Approved criteria for a certificate to perform the prescribed activity of demolition work (Information Paper D1)
Requirement to hold a certificate to perform the prescribed activity
Approved criteria for obtaining a certificate to perform the prescribed activity of demolition work
Requirement to hold a certificate to perform the prescribed activity
Part 3A of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 requires that a business that performs the prescribed activity of demolition work must hold a certificate to carry out that activity.
The Regulation provides that demolition work is a prescribed activity:
- if the building or other structure being demolished or dismantled contains pre-tensioned or post-tensioned structural components,
- if the demolition or dismantling of the building or other structure involves the use of:
- load shifting equipment (for example, front-end loader/backhoe, skid steer loader, excavator, crane), or
- explosives or another induced collapse method,
- all other demolition work, unless the building or other structure being demolished or dismantled is:
- a domestic house (defined in the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 to mean 'a house that is a separate single domestic dwelling);
- a structure built as, and still having generally the characteristics of, a domestic house (for example a domestic house converted to flats or an office); or
- a structure that is ancillary to either of the above (for example, a carport or a garage).
Approved criteria for obtaining a certificate to perform the prescribed activity of demolition work
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Criterion 3
Criterion 4
Criterion 5
In order to be granted a certificate to perform the prescribed activity of demolition work, an applicant must satisfy an authorised departmental officer or an accredited provider (assessor) appointed under Part 14 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB), that they meet the following criteria:
Criterion 1
The applicant must provide proof of holding:
- WorkCover insurance (if applicable); and
- Public liability insurance cover.
Criterion 2
The applicant must demonstrate that there is a suitable person with appropriate knowledge and experience of safe working methods and practices appropriate to the prescribed activity of demolition work. The person must have at least three years relevant experience.
It would be highly desirable if this person has formal qualifications, e.g. a Degree or Diploma relevant to demolition or construction.
Criterion 3
The applicant must demonstrate that there are effective management systems in place to ensure that the demolition work is performed safely and without risk to any person, including workers and the general public.
The business's workplace health and safety systems will be assessed on the following elements:
a) Workplace health and safety policy - there must a written workplace health and safety policy statement that:
- is supported by management;
- clearly identifies the workplace health and safety responsibilities of managers, supervisors and workers; and
- is communicated to workers.
Note: There should be adequate consultation with workers and, where they exist, with Workplace Health and Safety Officers, Representatives and Committees, in the development of the policy.
b) Workplace health and safety information - there must be personnel with knowledge of, or the ability to acquire knowledge of, current workplace health and safety legislative and operational requirements, including:
Legislation
- Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
- Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008
Operational
- AS 2601 Demolition work (non-Queensland Government link)
- any code of practice relevant to demolition work
- current manufacturers' and suppliers' standards and information relevant to the use and operation of plant, etc.
c) Work plans and hazard identification, evaluation and control - there must be written evidence that a process has been developed for preparing effective workplace health and safety work plans for each project. In preparing work plans, consideration should be given to Australian Standard AS 2601, and any guidance material published by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
There must be written evidence of the ability to systematically:
- identify hazards
- assess possible risks from the hazards
- decide on appropriate control measures
- implement control measures
- monitor and review the effectiveness of control measures.
d) Training of workers - there must be written evidence that processes are in place for:
- training new workers, including induction training and training in workplace health and safety issues,
- making sure workers are trained in safe working methods and practices, including training in new jobs or new plant and equipment,
- keeping records of the workers who have been trained and the training provided,
- making sure that a person performing a prescribed occupation under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 holds the required certificate.
The arrangements for ensuring that workers are, or have been, appropriately trained to perform the work safely must be reflected in the work plan.
e) Supervision of work - there must be written evidence that processes are in place to ensure the demolition work is directly supervised by a competent person at all times. This will include a list of the ‘competent person/s' and how they meet the competencies/qualifications stated in Information Paper D2 published by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
The arrangements for ensuring that a competent person supervises the work must be reflected in the work plan.
f) Reporting and investigation of incidents/accidents - there must be written evidence that a system is in place to ensure required records (incident record/report) are maintained and investigations are undertaken. Workers are to be trained about the system and how to use it.
g) Emergency planning - there must be written evidence that an emergency response plan relevant to the site or project is in place, including arrangements for evacuation. This plan must take account of all persons on the site, including contractors.
The arrangements for emergency planning must be reflected in the work plan.
h) Suppliers, sub-contractors and purchasing controls - there must be written evidence that the business's management is aware of all its legislative obligations about contractors and suppliers under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and Regulations. Contractors and suppliers should conform to the business's workplace health and safety standards and procedures.
Criterion 4
The applicant must demonstrate that there are effective operational practices in place to ensure that the demolition work is performed safely and without risk to any person, including workers and the general public.
The business's practices will be reviewed based on:
- Australian Standard AS 2601
- relevant requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008
- codes of practice relevant to demolition work.
Previous work plans may be submitted as evidence of the business's operational practices.
Issues to be reviewed will include, but will not be restricted to the following:
- ensuring the health and safety of persons on site, including workers
- ensuring the health and safety of the general public in or adjacent to the site and the demolition zone.
- protecting adjoining buildings, the immediate environment and the site
- investigating the structure and site
- planning the demolition work
- risk assessment and management
- preparing workplace health and safety plans
- training of workers in safe working methods and practices
- supervision of demolition work at all times by a 'competent person'
- preparing for the work
- preparing the site
- health and safety precautions
- emergency planning
- performing the work
- cleaning up
- securing the site
Criterion 5
The applicant must demonstrate that issues relating to the following have been resolved or rectified:
- compliance requirements in the past two years (e.g. Improvement or Prohibition Notices);
- any convictions under workplace health and safety legislation in Queensland or another state or territory relating to demolition work in the previous 10 years; and
- any previous refusal, cancellation or suspension of a certificate/licence for demolition work in Queensland or another state or territory.
Last updated 25 August 2008