Safe Conditions - The Demolition Environment

Having the proper lighting and ventilation throughout a demolition project is important to ensure safe conditions for workers and site personnel. Though often overlooked by other demolition contractors, R. Baker & Son develops and implements lighting and ventilation plans on every project we do.

Low lighting levels can a pose a significant hazard on a demolition project and can be directly connect with increased injury. Years ago, worksite lighting typically consisted of 100W incandescent lightbulbs spaced forty to fifty feet apart on stringers, and bulbs that burned out often went unchanged. Nowadays, a demolition contractor should provide sufficient lighting with high-output mercury vapor, LED, or quartz lighting with protective cages. Lighting should be at least 3W per square foot, though some areas may require more. Shafts, pits, and other dark pockets require their own lighting, rather than depending on general area lighting to illuminate them. Demolition lighting requires constant vigilance in that lighting and lighting circuits must be relocated as work progresses to keep lighting levels sufficient and fixtures in good working order for the duration of the project.

Dirt, dust, and other particulates are an inherent part of every demolition project. Ventilation can be handled either by using the existing HVAC system, or by bringing in temporary ventilation in the form of sufficiently-sized exhaust fans. Like lighting, ventilation requires constant attention to ensure that filters are clean and equipment is running and performing properly. There should be several air changes per hour at minimum, which can be determined easily by calculating the total volume of the space, but more may be required depending on the task at hand. In demolition areas adjacent to clean spaces, a flow indicator or magnehelic gauge should be used to ensure that dust does not escape.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
http://www.rbaker.com