#1. The Standard 5-Step Process
(1) Identify the hazards (manual, mechanical, structural, environmental, chemical, biological). (2) Identify who can be harmed (workers, public, adjacent buildings). (3) Evaluate the risk (likelihood × severity). (4) Apply the hierarchy of controls (eliminate → substitute → engineer → administer → PPE). (5) Record and review.
#2. Common UAE Demolition Hazards
Falling objects (severity 5, likelihood 4 without controls). Working at height (5/4). Heat stress May–September (4/5). Dust and silica (4/5). Asbestos (5/3 in pre-2000 buildings). Vehicle and equipment collision (5/3). Confined space entries (5/2). Live utility strikes (5/2). Each must be scored and controlled.
#3. Risk Scoring Matrix
UAE-standard 5×5 matrix: Severity 1 (first aid) to 5 (fatality), Likelihood 1 (rare) to 5 (certain). Score 1–4 acceptable, 5–9 manageable with controls, 10–15 requires written procedure, 16–25 STOP — additional controls mandatory before work proceeds.
#4. Hierarchy of Controls in Practice
Elimination is the strongest control: can the hazard be removed? E.g., remove asbestos before structural demolition. Substitution: replace pneumatic breaker with diamond cutting for noise. Engineering: dust suppression water curtains. Administrative: permit-to-work, rotation. PPE: last line of defence, never the only control.
#5. Heat Stress Risk Assessment
UAE-specific: May–September heat-stress risk rises to severity 4–5 with likelihood 5. Controls: midday work ban (12:30–15:00 from 15 June to 15 September), cool rest areas, electrolyte fluids, mandatory rest breaks every 90 minutes, supervisor heat-stress monitoring with cooling vests as needed.
#6. Public and Third-Party Risk
Demolitions adjacent to occupied buildings, schools, or roads must score public risk separately. Falling debris on a pedestrian: severity 5, likelihood 3 without hoarding. Hoarding to 2.4m plus exclusion zone reduces likelihood to 1 — acceptable residual score of 5.
#7. Review Triggers
The HIRA must be reviewed when: scope changes, an incident or near-miss occurs, new equipment is introduced, regulatory requirements change, or every 6 months minimum on long projects. Reviews are documented with version control.