Structural Collapse: What You Need to Know

Safety Measures

Structural collapse can occur in many different environments including small domestic sites, large commercial sites, and existing workplaces where structures are altered.

The collapse of structures, including buildings, may result in death or serious injury to employees and the public. In incidents where structures have collapsed this has been due to:

• Inclement weather, such as wind and rain
• The foundations or temporary supports of the structure being undermined
• Lateral supports of the structure being removed
• Overloading of partially built structures
• The structure receiving a heavy impact, or any combination of these and other factors.

In order to prevent structural collapse and to ensure that workers and members of the general public are not put at risk:

• Duty holders should monitor structures under their management and control for adequate stability.
• Structures should be able to resist extreme weather.
• If unstable or likely to become unstable, a suitable large exclusion zone should be established around the structure until rectification works are completed.
• Temporary bracing should be considered if the structure is incomplete or works may affect stability. Where lateral support from piers, cross-walls, floors and roof framework is missing or being altered, temporary bracing should also be used. A competent person should design and inspect the temporary bracing arrangements and verify in writing the stability of the structure when the bracing is first installed.
• To ensure work will not compromise stability, a competent person should be consulted before adding or making changes to or undertaking any structural work on the structure, or before excavating near the structure.
• Duty holders should ensure no part of the structure that provides structural support, including temporary bracing, is altered or removed unless specifically approved in writing from a competent person. If the competent person requires additional bracing to be installed to ensure stability, the changes should be made in the sequence specified by the competent person.