Risk Assessment for Forming Openings in Internal Walls

Contract
Site:
Number:
Name: Position: Date:
Assessed by:
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Description Of Work: Cutting openings in internal walls of an existing structure.

Residual
Risk
Risk
Task / Job Component Hazard Persons at risk Rating Controls / Precautions to Reduce Risk
Rating
L/M/H
L/M/H
 Training in safe manual handling techniques.
 Provide clear access routes to work areas.
Forming openings in Demolition Workers, machine  Removal of large blocks of material by machinery.
internal walls. Manual Handling. H L
operators, unauthorised visitors.  Provide rubbish chutes to dispose of waste materials or
skips on wheels suitable for moving by forklift.
 Provide wheelbarrows.
 Controlled wetting of the surfaces exposed.
 Safety glasses or goggles.
 Use dustless equipment, i.e. fitted with extractors.
Demolition Workers, machine
Dust. H  Forced air movement. L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
 Consider alternative methods of cutting which produce
less dust such as wet cutting diamond chainsaw.
 Wear a respirator
 Carry out pre-demolition/refurbishment survey.
Demolition Workers, machine
Asbestos. H  Asbestos awareness training and emergency plan. L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
 Removal by licensed contractor
 Provide scaffolding.
Demolition Workers, machine  Establish and police exclusion zones.
Fall of material. H L
operators, unauthorised visitors.  Suitably strengthened internal floor, propped if
necessary.
 Suitably protected 110v supplies and frequent user
Demolition Workers, machine
Electrocution. H inspection and portable appliance test. L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
 Use of battery equipment.
Noise. Demolition Workers, machine H  Provision and enforced wearing of high quality ear L
operators, unauthorised visitors. defenders when above 85dB(A)

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 Risk Assessment for Forming Openings in Internal Walls

 Use low noise and remote cutting or breaking

equipment, e.g. diamond chain saws.
 Use machine mounted tools if feasible.
 Carry out physical survey to identify locations of all
services.
Demolition Workers, machine
Contact with services. H  Remove prior to work commencing, obtain certificate of L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
isolation or disconnection where appropriate or provide
sturdy temporary protection.
Demolition Workers, machine  Temporary covers.
Unauthorised access H L
operators, unauthorised visitors.  Barriers and signs.
 Provide safe access routes.
 Good housekeeping
Demolition Workers, machine  Edge protection where there is a risk of falls at edges or
Slips, trips and falls. H L
operators, unauthorised visitors. openings.
 Good lighting.
 Safety footwear.
 Supervision and carrying out of the work by suitable,
experienced and competent person.
 Calculations by engineer and site inspection.
 Planned sequence of operations, drawings and
Demolition Workers, machine
Collapse of structure. H manufacturer’s instructions for any temporary support L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
and system for transfer of demolition materials to
minimise surcharges to structure.
 Inspection before and during use of any support
equipment.
 Maximise the use of any remote cutting techniques.
 Install and maintain edge protection and working
Falls from Height or through fragile Demolition Workers, machine
H platforms or work from mobile elevated working L
materials. operators, unauthorised visitors.
platforms (MEWPS) or similar.
 Identify unsafe areas by signs and barriers.
 Provide system for monitoring health of operatives
when exposed to above the daily action value of
Demolition Workers, machine
Vibration White Finger (VWF). H 2.5m/s2 L
operators, unauthorised visitors.
 Use modern well maintained equipment, keep hands
warm, avoid smoking.
Demolition Workers, machine  Safe area for storage of any gas and use of gas cutting
Explosions. H L
operators, unauthorised visitors. gear by trained persons only with flashback arrestors

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 Risk Assessment for Forming Openings in Internal Walls

and non-return valves with bottles secured against

tampering and fall.
Demolition Workers, machine  System for monitoring skin condition, wearing gloves or
Dermatitis. M L
operators, unauthorised visitors. waterproof barrier cream.
Site-specific Activities Additional Site–specific Hazards Persons at risk Additional Controls Required

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Risk Assessment for Forming Openings in Internal Walls

Likelihood
How often could the hazard occur? Consider the task, frequency,
duration, method of work,
employees involved.

Severity
How serious would the hazard’s effects be if
realised? Consider the type of hazard, biological, ergonomic, physical and
chemical.

Risk = Likelihood x Severity

E.g. Likelihood (4) X Severity (3) = 12 HIGH RISK

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