How to Write a Method Statement for Demolition Work

Why demolition method statements need more detail than most

Demolition work sits in a different risk category to most site activities. The structure you're taking down may be weakened, unpredictable, and full of materials that weren't properly recorded when it was built. A vague method statement that just says "demolition by hand" or "mechanical demolition" isn't good enough — and if something goes wrong, it won't protect you either.

This guide walks through exactly what a demolition method statement needs to contain, in plain language, so you can write one that's actually useful on site and that will stand up to scrutiny from a principal contractor, CDM coordinator or HSE inspector.

What a demolition method statement must cover

There's no single mandatory template, but the following sections are expected as standard on any notifiable project and are good practice even on smaller jobs.

1. Project and scope description

Start with the basics: what's being demolished, where it is, who's doing the work, and what the scope includes. Be specific. "Demolition of existing two-storey brick outbuilding, including removal of all arisings" is better than "demolish old building." Include the address, site contact, and the name of the contractor carrying out the works.

2. Pre-demolition survey and structural information

This is non-negotiable. Before any work starts, you need a pre-demolition survey — ideally a refurbishment and demolition (R&D) survey — to identify the structural make-up and any hazardous materials present. Reference this survey in your method statement and note who carried it out and when.

Specifically flag:

• Any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and whether they've been removed or need to be before demolition begins
• Structural elements that are load-bearing or interdependent
• Any basements, voids, or unknown foundations
• Services still live in or near the structure (gas, electric, water, telecoms)

If asbestos removal hasn't happened yet, your method statement must reflect that demolition cannot proceed until it's complete and a clearance certificate has been issued.

3. Sequence of works

This is the heart of the method statement. Describe the exact order in which the demolition will happen, floor by floor or element by element. Wrong sequencing is one of the most common causes of structural collapse during demolition — removing a wall that's actually holding something else up.

A typical sequence for a two-storey masonry building might be:

1. Disconnect and cap all services
2. Remove roof coverings and internal linings by hand
3. Remove roof structure
4. Take down first floor walls (working from top down)
5. Remove first floor structure
6. Take down ground floor walls
7. Break up and remove floor slabs
8. Excavate and remove foundations if required

For mechanical demolition using an excavator or high-reach machine, note the reach required, the position of the machine, and how it will be repositioned safely as the work progresses.

4. Plant and equipment

List all plant that will be used: excavators, breakers, cherry pickers, crushers, lorries. For each piece of equipment, state who is operating it and confirm they hold the relevant certification (CPCS, NPORS, or equivalent). Note inspection requirements — all lifting equipment and excavators must have current thorough examination certificates.

5. Exclusion zones and site set-up

State the exclusion zone distances and how they will be enforced. During mechanical demolition, debris can travel a significant distance — a minimum exclusion zone is typically calculated at 1.5 times the height of the structure being demolished, though this varies with method.

Include:

• How the zone will be marked (Heras fencing, barriers, signage)
• Who controls access to the zone
• Whether any public areas, footpaths or roads are affected and what diversions or hoarding are in place
• Neighbour and third-party notifications if required

6. Dust and noise controls

Demolition generates significant dust, including silica dust from brick and concrete — a serious respiratory hazard. Your method statement should cover:

• Damping down with water before and during breaking work
• RPE requirements (at minimum FFP3 masks for silica-generating tasks)
• Restricted working hours if in a noise-sensitive area
• Any local authority environmental conditions attached to the demolition notice

7. Waste management and hazardous materials disposal

Identify how arisings will be separated, stored and removed. Concrete, timber, metals and inert rubble all have different disposal routes. Any hazardous waste — including residual asbestos, lead paint waste, or contaminated material — must be consigned separately with the correct waste transfer documentation. Name the licensed waste carrier you'll be using.

8. Emergency procedures

Describe what happens if something goes wrong. This means:

• Nearest A&E hospital and route from site
• Assembly point location
• Who is the first aider and where the first aid kit is kept
• What to do if an unexpected collapse or partial collapse occurs
• Who has authority to stop the works

9. PPE requirements

List the minimum PPE for everyone on site during demolition: hard hat, hi-vis, safety boots (steel toe and midsole), gloves, and safety glasses as standard. Add hearing protection for prolonged exposure to breaking work, and RPE where dust is generated.

Common mistakes that get demolition method statements rejected

• No reference to a structural survey. Stating you'll "assess on site" isn't good enough.
• Asbestos not addressed. If there's any chance of ACMs, this must be dealt with explicitly.
• Generic sequences. Copying a template without tailoring it to the actual structure and site layout is obvious and undermines the document's credibility.
• Missing plant certifications. Listing an excavator without confirming current thorough examination is a common gap.
• No named individuals. A good method statement names who is responsible for each stage, not just "the operative."

Turning site photos into a demolition method statement

One of the practical challenges with demolition is capturing what's actually there before work starts. Taking photos of the structure from multiple angles, the surrounding area, existing hazards and the site set-up gives you the evidence base to write an accurate method statement — and gives you a contemporaneous record if anything is disputed later.

If you're finding the write-up itself is eating into your day, Safety Parrot lets you photograph the site and generate structured safety documents including method statements in a matter of minutes — useful when you're managing several jobs and need something solid without starting from a blank page every time.

A note on CDM and notifiable projects

If the demolition project is notifiable under CDM 2015 (more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeding 500 person-days), the method statement will need to be reviewed by the principal designer and principal contractor, and form part of the construction phase plan. Even for smaller jobs below that threshold, a method statement is still strongly recommended and may be required by your principal contractor or insurer.

Keep a signed and dated copy on site throughout the demolition works. If your method changes — because you discover something unexpected, or plant is substituted — update the document, re-brief the team, and keep a record of the revision.