When this template fits
Structural demolition is high-hazard work and this demolition method statement is the document a principal contractor and the HSE expect before a structure comes down. It is aimed at the demolition contractor's management, the appointed person directing the demolition and the plant operators carrying it out. If you are pulling down load-bearing structure adjacent to occupied buildings, roads or services, this RAMS sits alongside the BS 6187 demolition sequence designed for the specific structure.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Controlled demolition of structural elements.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-works: Obtain and review the refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey; confirm all ACMs have been removed or isolated by a licensed contractor before demolition commences.
- 2Services: Obtain written confirmation of disconnection and isolation of all utilities (gas, electricity, water, telecommunications) at the site boundary; scan with CAT & Genny and mark any residual services.
- 3Structural review: A structural engineer reviews the demolition sequence, identifies temporary propping requirements and issues a signed method statement; brief all operatives on the sequence and no-go zones.
- 4Site set-up: Erect perimeter hoarding, internal exclusion zone barriers and debris containment screens; establish and sign segregated plant and pedestrian routes; confirm banksman positions.
- 5Temporary works: Install engineer-designed propping, shoring or needling to safeguard adjacent retained structures and prevent premature collapse before load-bearing elements are removed.
- 6Dust and noise control: Activate water suppression systems and connect on-tool LEV before commencing breaking; confirm all operatives in RPE and hearing protection are in the correct zones.
- 7Demolition: Execute the approved top-down sequence using specified plant and methods; banksman to control all plant movements; supervisor to conduct periodic structural inspections and halt works if unexpected conditions arise.
- 8Debris management: Progressively remove and segregate demolition arisings to prevent accumulation that could overload remaining floors or impede emergency egress; waste segregated for recycling/disposal.
- 9Post-shift inspection: Competent person inspects remaining structure for stability before operatives leave; ensure exclusion zones remain in place and the site is secured against unauthorised access overnight.
- 10Close-out: On completion of structural demolition, confirm with structural engineer that all temporary works can be struck; complete waste transfer documentation and update the site health and safety file.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Unplanned structural collapse
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › A structural engineer must produce a written demolition sequence and method statement before works commence, identifying load paths and temporary works requirements.
- › Install engineer-designed temporary propping, needling or shoring to stabilise adjacent structure before removing load-bearing elements.
- › Establish and maintain a clearly marked exclusion zone around the demolition area, sized to contain potential collapse debris; enforce via barriers and banksman.
- › A competent person (structural engineer or experienced demolition supervisor) must inspect and sign off the structure before and during demolition operations.
Plant strike
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Physically segregate plant operating zones from pedestrian routes using hard barriers; no operative to enter plant swing radius without machine shutdown.
- › Deploy a trained, CPCS-ticketed banksman to control plant movements and maintain exclusion zones when operatives must work near plant.
- › Verify all plant operators hold current CPCS or NPORS card for the specific machine in use before deployment.
- › All personnel on site to wear high-visibility vests or jackets to ensure visibility to plant operators.
Falling debris
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Demolish structures from the top down to prevent overloading lower floors and reduce falling debris risk.
- › Erect scaffold fans, debris netting or shrouding around the working area to contain falling materials.
- › Establish a minimum exclusion zone at ground level calculated by structure height; prohibit access by all non-essential personnel.
- › All personnel within the demolition area must wear an EN 397 safety helmet; chin straps required at height.
Silica and construction dust inhalation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Attach an H-class vacuum dust extractor directly to SDS drills and chasing tools. Do not operate without extraction in place.
- › Apply water suppression via hoses, misting cannons or attachment-mounted spray bars to suppress dust at source during breaking and cutting operations.
- › Provide and enforce use of close-fitting FFP3 disposable or half-mask respirator with P3 filter where engineering controls cannot reduce exposure below WEL.
Asbestos-containing material disturbance
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Commission a UKAS-accredited surveyor to complete an R&D (refurbishment and demolition) asbestos survey of the entire structure before any works commence; all identified ACMs to be removed by a licensed contractor prior to demolition.
- › Operatives briefed to immediately cease work, leave the area, and report to the supervisor if any suspect material is uncovered during demolition; works not to resume until material is assessed.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where feasible, use mechanical demolition (crusher attachments) rather than percussive breakers to reduce noise output at source.
- › Rotate operative duties to limit individual daily noise exposure duration; implement timed work schedules for high-noise tasks.
- › Provide and enforce use of EN 352 ear defenders or ear plugs with adequate SNR rating in designated hearing protection zones.
Public interface — third-party harm
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect robust hoarding (minimum 2.4 m) around the site perimeter; regularly inspect and maintain to prevent unauthorised access and contain debris.
- › Notify adjacent occupiers, highway authority and, where required, the local authority prior to works; agree working hours and traffic management measures.
- › Where structural collapse could affect a highway, implement Traffic Management Act/Section 14 road closure or vehicle exclusion zones with appropriate signage.
Striking buried or overhead services
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain written confirmation from all utilities that services have been isolated, disconnected or diverted at the site boundary before demolition commences.
- › Use a calibrated CAT & Genny to scan for remaining live services; cross-reference with utility records and as-built drawings before and during works.
- › Where overhead lines cannot be isolated, erect goal-post barriers and signage indicating maximum safe working height for plant.
Hand-arm vibration (HAV)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use machine-mounted demolition attachments (crusher, shear, pulveriser) in place of hand-held breakers wherever the structure allows, to eliminate HAV exposure.
- › Calculate daily trigger-time limits for each tool using manufacturer HAV data; rotate operatives and record daily exposure against EAV (2.5 m/s²) and ELV (5 m/s²).
- › Provide anti-vibration gloves (note: limited effectiveness) as a supplementary measure; enrol regular users in a HAV health surveillance programme.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Disposable RPE (FFP3)
- ✓ Disposable coveralls (Type 5)
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › High-reach demolition excavator with selector grab and shear
- › 360 tracked excavator with breaker attachment
- › Misting cannons and fire-hose dust suppression
- › Temporary propping and party-wall support systems
- › Site hoarding, debris netting and scaffold protection fans
- › Structural monitoring targets and survey instruments
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Service disconnection certificates are referenced — reviewers will not accept 'services believed dead'.
- ✓ The demolition sequence cites a named BS 6187 design by a temporary works engineer, not a generic top-down statement.
- ✓ Exclusion-zone dimensions are tied to the actual structure height and machine reach, with adjacent-property protection detailed.
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Does structural demolition legally need a written method statement?
Yes. Under CDM 2015 regulation 20, where construction work involves demolition or dismantling that could endanger anyone, the arrangements must be planned and recorded in writing before the work begins. In practice that means a demolition plan supported by a method statement and risk assessment, with the sequence designed to BS 6187:2011. The plan must address how the structure will be brought down safely and how everyone on and around the site is protected. A principal contractor cannot let structural demolition start without it.
How big should the demolition exclusion zone be?
There is no single fixed figure — the zone is engineered for the specific structure and method. As a working basis it is sized to the height of the structure being demolished plus the reach of the machine, then adjusted for debris throw, ground conditions and any pre-weakening. It must be physically barriered, controlled by a banksman and kept clear of all personnel during active demolition. The BS 6187 sequence and the temporary works design should state the zone for each phase, and your RAMS should reproduce those figures rather than a generic distance.
What regulations apply to structural demolition?
PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Work at Height Regulations 2005, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are the main ones, alongside Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a method statement need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.