM arrangements and demolition method statement. The planned sequence must account for temporary loss of restraint and debris accumulation. Monitoring is not a substitute for checking every structural stage. BS 6187 was not reviewed in full.
2. Scope and required inputs
Included scope
Planning, preparation, execution, controlled shutdown and handover are covered by the eight stages below. Each stage requires site-specific inputs and competent review.
Separate review
Explosive demolition, deliberate collapse, unplanned cutting of prestressing tendons and entry into unstable remnants are excluded.
| Required input | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Survey and plan | Survey and drawings · Stage load checks · Support design · Engineer release |
| Isolate services | Isolation certificates · Service markings · Material survey · Void investigation |
| Check machine | Machine and breaker IDs · Coupler test record · Hose defect status · Protection suitability |
| Position and exclude | Bearing assessment · Traffic plan · Zone boundaries · Signal test |
| Break in sequence | Current stage drawing · No people in zone · Support condition · Stage hold point |
| Monitor exposure | Dust-control function · Exposure assessment · Crack and movement log · Site trigger levels |
| Remove debris | Debris load tally · Truck loading plan · Route clearance · Waste classification |
| Stop and hand over | Isolation verification · Residual-stability record · Equipment defects · Next-stage release |
Public sources were checked on 12 October 2026. Paid standards, project calculations and the actual equipment manuals were not reviewed in full. This is not a compliance certificate. Confirm the applicable jurisdiction, current texts and model instructions before use.
Select head, eye, hand and foot protection for the actual hazards and compatibility. Respiratory, hearing, electrical and fall protection require task-specific selection and training; equipment must not create an additional hazard. PPE does not replace isolation, structural stability or exclusion.
3. Eight-stage JSA
| Job stage | Hazards and effects | Failure factors | Technical and procedural controls | Site verification | P | S | R | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey and plan | 1. Progressive collapse2. Weak suspended slab3. Adjacent damage4. Prestress release | 1. Load path unknown2. Plant loads omitted3. Shoring removed4. Tendons unlocated | 1. Engineer staged sequence2. Assess plant and debris loads3. Design support through floors4. Special plan for prestress | 1. Survey and drawings2. Stage load checks3. Support design4. Engineer release | ||||
| 2. Isolate services | 1. Electrocution2. Gas explosion3. Asbestos fibres4. Hidden void collapse | 1. Plans taken as proof2. Live services cut3. No hazardous-material survey4. Scan used alone | 1. Verify services in field2. Isolate with owners3. Survey and abate materials4. Confirm voids by safe checks | 1. Isolation certificates2. Service markings3. Material survey4. Void investigation | ||||
| 3. Check machine | 1. Attachment falls2. Hydraulic injection3. Cab penetration4. Uncontrolled movement | 1. Coupler not locked2. Hose pinhole leak3. Wrong protection4. Incompatible breaker | 1. Follow model instructions2. Verify coupler engagement3. Inspect without hand leak test4. Check cab and safety devices | 1. Machine and breaker IDs2. Coupler test record3. Hose defect status4. Protection suitability | ||||
| 4. Position and exclude | 1. Machine overturns2. Crushing in swing3. Debris strikes public4. Edge collapse | 1. Weak operating bench2. Spotter enters radius3. Barrier too close4. Escape route blocked | 1. Approve machine position2. Separate people and plant3. Size zone for collapse/debris4. Keep withdrawal route clear | 1. Bearing assessment2. Traffic plan3. Zone boundaries4. Signal test | ||||
| 5. Break in sequence | 1. Unplanned collapse2. Flying fragments3. Falling wall4. Loss of stability | 1. Undercut support2. Excessive bite3. Work below unstable mass4. Plan bypassed | 1. Follow approved stages2. Use suitable shielding3. Keep cab outside danger4. Stop before changing sequence | 1. Current stage drawing2. No people in zone3. Support condition4. Stage hold point | ||||
| 6. Monitor exposure | 1. Silica inhalation2. Hearing damage3. Vibration effects4. Adjacent instability | 1. Water fails2. Cab seal leaks3. Alarm ignored4. Dust masks assumed enough | 1. Suppress dust at source2. Maintain suitable cab filtration3. Assess noise and respiration4. Stop at instability or limits | 1. Dust-control function2. Exposure assessment3. Crack and movement log4. Site trigger levels | ||||
| 7. Remove debris | 1. Floor overload2. Falling rubble3. Truck strike4. Sharp reinforcement | 1. Unplanned stockpile2. Oversize bucket load3. Person under bucket4. Cutting stressed bars | 1. Control pile loads2. Load in segregated area3. Keep clear of bucket path4. Plan bar cutting separately | 1. Debris load tally2. Truck loading plan3. Route clearance4. Waste classification | ||||
| 8. Stop and hand over | 1. Residual pressure2. Attachment drops3. Unstable remnant4. Unauthorised restart | 1. Raised tool left2. Accumulator still charged3. Defect unreported4. Access reopened | 1. Lower and secure attachment2. Isolate per manufacturer3. Secure remaining structure4. Record defects and handover | 1. Isolation verification2. Residual-stability record3. Equipment defects4. Next-stage release |
PDF A covers basic task controls; B focuses on technical failures; C covers supervision, records and handover. The article has eight stages with four items per main cell; each PDF has six key stages with three items per main cell. P/S/R/A, measurements, confirmations and signatures remain blank for actual site assessment.
