• Insufficient skills (competency) to complete the required task. 
• Inadequate competent supervision. 
• Planning for required equipment not carried out. 
• Improvisation using inappropriate equipment. 

• Access to work area cluttered – poor housekeeping. 
• Area around work area cluttered with stored materials and/or rubbish. 
• Inadequate access for demolishers and their equipment. 

• Poor lighting provided especially in basement areas.
• Access ways not suitably defined or lighted.

• Working in a confined space.
• Intake for asbestos decontamination, or other chamber positioned too close to diesel or other fumes.
• Petrol/ diesel driven equipment used.

• Inadequate strength in perimeter handrail or midrail and fenderboard missing.
• Gaps in perimeter protection, e.g. between screen or edge scaffold.
• No catch scaffold provided.

• Penetrations not fenced or covered, or cover not secured forming “trap”. 

• Poor planning of the demolition process. 
• Planning, including method of demolition not approved by the appropriate Authority. 

• No engineering solution for high noise level, e.g. quieter or muffled equipment.
• No temporary sound absorption screen or barrier to protect other persons in the area. 
• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 

• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 

• Hazardous substances survey not conducted prior to commencement of work. 
• Detailed removal techniques not documented. 
• Specialised workers (licensed) not involved in removal or workers not inducted. 
• Hazardous materials not reported when detected.
• Required precautions for removal, handling and disposal not followed. 
• Demolition techniques inappropriate for containment of hazardous material – scatter material over a wide area.
• Other workers not prevented  from entering areas where  hazardous materials exist or  are being removed.
• No warning signs or signs insufficient. 
• Hazardous material left on site after completion of work. 
• Bagged materials not removed before damage to bag/s occurs. 

•  No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 

• Personal protective clothing – sunscreen 15-30+, shirt, flap on hard hat not worn. 
• AS rated sunglasses not worn. 

• Licensed electrical contractor not used to switch off/isolate power. 
• On site labour do not treat all power circuits as live. 
• Pyro connection (fire backup for alarm) not identified, tagged and isolated. 
• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Other power source from outside the site not identified and disconnected. 
• Irregular unauthorised connections not identified and disconnected. 
• Temporary connections not identified, tagged and isolated. 

• Licensed Gas Plumber not used to isolate and switch off gas supply at source. 
• Residual vapour in mains not flushed with compressed air. 
• Workers attempt to fight a gas fire instead of notifying emergency services. 
• Leaks in pipes caused by heavy machinery loading. 
• Irregular unauthorised connections not identified and disconnected. 

• Insufficient identification and planning. 
• Dust ignition. 
• Chemical ignition. 
• Diesel/petroleum ignition. 
• Decommissioning of old chemical, or fuel tanks. 

• Short circuit. 
• Work area not cleared of combustible material prior to oxy cutting. 
• Stray spark from oxy or other. 
• 'Spotter' (additional worker) not used to watch for spot fires that may be caused by sparks from oxy cutting. 
• Material combustion. 
• Fire extinguisher not maintained or adjacent to work area. 
• Workers not trained in the use of fire fighting equipment. 

Protection of the public and site personnel 

• Dust not wet down. 
• No regular clean ups and removal. 
• Safety glasses not worn. 
• Poor separation and/or public protection in areas, which are still accessible to the public. 
• Perimeter scaffold not adequately screened e.g. wire mesh and fire retardant material. 

• Poor separation and/or public protection in areas that are still accessible to the public. 
• Uncontrolled collapse of large members or other material. 
• Insufficient planning for lowering or control of large materials. 

• Insufficient planning by engineer/s or other responsible persons. 
• Planning does not allow for adverse weather – e.g. high winds. 
• Façade foundation undermined. 
• Façade supporting structure struck by plant. 
• Poor separation and/or public protection in area that are still accessible to the public. 

•  Competent person not used for scaffold erection up to 4 metres in height. 
• Certificated Scaffolder not used to erect scaffold in excess of 4 metres in height. 
• Foundation unstable.
• Struck by plant.
• Scaffold not tied in at specified intervals or some/all ties have been removed. 
• Wrong type of scaffold used – not heavy duty. 
• Scaffold overloaded beyond safe working limits. 
• Different scaffold systems mixed together. 

