Safety checklist — Demolition
Demolition and removal work. Based on Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.
Before work
12 items- ✓
Full PPE: hard hat, FFP3 mask, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves
- ✓
Asbestos types / contaminants determined before work (CSTC 3.23.3)Critical
ℹ️ CSTC 3.23.3: determine asbestos types before work. “Before 1999” is not a date written in the Code.
- ✓
Utilities disconnected and confirmed de-energized: water, power, gas, telecomCritical
ℹ️ Verify disconnection with respective utility providers
- ✓
Demolition perimeter per CSTC 3.18.1 / 3.18.3
ℹ️ 3.18.1 (9): public access prohibited. 3.18.3 c): delimited area if mechanical method. “Prohibition signs” are not named in the Code.
- ✓
Load-bearing structure identified — engineer consulted if in doubt
- ✓
Demolition plan posted and explained to team
- ✓
Adjacent buildings protected if necessary
- ✓
Demolition from top to bottom — never by undermining
- ✓
No overloading of floors — materials removed progressively
- ✓
Water spraying to limit crystalline silica dust
- ✓
Rubble removed by chute or bin — never by free fall
- ✓
Continuous monitoring of residual stability
After work
4 items- ✓
Residual structure stability verified
- ✓
Area cleaned, secured and fenced
- ✓
Waste sorted: wood, metal, concrete, hazardous materials
- ✓
Asbestos-containing materials stored per regulations
16 verification items — use this checklist on-site with the app
Use on-site — freePDF reports, history and team management in the app
For information only — this is not legal advice. OK Sécurité is an independent company with no affiliation to the CNESST: we are not mandated, endorsed or certified by it. Completing a checklist here does not by itself establish your compliance — your exact obligations depend on your job site and your prevention program. Where there is any discrepancy, the official text published by Légis Québec or the CNESST prevails.
More checklists — Heavy Work
More safety checklists
Risks and prevention — Demolition
Demolition work poses risks of unplanned collapse, dust exposure (silica, asbestos), contact with live utilities (electrical, gas), and flying debris. CSTC 3.18.1 requires a notice and demolition procedure sent to the Commission at least 7 days before start — not only “if more than one storey.”
Before any work, underground and overhead utilities must be located and disconnected. Asbestos types are determined before work (CSTC 3.23.3). The demolition zone must be clearly marked and restricted to authorized personnel.
Heavy equipment operators must have adequate visibility and communication with the spotter. Structures must be demolished top-down in a controlled sequence to prevent sudden collapses.
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