Demolition Method Statement Example: What to Include and Why
A demolition method statement is one of the most scrutinised documents in UK construction. Get it wrong and you risk enforcement action, project delays, or — far worse — a serious injury. This guide walks through what a compliant demolition method statement looks like in practice, so you can write one that actually holds up on site.
Why You Need a Method Statement for Demolition
Demolition almost always falls under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). It is notifiable to the HSE when it lasts longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeds 500 person-days. Even where notification is not required, CDM 2015 still applies — and with it, the duty to plan, manage and monitor work so it is carried out without risks to health and safety.
A method statement is not a standalone legal requirement in name, but it is the practical vehicle through which you demonstrate that risk has been planned out. It sits alongside your risk assessment (required under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999) to form a full RAMS. On a notifiable project, it feeds into the Construction Phase Plan.
The Core Sections of a Demolition Method Statement
1. Project and Site Information
Start with the basics: site address, structure type and size, the principal contractor and any specialist subcontractors, dates of work, and the name of the competent person overseeing demolition. This is not box-filling — it anchors every instruction that follows to a specific, real place and team.
2. Description of the Structure
Describe what is being demolished: construction method (brick, steel frame, reinforced concrete, timber), approximate age, number of storeys, and condition. Note any structural surveys or pre-demolition investigations that have been carried out. An older building may conceal asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) — see below.
3. Sequence of Work
This is the heart of the method statement. Demolition must be sequenced to avoid premature or uncontrolled collapse. Work typically proceeds top-down, removing materials in the reverse order of construction. Set out each stage clearly:
- Soft strip (removing fixtures, fittings, services)
- ACM removal by a licensed contractor, if required
- Disconnection and isolation of all services (gas, electricity, water, drainage)
- Structural demolition by bay, floor or section
- Waste segregation, loading and removal
Never describe a sequence you do not intend to follow. Inspectors and principal contractors read these documents closely.
4. Plant and Equipment
List every item: excavator with demolition attachment, high-reach machine, mobile elevated work platform, hand-arm tools, and so on. Include operator competency requirements — for example, Plant Operator cards (CPCS) where applicable.
5. Hazard Identification and Controls
Apply the hierarchy of control — eliminate first, PPE last.
| Hazard | Control Measures |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled collapse | Structural engineer's sequence; propping where required |
| Asbestos | R&D survey; licensed removal before structural work begins |
| Falling materials | Exclusion zones, debris fans, hoarding, spotters |
| Dust (silica, general) | Suppress with water; RPE (FFP3 minimum) where residual exposure remains — COSHH 2002 |
| Noise and vibration | Quieter methods where feasible; HAV exposure records; hearing protection zones |
| Work at height | Avoid where possible; use plant rather than manual methods; Work at Height Regulations 2005 |
| Services (live or hidden) | Service drawings; CAT scan before any breaking; isolation certificates |
6. Asbestos
Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 may contain ACMs. A Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) survey — not just a management survey — is required before demolition begins. If licensable ACMs are present, only a HSE-licensed asbestos contractor can remove them. Reference this clearly in your method statement and attach the survey report.
7. Exclusion Zones and Public Safety
Define the exclusion zone around the demolition footprint. State how it will be enforced (hoarding, barriers, banksmen). If the site is adjacent to a public highway or footpath, you may need a licence from the local authority and possibly a structural engineer's report on adjacent buildings.
8. Emergency Arrangements
Include the site emergency contact, nearest A&E address, muster point, and what to do in the event of an unexpected find (e.g. a suspected unexploded ordnance, a hidden void, or a structural failure). A brief rescue plan for any work at height or in confined spaces is expected.
9. Welfare and Environmental Controls
Confirm welfare facilities are in place before work starts (CDM 2015, Schedule 2). Note dust and noise controls required by any planning conditions or Environmental Permit. Identify how waste will be classified, segregated and disposed of under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and relevant waste duty of care regulations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing a generic method statement and changing only the address
- Failing to update the document when site conditions change
- Omitting the asbestos survey reference or assuming a previous survey is sufficient
- Describing plant that is not actually available on site
- Leaving controls vague ("appropriate PPE will be worn" says nothing useful)
Who Should Write and Sign It
The method statement should be written by someone with genuine demolition competence — typically a contracts manager, a demolition engineer, or a qualified H&S adviser who has walked the site. It must be reviewed and signed off before work starts, communicated to all operatives in a site briefing, and kept readily available on site throughout the project.
A good demolition method statement is a working document, not a filing exercise. The sequence you write on paper should be the sequence your team follows on the ground.