4. Fictional scenario and failure mechanisms
Retained educational illustration; not evidence of an actual incident.
The scenario and record comparisons are fictional teaching examples, not records of real incidents, measurements, inspections, signatures or approvals.
| Item | Fictional scenario |
|---|---|
| Initial situation | An excavator is proposed for an upper-floor demolition stage. |
| Changed condition | Supports are omitted and debris accumulates beyond the planned area. |
| Failure path | The changing load path can overload the slab or supporting levels. |
| Possible outcome | A local failure could propagate and endanger the machine and people below; this is a hypothetical sequence. |
| Prevention barrier | Suspend work until stage loads, support installation and the exclusion area are rechecked. |
Failure mechanisms
Machine weight, breaker reactions and accumulated debris act together. A slab thickness, ground mat or vibration reading alone cannot demonstrate capacity. Shoring must transfer loads to verified supports through every affected level.
Use the actual carrier, attachment and coupler instructions. Moving hydraulic levers alone may not discharge accumulators; never search for a pressurised leak with a hand. Dust and noise controls require exposure assessment, not a universal respirator rating.
Decision sequence
| Decision stage | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Known facts | An excavator is proposed for an upper-floor demolition stage. |
| Unresolved matters | Supports are omitted and debris accumulates beyond the planned area. |
| Reason to hold | The changing load path can overload the slab or supporting levels. |
| Required evidence | Survey and drawings · Stage load checks · Support design · Engineer release |
| Restart decision | Suspend work until stage loads, support installation and the exclusion area are rechecked. Site evidence is pending; no work permission is granted by this document. |
5. Conditional decisions and common errors
| Condition | Action | Evidence | Proceed when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive collapse | Engineer staged sequence · Assess plant and debris loads · Design support through floors · Special plan for prestress | Survey and drawings · Stage load checks · Support design · Engineer release | Stage loads verified |
| Machine overturns | Approve machine position · Separate people and plant · Size zone for collapse/debris · Keep withdrawal route clear | Bearing assessment · Traffic plan · Zone boundaries · Signal test | Danger zone clear |
| Silica inhalation | Suppress dust at source · Maintain suitable cab filtration · Assess noise and respiration · Stop at instability or limits | Dust-control function · Exposure assessment · Crack and movement log · Site trigger levels | Controls functioning |
Similar situations, different decisions
The scenario and record comparisons are fictional teaching examples, not records of real incidents, measurements, inspections, signatures or approvals.
| Comparison | Situation A | Situation B |
|---|---|---|
| Survey and plan | Load path unknown · Plant loads omitted · Shoring removed · Tendons unlocated | Engineer staged sequence · Assess plant and debris loads · Design support through floors · Special plan for prestress |
| Position and exclude | Weak operating bench · Spotter enters radius · Barrier too close · Escape route blocked | Approve machine position · Separate people and plant · Size zone for collapse/debris · Keep withdrawal route clear |
| Monitor exposure | Water fails · Cab seal leaks · Alarm ignored · Dust masks assumed enough | Suppress dust at source · Maintain suitable cab filtration · Assess noise and respiration · Stop at instability or limits |
6. Roles and responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Work supervisor | Confirm the work method, resources, competence and stage permission. |
| Technical reviewer | Resolve design, electrical, structural or equipment questions within the person’s competence. |
| Authorised operator / worker | Inspect before use, follow the agreed method and stop when conditions change. |
| Area controller | Keep people outside the danger area and maintain agreed communications. |
| Handover authority | Review open defects, restrictions and evidence before returning the area or starting the next stage. |
Supervision, records, handover
| Job stage | Technical and procedural controls | Site verification |
|---|---|---|
| Plan review | 1. Review current method2. Assign technical owner3. Close critical queries | 1. Survey and drawings2. Reviewer and date3. Open-issue register |
| Competence | 1. Check task competence2. Assign stop authority3. Verify emergency readiness | 1. Training scope2. Briefing record3. Rescue plan |
| Prestart evidence | 1. Inspect actual asset2. Link evidence to stage3. Leave unchecked fields blank | 1. Machine and breaker IDs2. Inspector and time3. Evidence reference |
| Change control | 1. Stop and secure area2. Revise affected controls3. Obtain restart permission | 1. Change reason2. New evidence3. Restart authority |
| Shift handover | 1. Transfer isolation formally2. Assign zone controller3. Explain remaining hazards | 1. Isolation register2. Receiving person3. Restrictions and time |
| Closeout | 1. Quarantine defective items2. Confirm release conditions3. Archive factual records | 1. Defect disposition2. Release decision3. Record revision |
7. Hold points and record comparison
| Hold point | Evidence before release | Confirmation / approval |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Planning, preparation, execution, controlled shutdown and handover are covered by the eight stages below. Each stage requires site-specific inputs and competent review. | |
| HP-1 Survey and plan | Survey and drawings · Stage load checks · Support design · Engineer release | |
| HP-2 Position and exclude | Bearing assessment · Traffic plan · Zone boundaries · Signal test | |
| HP-3 Break in sequence | Current stage drawing · No people in zone · Support condition · Stage hold point | |
| HP-4 Stop and hand over | Isolation verification · Residual-stability record · Equipment defects · Next-stage release |
Complete after actual checks. Recheck after changes, defects or shift handover.
