Demolition licensing and the new work health and safety laws
New work health and safety (WHS) laws commenced on 1 January 2012. Transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers move to this new system.
Existing demolition arrangements will continue until demolition licensing under the National Occupational Licensing System commences, most likely in 2013.
Check the transitional arrangements for demolition work to see if they apply to your work.
Restricted demolition
A restricted demolition licence is required to demolish, or partially demolish, any building, structure or installation that:
- is between four metres and 15 metres in height involving mechanical demolition such as using excavators, bulldozers or cranes
- is between 10 metres and 15 metres in height and affects its structural integrity
- involves the use of load shifting machinery on suspended floors.
The restricted demolition licence costs $2000 (GST free) and is valid for up to two years.
You can upgrade your restricted demolition licence using the Application to amend a restricted demolition licence (Demolition-02) form.
Demolition
A demolition licence is required to demolish, or partially demolish, any building, structure or installation that:
- is over 15 metres in height
- is a chemical installation
- involves a tower crane on site
- involves a mobile crane with a rated capacity of more than 100 tonnes
- has structural components that are pre-tensioned or post-tensioned
- involves floor propping
- involves explosives.
The demolition licence costs $2000 (GST free) and is valid for up to two years.
Eligibility criteria
Individuals over 18 years of age, partnerships and businesses can obtain a licence provided they satisfy all the eligibility criteria and application requirements.
To eligible for a licence you must fulfil the requirement of being ‘fit and proper’ under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. WorkCover’s assessment criteria for determining if you are fit and proper include:
- if you have been convicted of an offence under NSW occupational health and safety or other legislation administered by WorkCover
- if you have made a statement or provided information in connection with a WorkCover licence, permit or notification, knowing that the statement or information was false or misleading
- if you have failed to comply with the conditions of a conditional asbestos or demolition licence
- if you have been issued a significant number of notices pertaining to unsafe systems of work
- if you had an asbestos or demolition licence cancelled or suspended by WorkCover.
The period of assessment for fit and proper will be two calendar years preceding the date of the licence application.
Applying for a licence
You must complete the Application for a demolition licence (Demolition-01) and:
- select either restricted demolition or demolition
- provide a certificate of currency for workers compensation insurance if you have employees and are not an exempt employer
- provide a certificate of currency for public liability insurance that lists the business activity as 'demolition'
- nominate a supervisor involved in the management of the business. The management supervisor must have the appropriate qualifications and three years experience in supervising demolition related work
- pay a fee of $2000 (GST free).
Applications can be lodged by fax on 02 9287 5499 or post to WorkCover NSW, Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow NSW 2252.
Supervisors
Each work site must have an approved supervisor in attendance whilst demolition work is being carried out. Each site supervisor must have:
- completed the Demolition Supervision (Restricted) Course through TAFE NSW. Supervisors for an unrestricted licence must have completed the Demolition Supervision (Unrestricted) Course through TAFE NSW
- three years experience in demolition or a relevant building related trade for restricted demolition or
- three years experience in supervising demolition work.
You can have multiple supervisors attached to your licence. To register additional supervisors for your licence, you must complete the Demolition supervisor nomination form (Demolition-03) for each supervisor.
Obligations
In addition to ensuring a nominated supervisor is in attendance whilst demolition work is being carried out, each licence holder must ensure they comply with all the requirements of the regulation including:
- conducting a risk assessment before commencing work
- ensuring that demolition work is performed in a manner that reduces the risk to the health of both demolition workers and the public
- informing workers of the dangers involved and the precautions that should be taken
- ensuring all workers are adequately trained in safe work methods for demolition work (either unrestricted or demolition work)
- applying to have any changes to the nominated supervisor/s registered to your licence within 14 calendar days
- display a copy of the licence at the site.
More information about demolition licences is available in the Guide for applicants for demolition licences or call 13 10 50.