Demolition Safety Plan
Engineering survey, utility disconnect, hazardous material identification, debris handling.
What this document is
This document is a written demolition safety plan that meets federal OSHA requirements for demolition projects. It guides contractors through the steps needed to identify hazards, protect workers, and manage the site from start to finish.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926 Subpart T contains the OSHA standards for demolition. The rule states in 1926.850 that an engineering survey must be conducted by a competent person before demolition begins. It further requires that utilities be disconnected, hazardous materials identified and removed, and debris handled in a controlled manner to protect employees.
Who needs it
General contractors and specialty demolition contractors need this plan before starting any demolition work. It applies to trades that perform structural demolition, interior strip-outs, or selective demolition. All states that follow federal OSHA rules require it, and California contractors must also meet equivalent Title 8 CCR requirements enforced by Cal/OSHA.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspectors routinely check for a site-specific demolition safety plan during inspections. Citations for serious violations currently range from $16,131 to $161,323 per violation depending on severity and employer history. Willful or repeat violations can reach the upper end of that range. Multi-employer work sites increase the chance that the controlling contractor will also receive citations.
What's included in the generated document
- Engineering survey requirements and checklist
- Utility location and disconnect procedures
- Hazardous material identification and abatement steps
- Debris removal and handling methods
- Site control and employee protection measures
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Download the PDF and open it in a word processor.
- Fill in the project name, location, and dates.
- Have the competent person complete the engineering survey section.
- Review and update the hazard controls to match your specific site conditions.
- Distribute the completed plan to supervisors and workers before demolition begins.