815 Demolition Safety

Glossary

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A

• Acute. Refers to health effects or injuries that occur rapidly after exposure to a hazardous substance or incident, such as chemical burns, eye irritation, or inhalation of high concentrations of toxic fumes during demolition activities.
• Administrative Controls. Procedures and policies implemented to reduce employee exposure to hazards, such as rotating job assignments, implementing safety training, or limiting time spent in hazardous areas.
• Aerial Lifts. Powered platforms used to elevate workers, such as boom lifts or scissor lifts, which require specific OSHA training and fall protection measures for safe operation.
• Aggregate. A mixture of sand, gravel, or crushed stone used in construction, particularly in concrete and asphalt production, often present in renovation or demolition debris.
• Asbestos Exposure. A health hazard common in renovation and demolition of older buildings, where disturbed asbestos fibers can be inhaled and lead to serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
• Asbestosis. A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which leads to lung tissue scarring and breathing difficulties; typically develops after prolonged occupational exposure during demolition or renovation.
• Asphyxiation. A condition where the body is deprived of oxygen, potentially fatal, and a risk in poorly ventilated demolition or confined renovation spaces with gas or dust buildup.

B

• Best Practices. Established procedures and methods recognized as the most effective and efficient in achieving safety, productivity, and compliance in construction and demolition environments.
• Biological Hazards (Biohazards). Harmful organisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that workers may be exposed to, particularly during demolition or flood restoration tasks.

C

• Caught-In/Between Hazards. One of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” hazards, these involve being caught, crushed, or compressed between two or more objects or machinery.
• Chronic. Describes health conditions that develop slowly over a long period due to repeated or continuous exposure to hazardous agents, such as chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, or silicosis from long-term inhalation of dust on construction sites.
• Combustion. A chemical process of burning that produces heat and often light, relevant to fire hazards during demolition, especially with fuel-powered equipment or flammable materials.
• Communications. The systems and protocols used to exchange information among workers, supervisors, and emergency personnel on a construction site, crucial for safety, coordination, and compliance.
• Competent Person. As defined by OSHA, an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
• Compressed Gas Safety. OSHA regulations governing the safe storage and handling of pressurized gas cylinders, including labeling, valve protection, and storage requirements to prevent explosions or leaks.
• Confined Spaces. Areas not designed for continuous occupancy, such as crawl spaces or tanks, which pose increased risks of suffocation, entrapment, or exposure to toxic substances during construction or demolition.
• Conspicuous. Clearly visible or noticeable; often used in safety regulations to describe signage or hazard warnings that must be obvious to workers and visitors on site.
• Controlled Access Zone (CAZ). An area where certain work may take place without the use of conventional fall protection systems, under the supervision of a competent person, often used in leading-edge work scenarios.
• Crystalline Silica. A common mineral found in construction materials like concrete and brick; inhaling silica dust can cause serious respiratory diseases. OSHA requires specific exposure control measures under its Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard.

D

• Demolition. The process of tearing down buildings and structures, which involves planned sequences, safety measures, and hazard control, especially when dealing with heavy equipment and structural instability.
• Dust Control. Techniques used to minimize airborne particles generated during construction or demolition, such as wetting down surfaces or using HEPA-filtered vacuums, to reduce respiratory hazards.

E

• Electrical Hazards. Risks posed by exposed wires, damaged equipment, or improper grounding on construction sites, which can cause electric shock, arc flash injuries, or fire.
• Elimination (Hazard Control). The most effective method in the hierarchy of controls, it involves physically removing the hazard from the workplace, such as discontinuing the use of a toxic material entirely.
• Emergency Procedures. Pre-established actions and protocols to follow during emergencies such as fires, medical incidents, or structural failures on construction sites.
• Engineering Controls. Physical modifications to facilities, equipment, or processes to reduce hazard exposure, such as installing ventilation systems, guardrails, or noise-dampening materials.
• Equipment. Tools and machinery used in construction and demolition, including hand tools, power tools, heavy machinery, and safety gear essential for completing tasks and ensuring worker protection.
• Exhaust. The emissions discharged from engines or combustion processes, often containing hazardous gases like carbon monoxide, especially concerning in enclosed renovation or demolition environments.
• Exposure. Contact with hazardous substances or conditions such as chemicals, heat, vibration, or noise during construction, renovation, or demolition activities.
• Exposure Limit (PEL). The Permissible Exposure Limit set by OSHA, which defines the maximum amount or concentration of a substance a worker may be exposed to under OSHA regulations during a workday.
• Eye and Face Protection. OSHA-mandated PPE including safety goggles, face shields, and full-face respirators used when workers are exposed to flying particles, chemicals, or harmful radiation.

