RAMS for Demolition
Generate compliant risk assessments for demolition work in under 2 minutes. BS 6187, CDM 2015, and asbestos regulations cited automatically with professional PDF output.
Built with UK health & safety regulations in mind
Demolition is the highest-risk category of construction activity in the UK. Structural collapse, fragmentation, asbestos disturbance, dust and silica exposure, falling materials, and the presence of live services all combine to create a risk profile that demands detailed, task-specific RAMS. The HSE's statistics consistently show demolition as one of the most dangerous construction activities, and enforcement action for inadequate risk assessment in the demolition sector is common.
BS 6187: Code of Practice for Full and Partial Demolition is the industry standard that governs how demolition work is planned, documented, and executed. Principal contractors, clients, and the HSE all expect demolition RAMS to reference BS 6187 and to demonstrate that structural assessment, pre-demolition survey, and sequential demolition planning have been carried out. A generic CDM risk assessment will not suffice.
swiftRMS generates demolition RAMS in under 2 minutes. Input the structure type, demolition method, site conditions, and the presence of hazardous materials. Get a compliant PDF that cites BS 6187, CDM 2015, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 where applicable, and the relevant COSHH requirements for demolition dust and debris.
What Demolition RAMS Must Include
Compliant risk assessments for demolition work must cover these specific areas
Pre-demolition structural survey
BS 6187 requires that a structural assessment is carried out before demolition begins to understand load paths, potential collapse mechanisms, and the sequence of demolition. RAMS must reference the structural survey and confirm it has been completed.
Services survey and disconnection
All live services (gas, electricity, water, telecom, drainage) must be identified, isolated, and disconnected before demolition work starts. RAMS must document the services found, the disconnection confirmation, and the responsible parties.
Asbestos pre-demolition survey (R&D Survey)
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, an R&D survey is mandatory before demolition work begins. RAMS must reference the survey, confirm all ACMs have been removed by a licensed contractor, and document what to do if ACMs are unexpectedly discovered.
Method of demolition and exclusion zones
The demolition method (mechanical, ball and crane, deliberate controlled collapse, deconstruction) determines the primary risks. RAMS must specify the method, the exclusion zones required, and the controls for each phase.
Falling materials and fragmentation control
RAMS must document edge protection, debris containment, sheeting, and how public protection is maintained throughout the demolition sequence.
Dust and silica exposure
Demolition generates significant quantities of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a cause of silicosis. COSHH Regulations 2002 and the WEL for RCS in EH40 apply. RAMS must specify dust suppression at each phase.
Common Demolition Tasks That Require RAMS
Generate RAMS for any of these tasks in minutes, not hours
Mechanical demolition using long-reach excavator
Most common commercial demolition method. RAMS must cover reach-over radius, exclusion zone, machine specification, and operator certification.
Internal soft strip
Removing internal fixtures, fittings, and non-structural elements before structural demolition. COSHH applies to dust, asbestos risk during exploratory work, and manual handling of removed materials.
Structural concrete breaking and removal
High vibration exposure (Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005), noise exposure (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005), and RCS dust from concrete.
Chimney stack demolition
Working at height, fragmentation risk, dust, and potential asbestos in cement flaunching or cement fibre around flue liners. WAHR 2005 applies.
Basement and substructure demolition
Confined space risk, groundwater, and structural instability as surrounding ground loads change. CDM 2015 applies and site-specific structural assessment is essential.
Facade retention (partial demolition)
Highly specialist: temporary works design required to support retained facade during demolition of structure behind. Engineer-certified temporary works design must be referenced in RAMS.
Explosive demolition (controlled blasting)
Subject to Explosives Regulations 2014 and requiring a licensed shot-firer. RAMS must cover exclusion zones, police notification, press and media management, and post-blast inspection.
UK Legislation for Demolition Risk Assessments
Every RAMS automatically cites the relevant UK legislation and industry standards
BS 6187: Code of Practice for Full and Partial Demolition
The industry standard for all demolition work. Covers pre-demolition investigation, demolition methods, safety measures, and documentation requirements. Must be referenced in all demolition RAMS.
CDM Regulations 2015
Demolition is almost always a notifiable CDM project. Principal Contractor's Construction Phase Plan must include site-specific demolition RAMS.
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
An R&D asbestos survey is mandatory before demolition. If ACMs are found, licensed removal is required before structural demolition proceeds. Unexpected ACM discovery must trigger an emergency procedure documented in the RAMS.
COSHH Regulations 2002 and EH40
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS), demolition dust, and chemical substances in existing materials all require COSHH assessment. The WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA).
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Breakers and demolition hammers expose operatives to significant HAV. RAMS must calculate and document daily exposure limits.
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Demolition is one of the noisiest construction activities. Hearing protection zones, audiometry, and noise monitoring requirements must be addressed.
How swiftRMS Generates Demolition RAMS
swiftRMS generates demolition RAMS by asking the questions that determine the risk profile: structure type (residential, commercial, industrial), demolition method (mechanical, selective deconstruction, controlled collapse), presence of asbestos (confirmed absent, R&D survey completed, or unknown), and site boundary conditions.
Based on your inputs, swiftRMS generates a RAMS that cites BS 6187 as the design standard, references the asbestos survey requirement under Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, includes COSHH entries for RCS and demolition dust, and documents the required exclusion zones and public protection measures.
The PDF is structured to meet the expectations of principal contractors and the HSE. It is suitable for submission as part of the Construction Phase Plan or for pre-tender health and safety questionnaires. Generate the RAMS for each phase of the demolition programme as the structure and risk profile changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) survey is mandatory before any demolition or major refurbishment work. The survey must be intrusive: it cannot rely on existing records alone. Licensed asbestos removal must be completed before structural demolition begins.
BS 6187 is the British Standard Code of Practice for full and partial demolition. It sets out the requirements for pre-demolition investigation, structural assessment, demolition methodology, and safety management. HSE inspectors, principal contractors, and demolition clients all expect RAMS to demonstrate compliance with BS 6187.
Yes. Soft strip involves manual handling, working at height on ladders and platforms, COSHH exposure from dust and disturbed materials, and a risk of encountering unlisted asbestos-containing materials. A specific RAMS for the soft strip phase, separate from the structural demolition RAMS, is best practice.
Exclusion zones are calculated based on the height of the structure being demolished, the demolition method, and the risk of fragmentation or debris projection. BS 6187 provides guidance. For mechanical demolition with a long-reach machine, the exclusion zone is typically 1.5 times the maximum reach of the machine.
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