Job Safety Analysis Templates for Demolition
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Demolition work is among the most unpredictable and hazardous activities in construction. Structural instability, unidentified utilities, asbestos and lead-based paint, uncontrolled collapse, and heavy equipment operating in congested areas create a hazard profile that demands thorough pre-task analysis. Demolition fatalities consistently account for a significant portion of construction deaths.
A Job Safety Analysis for demolition must address hazards that change as the work progresses — a structurally sound building becomes progressively less stable as material is removed, creating new collapse zones with each phase of work. The JSA must be treated as a living document that is updated as conditions change, not a one-time exercise completed before work begins.
The EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for demolition operations (40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M) require asbestos notifications and inspection before any demolition, adding a regulatory layer beyond OSHA that affects project scheduling and pre-work planning. State and local environmental agencies often impose additional notification requirements for silica dust, PCB-containing materials, and mercury-bearing components such as fluorescent lighting and thermostats.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.850 requires a written engineering survey by a competent person before any demolition begins, documenting structural conditions, utility locations, and the presence of hazardous materials including lead paint, PCBs, and friable asbestos. This page compiles OSHA enforcement data for demolition operations, injury statistics, and the specific regulatory requirements of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T (Demolition). Use it to build JSAs that address the progressive hazard evolution inherent to demolition work.
Disclaimer
This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for a site-specific Job Safety Analysis conducted by a qualified safety professional familiar with your workplace conditions, equipment, and personnel. OSHA citations, BLS statistics, and hazard controls referenced here may not reflect the most current standards or apply to your specific situation. Always consult current OSHA regulations, manufacturer guidelines, and a competent person before beginning work. Health & Safety Systems LLC assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.
Injury and Fatality Statistics
Building Demolition & Wrecking (NAICS 23822)
28
Fatalities (2022)
12.8
Fatality Rate
(per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers)
4,200
Nonfatal Injuries (2022)
3.4
Total Recordable Rate
(per 100 full-time equivalent workers)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), 2022
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Start Free TrialTop OSHA Violations
The most frequently cited standards for this industry, based on OSHA enforcement data (FY 2024).
29 CFR 1926.850 — Demolition — Preparatory Operations
112 citations (FY 2024)
Requires an engineering survey by a competent person before demolition begins to determine the condition of the structure and the possibility of unplanned collapse. Utility disconnect verification, hazardous material identification, and a written demolition plan are required before any work starts.
29 CFR 1926.501 — Fall Protection
6,307 citations (FY 2024)
Fall protection during demolition is complicated by the progressive removal of structural elements that would normally serve as anchor points. Workers at edges of partially demolished floors, on roof structures being removed, and in stairwells losing integrity need fall protection systems that adapt to changing conditions.
29 CFR 1926.1101 — Asbestos in Construction
312 citations (FY 2024)
Older buildings being demolished frequently contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, pipe wrap, and spray-on fireproofing. OSHA requires building surveys for asbestos before demolition and specific work practices, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance when asbestos-containing materials will be disturbed.
29 CFR 1926.62 — Lead in Construction
198 citations (FY 2024)
Lead-based paint in older structures creates exposure during demolition activities — especially cutting, burning, or grinding painted surfaces. OSHA requires lead exposure assessment, interim protection during the assessment period, hygiene facilities, and medical surveillance when exposure exceeds the action level.
29 CFR 1926.855 — Demolition — Manual Removal of Floors
45 citations (FY 2024)
Specifies requirements for floor-by-floor demolition including opening dimensions, material chute requirements, and structural integrity monitoring. Workers must not work on any floor unless it can support the imposed load of workers, equipment, and accumulated debris.
Key Hazard Categories
Structural Collapse
Unplanned collapse is the highest-consequence hazard in demolition. As structural elements are removed, load paths change and remaining structures may fail without warning. Precast concrete, post-tensioned slabs, and unreinforced masonry walls are particularly unpredictable during demolition. Wind loads on partially demolished structures can trigger collapse at load levels the intact structure would have easily resisted. Vibration from adjacent mechanical demolition can also propagate through connected structural elements and destabilize walls or columns that appear sound.
