Demolition is the highest-risk single trade in UK construction by hazard density — premature collapse, asbestos exposure, silica dust, falling debris and high-energy plant all operate concurrently. The legal framework is led by CDM 2015 (SI 2015/51), the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/632) and the British Standard BS 6187:2011 (Code of practice for full and partial demolition). The single most-tested element on review is whether the document references a current refurbishment-and-demolition (R&D) asbestos survey.
Under CAR 2012, a refurbishment-and-demolition survey is required before any demolition work on a pre-2000 building. The survey is intrusive, identifies and quantifies asbestos-containing materials, and the report is the document the demolition RAMS must reference. Without it, the work cannot legally start. Principal contractors will reject any demolition RAMS that does not cite the survey by reference number and date.
The survey distinguishes licensed work (sprayed asbestos, lagging, AIB in poor condition) from NNLW (notifiable non-licensed work) and non-licensed work. Licensed work must be done by a HSE-licensed contractor — the RAMS should name them. NNLW must be notified to HSE before work starts.
BS 6187:2011 is the technical standard for the demolition sequence. The RAMS must reference a demolition method statement signed by a competent person (typically a chartered structural engineer or NDTG-qualified demolition supervisor) that walks through the structure from initial to final state, identifies the temporary instability windows, and names the controls (props, ties, exclusion zones).
Premature or uncontrolled collapse is the highest-consequence demolition failure mode. The sequence has to demonstrate that no operative or plant is in a position to be struck by a collapse at any point. For deconstruction projects (where the structure is taken down to be re-assembled), the sequence is the reverse-build of the original — even more critical to get right.
The Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ over 8 hours — a level that is exceeded almost immediately during any dry concrete or masonry breaking. The RAMS must name the controls: wet suppression at source, dust booms or sprays, RPE specification (FFP3 minimum, ideally powered air-purifying respirators for high-exposure tasks), and air monitoring where the WEL is foreseeable to be approached.
For asbestos work, dust controls are even more stringent — the asbestos plan of work (a separate document from the RAMS, required under CAR 2012 for licensed work) sets out the enclosure, decontamination unit (DCU) and clearance procedure. The RAMS should reference the plan of work, not duplicate it.
Demolition almost always affects neighbours and frequently affects the public highway. The RAMS should describe the hoarding (BS 8408 specification typical), the exclusion zone (calculated from collapse-arc analysis, not estimated), the pedestrian diversion arrangements, and the traffic management plan for waste removal. For demolition within 6m of an occupied building, party-wall awards under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 will normally apply — the RAMS should reference the award and any conditions.
Each hazard paired with the UK regulation or HSE guidance document that applies.
Premature or uncontrolled structural collapse
BS 6187 + CDM 2015
Asbestos exposure during disturbance of ACMs
CAR 2012 + L143
Silica dust from concrete / masonry breaking
COSHH 2002 + WEL
Falling debris struck against operatives below
CDM 2015 + WAHR 2005
Underground service strike during slab / foundation removal
HSG47
Plant interface — high-reach excavator slewing radius
HSG144
Noise and vibration nuisance to neighbours
Noise at Work Regs 2005 + EPA 1990
Fire risk from hot cutting of structural steel
FPA HW01 + RRO 2005
Patterns we see when principal contractors send demolition RAMS back for re-work.
The legal framework a demolition RAMS operates inside — all links point to the official source.
SI 2015/51
The primary construction-safety law, with explicit demolition duties on the designer and principal contractor.
SI 2012/632
Triggers the R&D survey, plan of work and licensed-removal regime.
BS 6187:2011
The British Standard for demolition sequence and structural method. Cite by reference.
L143 (2nd ed)
Approved Code of Practice under CAR 2012.
NDTG / CCDO
Competence card scheme for demolition operatives, supervisors and managers.
A management survey is a non-intrusive check to support ongoing management of asbestos in a building in use. An R&D (refurbishment and demolition) survey is intrusive — surveyors break into walls, ceilings, floors and voids to find and quantify all ACMs that will be disturbed by the planned work. Only an R&D survey is acceptable for demolition. CAR 2012 reg 5 requires this before work starts.
Two separate notifications can apply. CDM 2015 notification (F10) is required for projects over 30 days with more than 20 workers, or over 500 person-days. Asbestos notification (ASB5) is required for any licensed asbestos work and 14 days' notice is the minimum. NNLW (notifiable non-licensed work) also requires notification using ASB5.
CCDO (Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives) cards issued by the NDTG are the demolition industry's competence standard. They run from Trainee through Operative, Topman, Advanced Topman to Supervisor and Site Manager. The RAMS should name the card grade for each operative. CSCS cards are not sufficient for demolition-specific work.
By collapse-arc analysis — a calculation of where debris could fall during controlled collapse. The base distance is at least equal to the height of the structure being demolished, with adjustments for wind, projectile risk and any directional controls (water cannons, dust booms). The competent person who signs the method statement should also document the exclusion zone calculation.
Only with strict segregation. Soft strip (removal of fixtures, services, non-structural elements) creates dust, manual handling and asbestos risks of its own. Doing it in parallel with structural demolition is sometimes unavoidable on programme but the RAMS must show how the two activities are physically separated — typically by floor, with no operative working below an area being structurally demolished.
City-specific local context — council, HSE office and local building stock notes — for demolition contractors.
Riskora prompts for the council permits, building stock and access constraints that apply wherever the job is — these are the demolition details principal contractors check first in each city.
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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.