What is high reach demolition?

High or ultra-high reach demolition is understood to be a demolition carried out in height-operating from ground level – with the aid of special machinery specialized for demolishing structures at high elevations.

In modern demolition, high reach equipment is an indispensable tool. With the right tools, high reach demolition machines can be used to perform controlled demolitions of reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, and mixed materials structures.

Even so, it is vital to always make very sure how to best proceed with a demolition project, even if this equipment is often the best one for the job in many cases. A factor to consider is the height of the structure. The height can indicate whether high reach equipment is fitting the purpose, as well as what size will be able to reach and work safely. Nevertheless, the safety of delivery to the site and the accessibility of the workplace must also be taken into consideration. It is essential to have access to the area where the equipment is required, as well as sufficient space to operate. That includes considering the proximity to other buildings and how vibration, noise and dust will affect them. It should also be considered that when repurposing buildings, the building structure may need to remain intact, but the remainder must be removed. This requires a different set of equipment and work methods.

Anyhow, high reach machines are essentially used for primary demolition of the building, they are not used for secondary demolition, crushing or screening of material, as these are undertaken using machines with different attachments. The operational requirements of the high reach machines are determined by factors such as the type of structure being demolished, the height of the structure being demolished and site conditions (such as sloping sites, ground conditions, etc.).

Also, consider that some structures are of a height that no high reach machine can reach. On some occasions, deconstruction may be required to lower a structure to a sufficient height to enable high reach demolition to take place.

Moreover, it must be mentioned that when safety protocols and procedures are not followed, high reach equipment can be hazardous and dangerous. Training and continuing education are therefore vital to ensure that each operative involved knows how to handle and work around this equipment.

In this sense, a detailed method statement and task-specific risk assessments should be produced and developed for all work involving high or ultra-high reach machines.

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