Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00409:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00409
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 60908–63790

dust and hazardous chemicals.
To manage the risk of unplanned collapses, the condition of roofs, walls and floors of the building should be assessed by a competent person before commencing demolition work.

Where concrete members are being demolished manually, the reinforcement shall not be cut while breaking of the concrete is in progress.

Where pre and post-tension demolition work is undertaken competent person advice should be sought as to demolition sequence. More information on the demolition of pre and post- tensioned concrete is at Section 6.1 of this Code.

Areas where debris will fall should be barricaded off and signs erected to prevent persons from entering before demolition starts.

Manual demolition of roofs
Controlling the risk of falls of persons or objects is an important consideration for roof work.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to demolish a roof using mechanical means or to remove the roofing from work platforms below the roof, then careful consideration should be given to the most suitable method of protection for workers engaged in the removal of the roofing. For example, roof trusses should be removed using safe temporary work platforms. It is important to ensure that the removal of trusses does not cause wall instability.

Prior to commencing roof demolition or dismantling, you should consider:
    * fall hazards
    * structural stability
    * condition and strength of the roofing material and the identification of fragile roofing
    * identification of fragile panels or skylights in solid roofs
    * crane access
    * safe worker access and egress
    * fall protection requirements including issues such as perimeter protection, the availability
      and strength of anchor points for static lines, inertia reels and lanyards and the suitability
      of roof structure for the use of safety nets
    * means of rescuing persons from safety nets or safety harnesses
    * the condition of any roof mesh or safety mesh
    * methods of raising and lowering equipment and materials
    * assessment of manual handling problems
    * electrical safety including the location of nearby power lines, and
    * worker competency and training needs.

Fragile roofs
Before working on the roof, the roof should be inspected to identify that it is structurally adequate to work on and whether there is any brittle material or if the roof has a fragile aspect to it (for example a skylight or worn section).

Brittle or fragile roofing material can include roofing made of asbestos cement, cellulose cement, glass panels, fibreglass, acrylic or other similar synthetic moulded or fabricated material used to sheath a roof or contained in a roof.

If asbestos cement roofing is involved, the work must be undertaken in accordance with the asbestos related requirements of the WHS Regulations. Further information can be found in