F

• Fall Protection Systems. Safety equipment and procedures designed to prevent workers from falling from heights, including guardrails, safety harnesses, nets, and personal fall arrest systems, often mandated by OSHA.
• Fire Cutoff. A fire-resistance-rated wall or barrier designed to limit the spread of fire within a building, crucial in demolition plans involving partial structure removal.
• Fire Prevention Plan. A documented strategy required by OSHA for preventing fires in the workplace, detailing fire hazards, control measures, and emergency response procedures.
• Fire Watch. A designated person responsible for monitoring a hot work area for signs of fire during and after operations involving open flame or sparks, as required in OSHA's fire prevention protocols.
• First Aid Requirements. OSHA mandates that employers ensure adequate first aid supplies are readily available and that trained personnel are on site when medical facilities are not reasonably accessible.
• Flammable. Easily ignitable and capable of burning quickly; materials labeled flammable require strict storage and handling protocols during renovation or demolition
• Flammable Liquids. Substances with a flashpoint below 100°F, which require strict storage and handling procedures under OSHA to prevent fire or explosion on worksites.

G

• General Duty Clause. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm, even if a specific standard does not exist.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). A device required by OSHA on construction sites to protect workers from electrical shock by shutting off power when an imbalance in current is detected.

H

• Hazard Assessment. A formal process required by OSHA to evaluate workplace operations and identify hazards for which personal protective equipment (PPE) or other controls may be required.
• Hazard Communication (HazCom). OSHA’s requirement that employers inform and train workers about hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to on the job, typically through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and proper labeling.
• Head Protection. Hard hats are required PPE under OSHA for areas where there is potential for head injury from falling objects, impact, or electrical hazards.
• Health Hazards. Biological, chemical, or physical agents—such as dust, mold, or toxic fumes—that can cause illness or chronic health conditions for construction workers.
• Hierarchy of Control Measures. A system for minimizing or eliminating exposure to hazards, ranked from most effective to least: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Housekeeping. A basic OSHA requirement that involves maintaining cleanliness and organization on construction sites to prevent slips, trips, falls, and fire hazards.
• Hot Work Permit. An OSHA-recommended document that authorizes cutting, welding, or other operations that can produce sparks or flames, often part of a fire prevention program.
• Hygiene. The practices and conditions that preserve health and prevent disease, especially important on worksites where exposure to hazardous substances or dust is possible.

I

• Illuminate. To light up a work area, often a requirement in OSHA standards to ensure safe working conditions during renovation or demolition, especially in poorly lit or enclosed spaces.
• Illumination Requirements. OSHA standards require minimum lighting levels for various construction activities to ensure worker visibility and prevent accidents in poorly lit areas.
• Incident Reporting. The formal process of documenting injuries, near-misses, or unsafe conditions on a construction site to ensure corrective actions and compliance with safety regulations.
• Inorganic. A substance not containing carbon-hydrogen bonds; common in many construction materials such as concrete and metals, which may produce hazardous dust when disturbed during demolition.
• Internal Combustion Engine. An engine that generates power through the combustion of fuel within a confined space; used in many demolition tools and vehicles, producing heat and exhaust gases.

J

• Jackhammer. A pneumatic or electro-mechanical tool used in demolition to break up concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces by delivering rapid percussive force.

K

• Kickback. A sudden and forceful recoil of a tool, such as a saw or grinder, that can occur during demolition when the tool binds or contacts a hard object, posing a safety hazard.

L

• Lead Paint Removal. A hazardous activity often encountered during renovation of older structures, requiring specific safety practices to prevent lead poisoning from inhalation or ingestion of contaminated dust.
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). A safety procedure used to ensure that machines or systems are properly shut off and cannot be started up again before maintenance or repair work is completed.

M

• Machine Guarding. Protective barriers or covers required by OSHA to shield workers from moving parts of machinery that could cause injury through entanglement, crushing, or contact.
• Malleable. A material property that allows it to be shaped or formed without breaking, applicable to metals often cut, bent, or repurposed during renovation and demolition.
• Management. The organizational oversight and coordination of safety, scheduling, workforce, equipment, and compliance requirements on construction sites.
• Means of Egress. A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a building to a public way, required to meet OSHA's fire safety standards to ensure safe evacuation.
• Medical Requirements. Health-related standards mandated for workers, including pre-employment screenings, fit-for-duty evaluations, and first-aid availability, especially in high-risk environments like demolition and renovation.
• Mesothelioma. A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen, strongly associated with asbestos exposure; often diagnosed in construction or demolition workers with past exposure to asbestos-containing materials.
• Multi-Employer Worksite Policy. An OSHA policy that holds multiple employers responsible for safety on shared construction sites, especially when creating, exposing, correcting, or controlling hazards.

N

• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. A health condition caused by prolonged exposure to high noise levels on construction sites, often preventable through engineering controls and hearing protection devices.