Key Controls:
- Engineering survey before demolition begins
- Written demolition plan specifying sequence
- Competent person monitoring structural condition continuously
- Exclusion zones around potential collapse areas
- Demolition sequence that maintains structural stability at each phase
Asbestos and Lead Exposure
Buildings constructed before 1980 frequently contain asbestos in multiple materials. Lead-based paint is present in structures built before 1978. Demolition activities — cutting, breaking, grinding, and crushing — generate airborne fibers and dust that create inhalation exposure. Both substances cause serious chronic health effects (mesothelioma, lung cancer, lead poisoning). OSHA requires a thorough hazardous materials survey and certified laboratory analysis of suspect materials before demolition begins.
Key Controls:
- Pre-demolition asbestos and lead survey
- Abatement of asbestos before general demolition
- Wet methods to suppress dust during demolition
- Air monitoring during demolition of suspect structures
- Proper PPE (respirators, disposable coveralls) for hazardous material contact
Struck-by Hazards
Falling debris, swinging structural elements during mechanical demolition, flying fragments during breaking operations, and overhead crane loads create struck-by hazards throughout the demolition site. The unpredictable nature of material separation during demolition means debris can project in unexpected directions.
Key Controls:
- Hard hats for all workers on site
- Exclusion zones below active demolition areas
- Debris netting and toe boards on elevated work areas
- Controlled demolition sequences (top-down)
- Communication systems between equipment operators and ground crews
Falls from Elevation
Partially demolished structures lack the guardrails, stairways, and floor surfaces present in intact buildings. Workers operate at the edges of open floors, on roofs being removed, and on structural elements with reduced integrity. Traditional fall protection anchor points may not be available or reliable on structures being demolished.
Key Controls:
- Fall protection plan specific to each demolition phase
- Engineered anchor points installed before demolition begins
- Guardrails and covers on floor openings
- Controlled access zones where guardrails are infeasible
- Floor integrity verification before allowing worker access
Common Tasks Requiring a JSA
Required Personal Protective Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
What OSHA standards apply to demolition?
Demolition is covered by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T (1926.850-1926.860), which requires an engineering survey before work begins, specific procedures for each demolition method, and hazard-specific requirements for floors, walls, steel structures, and mechanical demolition. Additional standards apply including fall protection (1926.501), asbestos (1926.1101), lead (1926.62), and the general construction standards for scaffolding, cranes, and electrical safety.
Is an engineering survey required before demolition?
Yes. OSHA 1926.850(a) requires that an engineering survey of the structure be conducted by a competent person before demolition begins. The survey must determine the condition of the framing, floors, and walls, and identify the possibility of unplanned collapse. Utility locations must be identified and all utilities must be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled before work starts. The results of the survey inform the written demolition plan.
What is a JSA for demolition work?
A JSA for demolition breaks a specific demolition task into sequential steps with hazards and controls at each step. Demolition JSAs are unique because they must be updated as conditions change — the hazard profile of a partially demolished structure is fundamentally different from the intact structure assessed in the original JSA. Best practice is to review and update the JSA at least daily, and whenever a new phase of demolition begins or unexpected conditions are discovered.
When is asbestos abatement required before demolition?
OSHA 1926.1101 and EPA NESHAP regulations require a thorough asbestos survey before any demolition of structures built before 1980 (or any structure suspected of containing asbestos). If asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are found, they must generally be removed by licensed abatement contractors before general demolition begins. Some exceptions exist for demolition methods that keep ACMs intact and wet, but the default requirement is abatement before demolition.
What is the correct demolition sequence?
The general principle is top-down demolition — removing the structure from the top floor downward to maintain stability and prevent uncontrolled collapse. Non-structural elements are removed first (interior finishes, MEP systems), followed by structural elements in the reverse order of construction. Each floor must be able to support the accumulated weight of workers, equipment, and debris. The specific sequence must be determined by the engineering survey and documented in the demolition plan.