Structural demolition SWMS, drafted for your job
Demolition changes the load paths of a building as walls and floors come down, leaving unstable sections beside plant and neighbouring properties. Tell us the structure and site: your SWMS is drafted around the removal sequence, and you check it on site before work starts.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Structural demolition
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Demolition of load-bearing or structural parts
- Work that may disturb asbestos
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work where someone could fall from height
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Assess structure and demolition scope | Unknown load paths and hazardous materials | Extreme | Confirm engineered sequence and identify materials before removal |
| 2 | Isolate services and secure site | Retained live feeds and public entry | Extreme | Verify disconnections and close the demolition boundary |
| 3 | Remove assessed hazardous materials | Asbestos disturbed by structural work | High | Use specialist removal and hold structural work until release |
| 4 | Demolish in planned stages | Collapse and moving excavator attachments | Extreme | Maintain collapse zones and monitor retained structure |
| 5 | Sort rubble and clear site | Masonry dust and unstable debris piles | High | Separate plant from workers and control dust during loading |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your structural demolition SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Demolition of load-bearing or structural parts
- Work that may disturb asbestos
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work where someone could fall from height
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a structural demolition job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Unplanned collapse of walls and floors during structural demolition
Extreme- Use an engineered demolition sequence and temporary support where specified
- Keep workers outside the collapse zone and stop if the structure moves unexpectedly
- 2
Electricity or gas remaining in services crossing the demolition boundary
Extreme- Identify retained services and arrange verified disconnection of those being removed
- Protect live services outside the work and stop at unidentified feeds
- 3
Asbestos dust released from hidden linings during building demolition
High- Identify hazardous materials before structural work and use an asbestos removalist for asbestos
- Stop disturbance and isolate newly discovered suspect material
- 4
Workers struck by excavator attachments among demolition rubble
High- Separate workers from machine operating and debris landing zones
- Stop the machine before anyone approaches or sorts nearby rubble
- 5
Falls through exposed floor edges as demolition progresses
Extreme- Use protected platforms and maintain opening protection through each removal stage
- Keep access routes outside unsupported or partly demolished floors
- 6
Silica dust from crushing masonry at the demolition face
High- Use controlled dampening or extraction suited to the demolition method
- Separate dusty work and use fitted respiratory protection for remaining exposure
- 7
Falling demolition fragments reaching footpaths and neighbouring buildings
High- Plan collapse directions and install protection for retained and occupied areas
- Close exposed public routes and keep debris within the removal zone
How the job usually runs
- 1Assess structure and demolition scopeUnknown load paths and hazardous materials → Confirm engineered sequence and identify materials before removal
- 2Isolate services and secure siteRetained live feeds and public entry → Verify disconnections and close the demolition boundary
- 3Remove assessed hazardous materialsAsbestos disturbed by structural work → Use specialist removal and hold structural work until release
- 4Demolish in planned stagesCollapse and moving excavator attachments → Maintain collapse zones and monitor retained structure
- 5Sort rubble and clear siteMasonry dust and unstable debris piles → Separate plant from workers and control dust during loading
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- Safety helmet
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- High-visibility clothing
- Fitted particulate respirator
- Hearing protection
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Structural demolition SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Can the draft cover partial demolition beside retained rooms?
Yes. Describe what stays, what is removed and whether adjoining rooms remain occupied. The draft includes support, service separation and protection for the retained structure before removal begins.
Does it cover manual strip-out and excavator demolition together?
Yes. Describe both methods and their sequence. The draft separates workers from moving plant and collapse areas, with service and hazardous material checks before either part of the work starts.
How much does a structural demolition SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
Related
Related SWMS
