As the pressure continues to redevelop brownfield sites, there is the need to dismantle defunct buildings, and provide site clearance. A paramount consideration during any demolition or structural alteration of buildings is that it is conducted safely and in a controlled manner for members of staff, sub-contractors and the general public.

Hazards can be numerous and varied, and these can include;

Falling from heights. This can include falling off the edge of building structures, through openings or off partly removed floors. Risk assessments need to be made for safe access, control of work on fragile surfaces and safe use of ladders and scaffolding structures.

Falling objects. Injuries sustained from being hit by parts of the building structure or from tools or other equipment. Exclusion areas and hard hat use, together with covered walkways and reinforced cabs on machines, and use of high reach equipment should form part of any safety plan.

Collapsed structures. Injuries from crush, lacerations and entrapment. Weight loadings, age of premises, former use of premises and surrounding structures should form part of any safety assessment.

Risks from connected services. Gas, electricity and telecommunications supply needs to be isolated or disconnected to prevent accidents. If this is not possible then any pipes or cables should be clearly identified by labelling.

Noise and vibration. Dangers exist to hearing from noise generated during demolition, and power tools need to be assessed to prevent hand vibration injuries. Suitable ear protection should be made available, and all hand held power tools (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic) need to be assessed for exposure levels established.

Hazardous materials. During removal workers can come into contact with asbestos, flammable liquids, paints and acids (covered by COSHH regulations), dust hazards, and microbiological hazards (particularly for hospitals etc.). Identification of all site hazards, and supply of protective equipment to handle such dangerous substances.

Risks from outbreak of fire.  Where sparks, heat or flames are generated during demolition there is the potential for fire.  A fire plan should be regularly updated identifying escape routes, location of fire fighting equipment and fire action training.

Risks from traffic accidents. Plant mobile equipment and vehicles used to remove debris from the site. A traffic plan should be established with designated pedestrian and vehicular routes, clearly marked crossing points, with controlled access for vehicles and establishing turning areas.

Risks from rodents and insects. Potential bites, stings and inhalation of contaminated dust from urine and faeces. It is necessary to provide protective clothing (ie gloves, dust masks), and have a policy on disposal of carcases.

Label Source can assist you with safety induction of staff and subcontractors with our range of health and safety signs to the latest legislation to identify workplace hazards, mark prescribed pedestrian and vehicle routes, fire equipment and access routes, and to identify the mandatory use of protective equipment and workwear. Also, we supply a range of construction related barrier tapes and underground utility pipe and cable marking tapes.

The construction industry is getting to grips with The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM), which came into force on the 6^th April 2015. The aim is to improve the health and safety record within the construction sector, thus leading to a reduction in the number of accidents, and as a consequence less serious injuries and fatalities.

The regulations have a very wide remit, and the intention is to streamline the construction process between designers, main contractors and sub-contractors, so that there are less ‘grey areas’ of responsibility and clear lines of demarkation, with the promotion of health, safety and welfare. This includes the managing of risk, with emphasis on the co-ordination of work, suitable appropriate training, use of suitable skilled staff and the means of communication.

The remit of these regulations cover the planning, management, monitoring and co-ordination  in construction and building refurbishment of commercial, industrial, retail and domestic projects,  including site preparation and demolition. It includes the following aspects;

Fall from heights, including use of ladders, platforms, scaffolding, towers, and fragile roofs.

The use of support systems to prevent collapse of excavations or building structures.

Exposure to airborne particles and fumes, with inhalation of dust, lime, lead , asbestos or from vehicle diesel exhaust.

Electrical hazards from electrical systems in buildings, overhead or buried power lines.

Slips, trips and falls on uneven surfaces, alterations in levels, trailing wires, obstacles or wet or slippery floor surfaces.

Fire hazards for the safe storage of combustible materials and control of sources of ignition, including fire training on escape routes, assembly or muster points, or the location of fire fighting equipment.

Safe operation of cranes.

Safe operation of mobile plant and vehicles, including excavators, mobile work platforms, dumper trucks and road vehicles.

Site traffic control, and the prevention of entry to unauthorised persons, including the general public, and in particular children. Also, this covers car parking, site speed restrictions, and deliveries.

Housekeeping of materials storage, and management of waste (skips, wheelie bins, chutes).

Control of hazardous substances and dangerous chemicals.

Protection against physical hazards, such as noise, vibration through use of power tools, manual handling and repetitive strain.

Employee welfare, such as toilet, wash, rest facilities, and first aid.

Label Source can assist you in meeting your obligations by supplying health and safety labels and signs to the latest legislation for CDM applications, to highlight operational dangers and hazards, prohibited activities, mandatory actions (including the use of personal protective equipment supplied), and safe operating conditions. These can be used in your induction and training activities for site specific activities, so that all employees are suited to their roles in a safe working environment. Also see our ranges of tapes and barrier mesh for use on building sites and work excavations.

Falls from heights remains the most common cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, with 39 deaths in 2013-14, which was 29% of total fatalities as reported by the HSE. It is a figure that remains stubbornly high, while there has been progress in reducing numbers, reported by employees, from other causes in the last five years. While the level of reported non-fatal injuries from falls was 2895 in 2013-14, well below the peak of 4684 of 2008-09, still there is much more training and safety education required to continue this downward trend.

Furthermore, fall injuries led to 567,000 working days (as reported by employees) lost in 2013-14, and there were 5952 recorded fall from height injuries from the same grouping.

The major industry for fatalities continues to be construction, including electricians and roofers, with other high risk sectors being agriculture, water supply, manufacturing, transport and storage, administration and support (the last mentioned including landscape gardeners, window cleaners and even social care workers).

In 2013-14 there were 73 convictions for breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, slightly down on the peak figure of 81 in 2012-13, and the average fine was in excess of £8000.00.

Major causes of falls from height include falling through fragile surfaces, being hit by falling objects, operating in dangerous areas, coming into contact with machinery as a result of a fall, use of inadequate work equipment, or misuse of such equipment.

To emphasise the dangers of working at heights, Label Source supply a range of health and safety signs to warn of the inherent risks and dangers, as well as mandatory notices for the use of personal protective equipment, and maintenance labels and tags for use on work equipment.