Safety Tips for Large-Scale Industrial Demolition Projects

When you are heading towards a commercial demolition, you can not compromise the quality of work. We know you want everything to be completed as smoothly as possible. At VWD Group, we are melbourne commercial demolition experts, providing quality demolition work throughout Melbourne. That too, for more than 35 years. 

We have complete more than 1000 demolition projects in Melbourne. So, in today’s article, we will be sharing some useful tips with which you can ensure that your commercial demolition project in Melbourne is completed smoothly. 

Choose the Right Demolition Contractor

This is not just a tip, but this is like a disclaimer. Apparently, it’s very important to choose an experienced contractor for your commercial demolition project. The contractor you choose should mandatorily have the relevant licenses from WorkSafe Victoria (or from your state’s authority) and insurance coverage.

Not just licenses, but the contractor that you choose should also understand Melbourne’s building regulations and council requirements. This is because commercial demolition involves more paperwork and stricter safety standards than residential jobs.

Also, do not just go with the one who gives you the cheapest quote. Always take your time and check their track record with commercial projects similar to yours. A contractor who mainly does residential work can struggle with the complexities of commercial demolition work. 

Well, when you make the right contractor choice, most of the things we are about to share in this article will no longer be your stress. An experienced demolition contractor like VWD Group actually works to make the whole process easy for you. 

Get All Your Permits Sorted Early

Another important thing that will help you make your commercial demolition work smooth is planning ahead for your permits. As said, some councils like Melbourne take commercial demolition permits seriously. 

So it’s wiser to start your permit applications at least 6-8 weeks before you want to begin work. This gives you buffer time if councils need additional information or if there are delays.

Your demolition contractor should help with this process, but ultimately, the permits are your responsibility as the property owner. Missing permits can shut down your entire project and result in hefty fines.

Also, just make sure that all connections like gas, electricity, water and telecommunications all need to be properly disconnected before demolition begins. 

Plan Your Waste Management Strategy 

Well, another important point is creating a strategy for all the waste that’ll be created from your demolition work.

As you might know, Melbourne has strict waste disposal regulations. Different materials go to different facilities, and some require special handling. Your contractor should have good relationships with licensed waste facilities.

Just make sure you have enough space for waste containers on site. Large commercial projects might need multiple skips or bins, and these need regular emptying throughout the project.

Conduct Thorough Site Assessments 

Before any demolition starts, you really need to do comprehensive site assessments. We always recommend this because it saves you from headaches later on. These assessments include structural engineering reports, asbestos surveys, and environmental assessments.

There is another thing that you need to consider, which is soil contamination, especially for industrial sites. Some contaminants require special disposal methods, and this affects your timeline and budget.

Also, underground utilities and services need proper mapping. Trust us, you definitely don’t want excavators hitting gas lines or major electrical cables during demolition work.

Take Extra Precautions For Everyone’s Safety

So, for a commercial demolition project, you should pay extra attention to the safety aspect. You need to put up strong fences around the work area. Put up big signs that tell people to stay away. Only workers should be allowed inside.

Other than these safety precautions, you should also inform your neighbours about the demolition work. That’s because your demolition work will affect their business as well. Also, in case your building touches other buildings, ask your contractor to be extra careful. You may need an engineer to check that you won’t damage nearby structures.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Demolition almost always takes longer than people think it will. Bad weather can slow things down. You might have to wait for permits. Sometimes you find problems that nobody expected.

Always add extra weeks to your schedule. If you need the site ready by a certain date, count backwards and add buffer time. This way, you won’t be stressed if things take longer.

Think about the weather too. Rain and storms can stop outdoor work. Winter months in Melbourne often have more rain, so plan around that.

Make sure your demolition timing works with your other plans. 

Check on the Work Regularly

Even if you hire the most experienced contractors, you should visit the site regularly to make sure everything is going well and as per the plan.

Meet with your contractor every week. Talk about any problems and discuss what’s coming next. It’s much easier to fix small issues before they become big, expensive problems.

Take lots of pictures and write notes about what’s happening. If something goes wrong later, you’ll have good records. This helps with insurance claims, too.

You hired experts to do the work, but you should always give your opinions on the important choices that affect your project. 

Plan What Happens After

Now, you should also have a plan for prepping your site for after the demolition work. Talk to your contractor early about what condition you want the site in when they’re finished. 

We have worked on many commercial demolition projects in Melbourne, so we know that different sites have different requirements. Some projects need the ground at a certain level. Others need the soil packed down in a special way. Some sites need environmental cleanup after demolition. That’s why you should always have a solid plan about it to avoid any glitches afterwards.

Get A Free Quote For Your Commercial Demolition Project In Melbourne 

Commercial demolition has lots of moving parts, but good planning makes everything work smoothly. The only thing is thinking ahead and working with experienced people who know what they’re doing. If you are in Melbourne and looking forward to a free quote or a direct discussion about your project, we are here to assist you. We really mean it when we say we are Melbourne’s demolition experts. So, in case you want to share your concerns or requirements, we are just a call away. Call us at 1300 893 366 or send us an email at info@vwdgroup.com.au, and we will get back to you.