69. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite where demolition works are carried out to comply with regulations 70 to 76.
Preparation of demolition work
70.—(1) Before commencing any demolition work in a worksite —
(a)
all glass and claddings on the exterior of the building to be demolished shall be removed; and
(b)
all gas, electric, water, steam and other supply lines shall be shut off and capped.
(2) Where it is necessary to maintain any power, water, gas or electric lines during demolition in a worksite, such lines shall be so re-located or protected with substantial coverings so as to protect them from damage and to afford safety to every person.
Protection of adjacent structures
71.—(1) Before and during the demolition of any structure in a worksite, the stability of the walls, ceilings, slabs, beams and all other structures adjacent to the structure which are to be demolished shall be determined.
(2) Where there is a possibility that an adjacent structure is unsafe or will become unsafe because of demolition operations in a worksite, no demolition shall be performed unless sheet piling, shoring, bracing or such other means as may be necessary to ensure the stability of the adjacent structure and to prevent the structure or other property from collapsing is provided.
Removal of load bearing structures
72. Where any demolition work in a worksite involves the removal of any column, beam, floor or other load bearing structure, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the worksite to ensure that the work is carried out —
(a)
with due regard to the integrity of the remaining structure; and
(b)
in accordance with the method statement prepared by a professional engineer.
Demolition of walls, partitions, etc.
73.—(1) Demolition of walls and partitions in a worksite shall proceed in a systematic manner and all work above each tier of floor beams shall be completed before the safety of its supports is impaired.
(2) Masonry shall neither be loosened nor permitted to fall in a worksite in such masses as to endanger the structural stability of any floor or structural support.
(3) No wall, chimney or other structure or part of a structure which is being demolished in a worksite shall be left in such a condition that it may —
(a)
fall or collapse inadvertently; or
(b)
be weakened due to wind pressure, vibration or other causes.
(4) Where any demolition work in a worksite is carried out with the use of hand-tools —
(a)
safe footing in the form of sound flooring or scaffolds shall be provided for persons working on an exterior wall; and
(b)
walls or partitions shall not be left standing more than one storey above the uppermost floor on which persons are working.
Access to floor
74. There shall be provided at all times safe access to and egress from every building in the worksite in the course of demolition by means of entrances, hallways, stairways or ladder runs which shall be so protected as to safeguard the persons using them from falling material.
Barricades, catch platforms and warning signs
75.—(1) Where demolition operations are being carried out in a worksite, a substantial barricade with signs to warn persons from unauthorised entry into the worksite shall be erected along every sidewalk or thoroughfare bordering the demolition operations.
(2) During the demolition of an exterior masonry wall or a roof in a worksite, catch platforms shall be provided and maintained except where an exterior built-up scaffold provides equivalent protection.
Mechanical method of demolition
76.—(1) Where a swinging weight is used in demolition operations in a worksite —
(a)
the building or structure or remaining portion thereof shall be not more than 24 metres in height; and
(b)
a zone of demolition having a radius of at least one and a half times the height of the structure or portion thereof being so demolished shall be maintained around the points of impact.
(2) Where a clamshell bucket is being used for the demolition work in a worksite, a zone of demolition shall be maintained within 8 metres of the line of travel of the bucket.
(3) Where other mechanical contrivances are being used for the demolition work in a worksite, there shall be maintained in the area into which affected persons may fall an adequate zone of demolition to ensure the safety of the person.
(4) No person other than any person essential to the demolition work in a worksite shall be permitted to enter a zone of demolition which shall be provided with substantial barricades.
