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Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Regulations

Construction Regulations, 2014

14. Demolition work

 

(1) A contractor must appoint a competent person in writing to supervise and control all demolition work on site.

 

(2) A contractor must ensure that before any demolition work is carried out, and in order to ascertain the method of demolition to be used, a detailed structural engineering survey of the structure to be demolished is carried out by a competent person and that a method statement on the procedure to be followed in demolishing the structure is developed by that person.

 

(3) During a demolition, the competent person contemplated in subregulation (1) must check the structural integrity of the structure at intervals determined in the method statement contemplated in subregulation (2), in order to avoid any premature collapses.

 

(4)        A contractor who performs demolition work must—

(a)        with regard to a structure being demolished, take steps to ensure that—

(i) no floor, roof or other part of the structure is overloaded with debris or material in a manner which would render it unsafe;
(ii) all reasonably practicable precautions are taken to avoid the danger of the structure collapsing when any part of the framing of a framed or partly framed building is removed, or when reinforced concrete is cut; and
(iii) precautions are taken in the form of adequate shoring or other means that may be necessary to prevent the accidental collapse of any part of the structure or adjoining structure;
(b) ensure that no person works under overhanging material or a structure which has not been adequately supported, shored or braced;
(c) ensure that any support, shoring or bracing contemplated in paragraph (b), is designed and constructed so that it is strong enough to support the overhanging material;
(d) where the stability of an adjoining building, structure or road is likely to be affected by demolition work on a structure, take steps to ensure the stability of such structure or road and the safety of persons;
(e) ascertain as far as is reasonably practicable the location and nature of electricity, water, gas or other similar services which may in any way be affected by the work to be performed, and must before the commencement of demolition work that may affect any such service, take the steps that are necessary to render circumstances safe for all persons involved;
(f) cause every stairwell used and every floor where work is being performed in a building being demolished, to be adequately illuminated by either natural or artificial means;
(g) cause convenient and safe means of access to be provided to every part of the demolition site in which persons are required to work; and
(h) erect a catch platform or net above an entrance or passageway or above a place where persons work or pass under, or fence off the danger area if work is being performed above such entrance, passageway, or place so as to ensure that all persons are kept safe where there is a danger or possibility of persons being struck by falling objects.

 

(5) A contractor must ensure that no material is dropped to any point, which falls outside the exterior walls of the structure, unless the area is effectively protected.

 

(6) No person may dispose of waste and debris from a high place by a chute unless the chute—
(a) is adequately constructed and rigidly fastened;
(b) if inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees to the horizontal, is enclosed on its four sides;
(c) if of the open type, is inclined at an angle of less than 45 degrees to the horizontal;
(d) where necessary, is fitted with a gate at the bottom end to control the flow of material; and
(e) discharges into a container or an enclosed area surrounded by barriers.

 

(7) A contractor must ensure that every chute used to dispose of rubble is designed in such a manner that rubble does not free-fall and that the chute is strong enough to withstand the force of the debris travelling along the chute.

 

(8) A contractor must ensure that no equipment is used on floors or working surfaces, unless such floors or surfaces are of sufficient strength to support the imposed loads.

 

(9) Where a risk assessment indicates the presence of asbestos, a contractor must ensure that all asbestos related work is conducted in accordance with the Asbestos Regulations, 2001, promulgated by Government Notice No. R. 155 of 10 February 2002.

 

(10) Where a risk assessment indicates the presence of lead, a contractor must ensure that all lead related work is conducted in accordance with the Lead Regulations, 2001 , promulgated by Government Notice No. R. 236 of 28 February 2002.

 

(11) Where the demolition work involves the use of explosives, a method statement must be developed in accordance with the applicable explosives legislation, by an appointed person who is competent in the use of explosives for demolition work and all persons involved in the demolition works must adhere to demolition procedures issued by the appointed person.

 

(12) A contractor must ensure that all waste and debris are as soon as reasonably practicable removed and disposed of from the site in accordance with the applicable legislation.