O

• OSHA 10/30 Hour Training. Voluntary training programs that cover occupational safety and health topics for construction workers (10-hour) and supervisors (30-hour), often required by employers or jurisdictions for site access.
• OSHA Requirements. Federal safety and health regulations enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, designed to protect workers from workplace hazards including those specific to construction and demolition activities.

P

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Gear worn to reduce exposure to hazards, including hard hats, gloves, eye protection, respirators, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toe boots.
• Physical Hazards. Environmental or task-related factors such as noise, vibration, heat, and moving machinery that can cause injury or harm on construction sites.
• Pneumatic. Powered by compressed air, pneumatic tools like jackhammers are frequently used in demolition for breaking concrete and pavement.
• Post-Tensioned Concrete. A form of concrete reinforcement where steel tendons are tensioned after the concrete is cast, requiring caution during demolition to avoid sudden structural release.
• Purge. To remove hazardous gases or contaminants from equipment or piping systems, often a prerequisite before demolition or repair work in flammable or toxic environments.

Q

• Qualified Person. A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, work, or project during demolition.

R

• Recordkeeping Requirements. OSHA mandates that certain employers record and report work-related injuries and illnesses using forms such as OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 to help identify and correct workplace hazards.
• Renovation. The process of improving or modernizing a structure without complete removal, often involving demolition of interior elements and requiring hazard assessments.
• Renovation and Demolition Hazards. Risks associated with modifying or dismantling structures, including exposure to asbestos, lead, structural collapse, electrical hazards, and falling debris.
• Respirable. Refers to airborne particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled, such as respirable crystalline silica or asbestos dust, which pose serious health risks.
• Respirable Crystalline Silica. A fine dust produced during cutting, grinding, or drilling silica-containing materials like concrete or stone; exposure can cause silicosis and is regulated by OSHA standards.
• Respirable Dust. Fine particles that are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, regulated by OSHA when generated from activities like cutting or grinding construction materials; often includes silica, asbestos, or lead.
• Respiratory Protection. Equipment and programs designed to protect workers from inhaling harmful airborne substances, including respirators, fit testing, and training required under OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard.
• Respiratory Protection Program. An OSHA-mandated program ensuring proper use and maintenance of respirators when engineering controls cannot eliminate airborne contaminants like dust, fumes, or asbestos.

S

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS). OSHA-required documentation that provides detailed information about the properties, hazards, protective measures, and emergency response for each hazardous chemical in use.
• Scaffolding Safety. Practices and requirements to ensure safe erection, use, and dismantling of scaffolds, including load capacity, fall protection, and proper training of workers.
• Siamese Connection. A fitting typically found on the exterior of a building that allows firefighters to connect hoses and supply water to a standpipe or sprinkler system during emergencies or fire watch in demolition zones.
• Silicosis. An incurable lung disease caused by inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust, leading to inflammation and scarring of lung tissue; commonly affects workers engaged in demolition, masonry, and concrete cutting.
• Site Safety Plan. A comprehensive document outlining the specific safety practices, emergency procedures, and hazard mitigation strategies for a particular construction or demolition project.
• Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards. Common causes of workplace injuries that OSHA mandates be mitigated through proper housekeeping, lighting, and use of signage and barriers.
• Standpipe. A vertical water pipe system within a building, used for firefighting purposes, often part of the fire protection system that must be maintained during demolition or renovation activities.
• Substitution (Hazard Control). Replacing a hazardous material or process with a less hazardous one as a control method ranked just below elimination in the hierarchy of controls.

T

• Toolbox Talks. Informal, on-site safety meetings OSHA encourages employers to conduct regularly, focusing on specific hazards, safe practices, or OSHA regulation updates relevant to the day's work.
• Toxicity. The degree to which a substance can cause harm to health, an important consideration when handling dust, fumes, or chemicals during demolition and renovation work.
• Trenching and Excavation Safety. OSHA regulations addressing the prevention of cave-ins, falling loads, and other hazards associated with working in or around trenches and excavations.

U

• Undermining. The process of removing soil or support materials from beneath a structure during demolition, which can cause unplanned collapse if not properly controlled.

V

• Vibration Hazards. Risks associated with the use of vibrating tools and machinery during demolition, which can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or equipment destabilization.

W

• Wrecking Ball. A heavy steel ball suspended from a crane, used in traditional demolition to destroy masonry and concrete structures through repeated impact.

X

• X-Bracing. A cross-bracing method used in structural support systems that may be removed or replaced during partial demolition, requiring careful planning to maintain stability.

Y

• Yield Point. The stress at which a material begins to deform permanently, an important structural consideration when evaluating components for demolition.

Z

• Zone of Influence. The area surrounding a demolition site that may be affected by vibration, dust, flying debris, or structural collapse, and must be controlled or restricted for safety.