This chapter describes minimum safety requirements for conducting demolition

activities at Saudi Aramco (SA) operating facilities and office/residential structures.

SA General Instructions (GIs):

GI 2.100, Work Permit System

GI 2.709, Gas Testing Procedure

GI 6.012, Isolation, Lockout and Use of Hold Tags

GI 8.001, Safety Requirements for Scaffolds

GI 150.001, Asbestos Hazard Management

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Engineers

(ASSE):

ANSI/ASSE A10.6, Safety Requirements for Demolition Operations

ANSI/ASSE Z117.1, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces

14.3.1 All asbestos-containing material or suspected material shall be identified

and handled with strict adherence to GI 150.001.

14.3.2 All utility services, such as electricity, gas, water and fire protection
systems, shall be isolated and properly locked and tagged per GI 6.012
prior to demolition work. The utility services’ main supply shall be
disconnected outside the boundary of the demolition work. Tanks and
vessels shall be completely disconnected from inlet, outlet and overflow
points.

14.3.3 It shall be determined if any type of hazardous chemicals, gases,

explosives, flammable materials, or similarly dangerous substances have
been used in any pipes, tanks, or other equipment on the property. When
the presence of any such substances is apparent or suspected, testing and
purging shall be performed and the hazard eliminated before demolition is
started.

14.3.4 Prior to demolition of a multistory building, an engineering survey shall be

made, by a degreed structural engineer, of the structure to determine the
condition of the framing, floors and walls, and possibility of unplanned
 collapse of any portion of the building. Any adjacent structure where
personnel may be exposed shall also be similarly checked. The demolition
crew shall have in writing evidence that such a survey has been performed.

14.3.5 Adjacent structures, public buildings, pedestrian walkways, parking lots,

etc., shall be protected from potential demolition debris. Bracing shall be
installed, where needed, to ensure stability of adjacent structures.

14.3.6 Work permits shall be per GI 2.100.

14.3.7 Barricades shall be erected around the demolition work area. Signs with the
words “Danger - Demolition in Progress” in Arabic and English shall be
erected at each approach to the demolition area.

14.4.1 Frequent inspections shall be performed during demolition activities to

identify hazards that may develop from weakened or overloaded floors,
unsupported walls, loose material, etc. Steps shall be immediately taken to
prevent premature collapse of any part of the structure. Personnel shall not
be permitted to work where such hazards exist until they are corrected by
shoring, bracing or other effective means.

14.4.2 Masonry, concrete and other debris shall not be permitted to fall upon a
floor so as to exceed the safe load capacity of the floor.

14.4.3 Lateral supports shall not be removed from more than one story of wall
before starting to demolish it. When a wall from which supports have been
removed is left standing, including during overnight and off-work hours,
adequate bracing shall be provided to prevent collapse and protect against
wind loads.

14.4.4 Structural or load-supporting members on any floor shall not be cut or

removed until all stories above it have been completely demolished and
removed.

14.4.5 Personnel shall not be permitted to work on top of a roof, wall, etc., when
weather conditions could create a hazardous environment.

14.5.1 Access/Egress

A. A safe means of access and egress from all work areas shall be provided.
Work areas, ladders, stairways and walkways shall be kept clear of
material and debris.

B. Floor openings within 3 m (10 ft) of any wall being demolished shall be
planked solid, except when personnel are prevented from accessing the
area below the opening by use of barricades, signs, etc.
14.5.2 Nails in timber shall be removed or bent over.

14.5.3 Glass in windows, doors, partitions, etc., shall be completely removed prior
to structural demolition.

14.6.1 A demolition procedure for steel structures (e.g., storage tanks, silos,
towers, pipe racks) shall be developed and submitted to the SA proponent
organization (SAPO) for review prior to demolition.

14.6.2 Steel frame construction shall be demolished column length by column

length and tier by tier.

14.6.3 Any structural steel member being removed shall not be under any stress
other than its own weight.

14.6.4 Steel members shall be chained or lashed in place prior to cutting or

dismantling to prevent uncontrolled swinging or dropping.

14.7.1 Vessels, tanks, pipes, etc., that may have contained hydrocarbons or other
toxic/flammable materials shall be isolated, flushed, and ventilated to
remove residual materials. Subsequent gas tests shall be conducted and
work permits issued per GIs 2.709 and 2.100 prior to burning or cutting.
The lower explosive limit (LEL) shall be 0% LEL before the Hot Work
Permit can be issued.

14.7.2 The use of cold cutting techniques for dismantling tanks, vessels and
piping requires a Cold Work Permit per GI 2.100.

14.8.1 The following minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) for

demolition workers shall be provided:

A. Hard hat.

B. Safety glasses/goggles.

C. Heavy-duty gloves.

D. Safety boots with steel toe caps and preferably with penetrant-resistant
soles.

E. Appropriate respiratory equipment (as necessary to prevent inhalation of

dust and/or particulates).
14.8.2 Additional PPE, specific to the job task, shall be provided when necessary
(e.g., face shield, earplugs, welding goggles/mask). See Chapter I-3,
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of this manual.

14.8.3 Full-body harnesses and lanyards (with lifelines where required) shall be
used whenever a worker could fall more than 1.8 m (6 ft). See Chapter II-5,
Fall Protection.

Heavy equipment, such as cranes and bulldozers, shall be equipped with wire mesh
guards over windows and solid protection over the driver’s position to protect the
operator from flying/falling debris.