A demolition work is any kind of work that involves the complete dismantling of a structure or part of a structure. The structure can either be temporary or permanent, immovable or moveable like towers, storage tanks, sheds, buildings, storage towers and chimney stacks. When demolishing an element of a structure that is load bearing, it will be labeled as ‘high risk construction work’. When the demolition work involves high-risk construction work, you must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement. Demolition work that requires a report under the WHS Regulation include: - Demolition of any part of a building that supports the weight of other parts of the structure or is a fundamental part of the building’s core. - Demolition work that involves the use of explosives - Demolition work that consists of load shifting equipment on a suspended floor - Structure that has reached 6 metres high What differentiates demolition from deconstruction is that in deconstruction, it tears the building down but it preserves important elements that can be repurposed. Demolition work does not include the tearing down of false work; formwork, scaffolding or any other structure used to provide access, support or storage during the course of construction work. Furthermore, demolition is not involved in the removal of telecommunication poles, lights and power. The demolition process is much simpler for small structures like houses that consist of a maximum of three stories. The man-made structure is flattened either manually or mechanically through the use of sizable hydraulic equipment such as bulldozers, excavators and cranes. Meanwhile, for larger structures, a wrecking ball may be required. A wrecking ball is a heavy ball made of metal that is swung by a crane to hit a building for the purpose of demolishing it. Wrecking balls are highly effective when used against stonework but it has a couple of disadvantages. One, wrecking balls are difficult to control and two; they are less effective compared to modern methods. Today, the latest methods make use of rotating hydraulic shears as well as silenced rock-breakers that are affixed to excavators to penetrate through concrete, steel and wood. Make sure you comply all the needed requirements before you start the demolition work.