Record comparison examples
The scenario and record comparisons are fictional teaching examples, not records of real incidents, measurements, inspections, signatures or approvals.
The boxes are static record prompts, not interactive or saved approvals. A tick does not establish suitability or permission to restart. Record the evidence, person, time and unresolved issues; retain the change history.
| Record type | Insufficient record | Record checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Before start | Not verified or not recorded | □ Location and asset ID□ Verifier and time□ Evidence reference□ Unresolved issues |
| Critical control | Not verified or not recorded | □ Control checked□ Actual observation□ Inspector and time□ Decision authority |
| Change or stop | Not verified or not recorded | □ Change and reason□ Immediate protection□ Revised evidence□ Restart authorisation |
| Handover | Not verified or not recorded | □ Remaining hazards□ Equipment restrictions□ Receiving person and time□ Next inspection |
8. Site checklist and emergency response
| Check item | Result | Person / action |
|---|---|---|
| □ Survey and plan: Survey and drawings | ||
| □ Isolate services: Isolation certificates | ||
| □ Check machine: Machine and breaker IDs | ||
| □ Position and exclude: Bearing assessment | ||
| □ Break in sequence: Current stage drawing | ||
| □ Monitor exposure: Dust-control function | ||
| □ Remove debris: Debris load tally | ||
| □ Stop and hand over: Isolation verification | ||
| □ Release / handover authority |
Stop work
Stop if a critical control is missing, the conditions change, an unplanned movement occurs, or an exclusion boundary is breached. Secure the area. The responsible competent person must resolve the cause, document the evidence and obtain site authorisation before restart.
Emergency response
Stop work and warn others from a safe position. Isolate energy only where safe. Activate the site emergency plan and local emergency services. Do not enter an unstable structure, touch an electrically exposed casualty or attempt an improvised suspended rescue. Use trained rescuers and the planned equipment.
9. Sources and review limits
2026-10-12
| Source | Scope and limitations |
|---|---|
| HSE — Demolition | HSE guidance for Great Britain: competent planning, structural condition, changing load paths and demolition/debris zones. |
| HSE — Structural stability | CDM-related stability guidance. Ordinary scaffolding is not structural restraint for a building and does not justify reducing the exclusion zone. |
This is reference content written and revised with AI. It has not been verified or approved by a professional. Review by a suitably qualified professional and site authorisation are required before use.
10. PDF guidance and FAQ
PDF A covers basic task controls; B focuses on technical failures; C covers supervision, records and handover. The article has eight stages with four items per main cell; each PDF has six key stages with three items per main cell. P/S/R/A, measurements, confirmations and signatures remain blank for actual site assessment.
Content group ID
jsa-structure-demolition
What must be confirmed for Survey and plan?
Required controls: Engineer staged sequence; Assess plant and debris loads; Design support through floors; Special plan for prestress. Evidence to record: Survey and drawings; Stage load checks; Support design; Engineer release.
What must be confirmed for Check machine?
Required controls: Follow model instructions; Verify coupler engagement; Inspect without hand leak test; Check cab and safety devices. Evidence to record: Machine and breaker IDs; Coupler test record; Hose defect status; Protection suitability.
What must be confirmed for Break in sequence?
Required controls: Follow approved stages; Use suitable shielding; Keep cab outside danger; Stop before changing sequence. Evidence to record: Current stage drawing; No people in zone; Support condition; Stage hold point.
What must be confirmed for Stop and hand over?
Required controls: Lower and secure attachment; Isolate per manufacturer; Secure remaining structure; Record defects and handover. Evidence to record: Isolation verification; Residual-stability record; Equipment defects; Next-stage release.
Has a professional verified or approved this document?
No. Public sources and editorial, layout and consistency checks were reviewed using AI. No site inspection or professional technical approval has been performed. Obtain appropriate professional review before use.
11. Revision history and authorship
This is reference content written and revised with AI. It has not been verified or approved by a professional. Review by a suitably qualified professional and site authorisation are required before use.
| Date | Version | Change | Review status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-26 | Original version unmarked | Original preserved | No professional approval |
| 2026-10-12 | 1.1 | Decisions, records, JSA and PDFs revised | No professional approval |
Retained the original work scope, illustration and valid inspection, isolation, exclusion and housekeeping controls. Replaced unsupported universal numbers, guaranteed outcomes and prefilled risk acceptance with evidence-based site decisions. Unverified incident narratives are now expressly hypothetical; unsupported professional validation claims are removed. Original JSON, body, PDF bindings and downloaded PDFs are preserved separately. Apply the project’s CDM arrangements and demolition method statement. The planned sequence must account for temporary loss of restraint and debris accumulation. Monitoring is not a substitute for checking every structural stage. BS 6187 was not reviewed in full.