• Certificated Dogger or Crane Driver not used. 
• Individual loads not inspected and cleared before lifting commences. 
• Slings not regularly inspected and tested. 
• Load not slung correctly. 
• Sling capacity overloaded. 
• Load strikes object, e.g. structure, when lifting or lowering. 
• Communication error between Dogger and Crane Driver. 
• Foundation for mobile crane unstable. 

• Unidentified sources within the structure 
• Contamination of area with friable asbestos. 
• Release of fibres during removal of: 
  • thermal acoustic materials containing asbestos on ceilings and beams etc. 
  • asbestos cement building materials e.g. roof and wall sheeting. 
  • pipes insulated with asbestos. 
  • vinyl tiles. 
  • roof membranes. 
  • electrical switchboards. 
  • lift brake linings. 
  • mastic sealants.

Exposure to lead.

• Unidentified lead paint on site. 
• Inhalation of lead contaminated dust. 
• Inhalation of lead contaminated fumes when cutting lead painted material. 

• Inhalation of Zinc fumes when cutting galvanised material. 
• Inhalation of lead contaminated fumes when cutting lead painted material. 

• Unidentified sources within structure. 
• Damage to electrical switchgear during removal. 

• Unidentified sources within structure. 
• Damage to fluorescent lights during removal. 
• Damage to transformers during removal.

• Intake for asbestos decontamination unit, or air supply positioned too close to diesel, or other fumes. 
• Asphyxiation in a confined space due to lack of ventilation. 
• Confined Spaces Regulation not followed. 

• Allergic reaction to chemicals. 
• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 

• Unidentified sources within structure. 
• Work not conducted in a controlled manner when demolishing walls or ceilings. 
• Scatter of glass fibres, mineral wool particles, SMFs. 
• Fibres not securely bagged and removed before damage to bags occurs. 
• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task.

Puncture wounds, cuts, glass fragments in the eye/s. 

• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 
• Debris not cleared from work area on a regular basis. 
• Hypodermic needles left by drug users. 
• Nails protruding from timber and other materials. 
• Removal of debris containing glass or metal with sharp edges. 
• Glass breaks during removal. 

Worker struck by plant. 

• Working too close to plant operating area. 
• Workers not aware of planned exclusion zone for operation of plant. 
• 'Spotter' not used to supervise plant. 
• Operator error in the control of the plant. 
• Risk taking - violation of instruction or rule. 
• Plant not switched off during on site maintenance. 
• Additional passenger riding on the plant. 
• Operator not signalled (eye contact) before approaching the operating plant or work area. 
• No PPE provided for the required task. (e.g. high visibility vest) 
• No reversing beepers. 

• Work area cluttered with debris, particularly steel reinforcement and concrete. 
• Debris caught on plant, e.g. in wheels or tracks. 
• No bump rail for plant at point where debris is tipped over the edge. 
• Safety rail of inadequate strength, and height, unable to withstand possible plant impact. 
• Edge protection not replaced immediately if removed to increase access to the edge. 

• Inadequate foundation for operating plant. 
• Subsidence, collapse of earth or rubble below or adjacent to plant. 
• Plant operating too close to an excavation, basement or trench. 
• Plant inclined beyond safe operating limits. 

• Poor housekeeping around plant and equipment. 
• Debris spun off machinery wheels or tracks.
• Shattered concrete or masonry breakage when using powered hammers or picks.
• Unauthorised persons entering the work area.
• Operator not adequately protected. 

• Site inspection and detailed Work Method Statement not carried out. 
• Engineering approval for demolition sequence not obtained. 
• Planned demolition sequence not followed. 
• Public areas, e.g. street or walkway, not closed if there is a risk of collapse. 
• Demolition not started at the top of the wall. 
• Operator untrained, lack of understanding of specific demolition sequence. 
• Stray debris falls, e.g. loose bricks. 
• Undetected changes in wall structure, e.g. ducts. 
• Not built to plan or plans incorrect. 

