Structural works compliance checklist

Use this checklist before starting structural works including demolition, deep excavation, piling, or temporary support operations. Each item is a legal or industry requirement. Do not start work until all applicable items are confirmed.

Demolition and structural alteration

• Section 80 demolition notice served on Local Authority Building Control at least 6 weeks before demolition starts
• Section 81 counter-notice conditions reviewed and satisfied (if counter-notice received)
• Refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey completed for any building constructed before 2000
• Licensed asbestos removal contractor appointed (if licensed asbestos identified)
• Pre-demolition structural survey completed identifying load-bearing elements and structural form
• Written demolition method statement prepared in accordance with BS 6187
• Competent person appointed to supervise demolition work
• Exclusion zones established and hoarding erected
• Utility companies notified and services disconnected or protected

Temporary works

• Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) appointed for the project
• Temporary works register established and maintained
• Temporary works design completed and independently checked by a Design Checker
• Permit to load issued by TWC before any load applied to temporary works
• Inspection regime in place for all temporary works during use
• BS 5975:2019 procedures followed for all formwork, falsework, propping, and shoring

Excavation safety

• Underground services plans obtained from asset owners (gas, electric, water, telecoms)
• Cable avoidance tool (CAT and Genny) survey completed before breaking ground
• Excavation support type selected by competent person (trench sheets, hydraulic props, trench boxes, battering, or sheet piling)
• Edge protection installed (guard rails minimum 950mm, toe boards)
• Safe access and egress provided (ladders extending at least 1 metre above landing; as industry good practice, no worker more than 25 metres from an escape route)
• Excavated materials stored at safe distance from edge (minimum setback equal to excavation depth)
• Vehicle stop blocks or barriers in place near excavation edges
• Emergency plan for collapse, flooding, and utility contact in place before work begins
• Competent person available to inspect excavation before each shift and after adverse events

Lifting operations (cranes, piling rigs, hoists)

• Current thorough examination report held for all lifting equipment (12-monthly for general equipment; 6-monthly for equipment lifting persons and for lifting accessories)
• Thorough examination completed after installation or assembly at new site location
• Appointed person designated for each crane lifting operation
• Written lift plan prepared covering load weight, radius, ground conditions, and proximity hazards
• Crane supervisor present during lifting operations
• Examination reports available on site for inspection

Competency cards and qualifications

• CPCS cards held by all crane operators (A04 tower crane, A60 mobile crane, A02 crawler crane as applicable)
• CPCS Slinger/Signaller card (A40) held by personnel attaching loads and directing crane movements
• CPCS Appointed Person card (A61) held by person planning crane lifts
• CPCS piling rig card held by piling rig operators (A30 tripod rigs; A45 to A48 driven and bored rigs)
• CISRS cards held by scaffolders erecting access scaffolding for structural works
• CSCS cards held by all site operatives
• All competency cards checked for current validity before work begins

CDM Schedule 3 requirements

• CDM construction phase plan addresses all applicable Schedule 3 particular risks (excavation, demolition, piling, heavy lifting, work near unstable structures)
• HSE notified via F10 if the project is notifiable (exceeding 30 working days with more than 20 workers, or exceeding 500 person-days)
• Risk assessments completed for each structural work activity
• Site-specific method statements prepared and communicated to all operatives