# Job Hazard Analysis: Concrete demolition URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/concrete/demolition Last updated: 2026-10-23 Breaking out and removing concrete slabs, sidewalks, driveways, or footings using a walk-behind or handheld gas cut-off saw with water, 60-lb or 90-lb pneumatic or electric breaker hammers, a skid steer with hydraulic breaker or bucket, and hand loading into a roll-off dumpster. Covers outdoor and indoor work. Concrete contains crystalline silica and may contain rebar, wire mesh, embedded conduit, or buried utilities. > A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts. ## Steps, hazards and controls ### 1. Survey the slab and plan the work - **Cutting or breaking into buried or embedded electrical lines, gas lines, or water pipes** (High): Call 811 and wait for utility marks before any cutting or breaking.; Have the competent person shut off, lock out, and tag any power to circuits running in or under the slab.; Scan the slab with GPR or check plans for conduit and pipes; mark them with paint.; Use only tools with insulated handles and GFCI-protected cords. - **Post-tension cables in the slab snapping out under high tension** (High): Look for tendon pockets or PT stamps at slab edges; if found, stop and get an engineer's plan before cutting.; Keep everyone out of the line of the cables until they are de-tensioned. ### 2. Set up the work zone, barricades, and equipment - **Workers struck by passing vehicles or the public walking into the work area** (Medium): Put up cones, barricades, and caution tape at least 10 ft around the work area.; Post 'Danger – Demolition – Keep Out' signs at every entrance.; Use a trained flagger when work is next to a street or driveway in use.; Wear a hi-vis vest at all times. - **Back and shoulder strain unloading breakers, saws, and air compressor hoses** (Low): Use a hand truck or the skid steer to move breakers and saws.; Two-person lift for anything over 50 lb. ### 3. Saw-cut the edges with a water-fed cut-off saw - **Breathing silica dust from cutting concrete** (High): Use only saws with a working water feed; keep water flowing on the blade the whole cut.; Never dry-cut concrete.; Keep other workers upwind and out of the dust and slurry area.; Indoors or when cutting over 4 hours a shift with a handheld saw, wear a respirator with APF 10 or higher as listed in the silica exposure control plan. - **Saw kickback or contact with the spinning blade** (High): Check the blade guard, blade rating, and arbor before starting; replace cracked or worn blades.; Keep the cut open with wedges so the blade does not pinch.; Hold the saw with both hands and stand to the side of the blade, never behind it.; Let the blade stop fully before setting the saw down. - **Carbon monoxide from gas saws used indoors or in tight spaces** (Medium): Use an electric or hydraulic saw indoors instead of a gas saw.; If a gas saw must be used inside, open doors, run fans, and use a CO monitor.; Stop work and get fresh air if you feel a headache, dizziness, or nausea. ### 4. Break the concrete with breaker hammers or a skid steer breaker - **Flying concrete chips hitting eyes, face, or nearby workers** (Medium): Keep everyone not breaking at least 15 ft away; 25 ft from a skid steer breaker.; Wear safety glasses plus a face shield while breaking. - **Silica dust from breaking concrete** (High): Spray water at the point of impact with a hose or water-fed attachment while breaking.; Run the skid steer with the cab door closed and the air filter clean.; Wear a respirator with APF 10 or higher for handheld breaking indoors or as listed in the silica plan. - **Loud noise and hand-arm vibration from 60–90 lb breakers** (High): Use low-vibration breakers and let the tool's weight do the work; do not lean on it.; Rotate operators every 30 minutes.; Wear earplugs and earmuffs together and anti-vibration gloves. - **Breaker point or slab pieces falling on feet; air hose whipping if it comes loose** (Medium): Pin all air hose connections with whip checks and safety clips.; Shut off air and bleed the line before changing points.; Wear steel-toe boots with metatarsal guards. ### 5. Cut rebar and wire mesh - **Sparks from abrasive saw or torch starting a fire** (Medium): Use hydraulic rebar cutters or bolt cutters instead of a torch when possible.; Clear wood, fuel cans, and trash 35 ft from the cut.; Keep a charged fire extinguisher within reach. - **Impalement or cuts from sticking-up rebar ends** (Medium): Cut rebar flush or bend it down right away.; Put rebar caps on any ends that stay up.; Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling rebar and mesh. ### 6. Load debris into the dumpster - **Workers struck or run over by the skid steer** (High): Only trained, authorized operators run the skid steer.; Keep ground workers out of the machine's swing and travel path; make eye contact with the operator before approaching.; Check that the backup alarm works; use a spotter when backing near people or the dumpster.; Wear seat belt and keep the lap bar down while operating. - **Back strain and pinched fingers lifting concrete chunks by hand** (Medium): Break pieces small enough to lift easily, under 50 lb, or use the skid steer bucket.; Lift with your legs, keep the load close, and do not twist.; Wear leather work gloves. ### 7. Clean up the area and put away tools - **Silica dust stirred up during cleanup** (Medium): Wet down dust and slurry, then shovel or use a HEPA vacuum.; Never dry sweep or blow dust with compressed air.; Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking. - **Trips and falls over hoses, cords, rubble, and open slab edges** (Low): Coil hoses and cords and remove rubble as you go.; Barricade any drop-offs or holes left open overnight. ## Required PPE - Hard hat — ANSI Z89.1, at all times in the work zone. - Safety glasses — ANSI Z87.1 with side shields at all times. - Face shield — Over safety glasses while saw-cutting, breaking, or cutting rebar. - Hearing protection — Earplugs at all times near saws and breakers; earplugs plus earmuffs when running a breaker. - Respirator — APF 10 or higher (N95 or half-face P100) when required by the silica exposure control plan; fit test required. - Steel-toe boots with metatarsal guards — At all times; metatarsal guards required when breaking. - Gloves — Anti-vibration gloves for breakers; cut-resistant gloves for rebar; leather gloves for loading. - Hi-vis vest — ANSI Class 2 at all times, especially near traffic or the skid steer. ## Training - Silica hazards and the company's written silica exposure control plan. - Respirator medical evaluation, fit test, and training before wearing a respirator. - Safe use of cut-off saws, breaker hammers, and air compressors, including blade and hose inspection. - Skid steer operator training and authorization for anyone running the machine. - Demolition survey by a competent person before work starts, including utilities and post-tension check. - Hearing conservation and hand-arm vibration awareness. ## Emergency If someone is struck by the skid steer or hits a live electrical line: stop all work and shut down equipment. Do not touch a person still in contact with the line. Call 911 and give the site address. Give first aid only when it is safe, and send someone to meet the ambulance. ## Official sources - [29 CFR 1926.850](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.850) — Demolition — preparatory operations - [29 CFR 1926.1153](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1153) — Respirable crystalline silica - [29 CFR 1926.302](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.302) — Power-operated hand tools - [29 CFR 1926.101](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.101) — Hearing protection - [29 CFR 1926.102](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.102) — Eye and face protection - [29 CFR 1926.602](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.602) — Material handling equipment - [29 CFR 1926.416](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.416) — Electrical — general requirements - [29 CFR 1910.134](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1910.134) — Respiratory protection program --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.