West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 36 - Coal Mine Health And Safety › Title 36 - LEGISLATIVE EXEMPT RULE BOARD OF COAL MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY › Series 36-23 - Rules And Regulations Governing Surface Construction Operations Within The Coal Mining Industry Within The State Of WV › Section 36-23-39 - Demolition

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
39.1. Preparatory
				operations.
(a) Prior to permitting employees
				to start demolition operations, an engineering survey shall be made by a
				competent person of the structure to determine the condition of the framing,
				floors, and walls, and possibility of unplanned collapse of any portion of the
				structure. Any adjacent structure where employees may be exposed shall also be
				simi­larly checked. The employer shall have in writing evidence that
				such a survey has been performed.
(b) When employees are required to work
				within a structure to be demolished which has been damaged by fire, flood,
				explo­sion, or other cause, the walls or floor shall be shored or
				braced.
(c) All electric, gas,
				water, steam, sewer and other service lines shall be shut off, capped, or
				otherwise controlled, outside the building line before demolition work is
				started. In each case, any utility company which is involved shall be notified
				in advance.
(d) if it is necessary
				to maintain any power, water or other utilities during the demolition, such
				lines shall be temporarily relocated, as necessary,
and protected.
(e) It shall also be determined if any type
				of hazardous chemicals, gases, explosives, flammable materials, or similarly
				dangerous substances have been used in any pipes, tanks, or other equipment on
				the property. When the presence of any such substanc­es is apparent or
				suspected, testing and purging shall be per­formed and the hazard
				eliminated before demolition is started.
(f) Where a hazard exists from
				frag­mentation of glass, such hazards shall be
				re­moved.
(g) Where a hazard
				exists to employ­ees falling through wall openings, the opening shall be
				protected to a height of approxi­mately forty-two (42) inches.
(h) When debris is dropped through holes in
				the floor without the use of chutes, the area onto which the material is
				dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than forty-two
				(42) inches high and not less than six (6) feet back from the pro­jected
				edge of the opening above. Signs, warning of the hazard of falling materials
				shall be posted at each level and all areas shall be guarded against entry.
				Removal shall not be permitted in this lower area until debris han­dling
				ceases above.
(i) All floor
				openings, not used as material drops, shall be covered over with material
				substantial enough to support the weight of any load which may be imposed. such
				material shall be properly secured to prevent its accidental
				movement.
(j) Except for the
				cutting of holes in floors for chutes, holes through which to drop materials,
				preparation of storage space, and similar necessary preparatory work, the
				demo­lition of exterior walls and floor construction shall begin at the
				top of the structure and proceed downward. Each story of exterior wall and
				floor construction shall be removed and dropped into the storage space before
				commencing the removal of exterior walls and floors in the story next
				below.
(k) Employee entrances to
				multi-story structures being demolished shall be complete­ly protected
				by sidewalk sheds or canopies, or both, providing protection from the face of
				the building for a minimum of eight (8) feet. All such canopies shall be at
				least two (2) feet wider than the building entrances or openings (one (1) foot
				wider on each side thereof), and shall be capable of sustaining a load of one
				hundred fifty (150) pounds per square foot.