• Site inspection and detailed Work Method Statement not carried out. 
• Engineering report not correct. 
• Planned demolition sequence not followed. 
• Not built to plan or plans incorrect. 
• Overloading of floors. 
• Moving plant collides with, or swinging boom, hits column. 
• Deterioration due to termites or rust. 
• Public areas, eg street or walkway, not closed if there is a risk of collapse

• Site inspection and detailed Work Method Statement not carried out. 
• Engineering report not correct. 
• Plant falls through floor. 
• Not built to plan or plans incorrect. 
• Changes in floor structure or part thereof during life of building e.g. old lift well, tower crane or dumbwaiter. 
• Demolition materials stacked too high causing overload. 
• Structural engineer’s report does not establish depth guidelines for the stacking of rubble. 
• Plant strays from defined operating areas. 
• Planned demolition sequence not followed. 
• Work area slab not regularly inspected for signs of movement or new cracking, especially from underneath. 

• Insufficient technical skills (competency) to complete the required task. 
• Planning, including method of demolition not approved by the appropriate Authority. 
• Inadequate assessment of the structure and explosive technique to be used. 
• Inadequate early warning. 
• Inadequate blast absorption barriers. 
• Inadequate exclusion zone for workers and the public. 
• Worker/s stray into the blast area. 

• No barrier exclusion zone or size of the zone inadequate. 
• Drop zones not barricaded and/or sign posted. 
• Debris tipped from higher levels fall onto plant or persons below. 
• Insufficient containment. 
• Unauthorised persons enter the work area. 
• Tool dropped by worker. 
• Perimeter of the site not adequately secured with a combination of scaffold, wire mesh, fire retardant material, or hoardings. 

• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 
• Jackhammer pick breaks or shatters. 
• Pick worn or damaged. 
• Jammed jackhammer resulting in loss of control. 
• Loss of control due to constrained work area. 
• Operator not trained in the use of the tool. 
• Operator uses foot to guide jackhammer pick. 

• Equipment not adequately maintained. 
• Operator not trained in the use of the tool. 
• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 
• Loss of control due to constrained work area. 
• Kickback brake not working. 

• Electrical equipment faulty. 
• Extension lead faulty or damaged. 
• Lead severed by power saw blade or disk. 
• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 

• Saw blade or grinder disk unguarded. 
• Guard faulty. 
• Saw blade or cutting disk damaged causing tool to catch and jump. 
• Cutting disk badly worn – blade disintegrates. 
• Wrong type of blade or cutting disk used. 
• Grinder not fitted with 'Dead Mans' switch. 

• Work area not cleared of combustible material prior to cutting. 
• 'Spotter' (additional worker) not used to watch for spot
• Fires that may be caused by sparks. 
• Fire extinguisher maintained or adjacent to work area. 
• Workers not trained in the use of fire fighting equipment. 
• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 

Burns to the body e.g. arms and legs. 

Damage to eyes. 

• No PPE or incorrect PPE worn for the required task. 
• Hot cut piece not constrained. 
• Long guns (extended nozzles) not used for constrained work areas. 
• Damage to hoses or equipment. 
• No flashback arrester. 
• Blow back from rust and concrete. 

• No edge protection. 
• No harness or harness not secured. 
• Harness anchorage incorrect. 
• Climbing out of elevated boom lift. 
• Fall through brittle roof. 
• Standing on a destabilised roof after fixings have been removed in advance. 
• Workers not trained in the use of safety equipment for working at heights 
• Work not supervised to ensure correct procedures are followed. 
• Use of a machine not considered where practicable. 

• Working too close to live power lines. 
• Ladder contacts power lines. 
• Tiger Tails not in place on  power lines. 
• Wind causes power lines to swing. 
• Wind causes loss of control when erecting ladder. 

• Ladder not tied off.  
• Load capacity of ladder exceeded. 
• Ladder failure due to physical damage or corrosion. 
• Domestic ladder used instead of commercial. 
• Ladder not positioned at correct angle. 

• Incorrect assembly or different systems mixed together. 
• Access ladders not positioned a minimum of 900 mm above the platform. 
• Scaffold incorrectly constructed. 
• Scaffold not adequately tied or braced. 
• Platform not fully decked. 
• Inadequate edge protection. 
• Struck by plant or equipment. 
• Struck by uncontrolled collapse of part of the structure or dislodged material.