Challenges of Soft Strip Demolition in the UK

Challenges of Soft Strip Demolition in the UK

Soft strip demolition can be challenging in the UK, as several rules and regulations must be followed. For example, knowledge about asbestos removal from old houses, proper waste removal, and worker safety measures are necessary in the UK.

Soft strip demolition is the best sustainable way to renovate your old building. However, understanding its challenges can help you plan better for soft strip demolition.

The following discussion shall focus on soft strip demolition's challenges or cons. You'll learn the challenging phases of the soft strip process that might hinder the workflow.

Removal of chemicals

Try to identify harmful chemicals in your old building. As with asbestos, the identification of harmful chemicals is necessary. It is also your moral responsibility to provide a safe work environment for your workers. So, a site free of hazardous elements is a perfect site for them to work in.

However, make sure you have proper safety measures, which are necessary to remove hazardous chemicals from the site safely. Otherwise, it can be challenging for the soft strip demolition contractor to do this.

Asbestos removal

Asbestos has been used in UK buildings as insulation due to its excellent heat-resistant capability. However, the material is considered harmful as it can cause lung disease, cancer, etc.

Removal of asbestos from old houses requires expertise and a licence from the Health and Safety Executives in the UK. It can be a bit challenging to follow all the required guidelines and safety guidelines if you don’t have proper knowledge about them.

Dust pollution

Dust pollution is a challenge of the soft strip demolition process. During the removal of inner walls or any concrete elements, a significant number of dust particles may cause health issues.

If proper dust control measures are not taken then surrounding neighbourhoods can also be disturbed. Controlling dust can be a challenging factor if your soft strip demolition process is happening on a large scale. Before starting the soft strip demolition process, you should discuss with the contractor to plan for controlling the spread of dust particles.

Sound pollution

Soft strip demolition processes involve machinery that can produce excessive noise. For example, jackhammers, drill machines, excavators, etc., produce sufficient noise to be considered noise pollution.

Neighbours can object to the soft strip demolition work if too much noise is produced. You should discuss with your soft strip demolition contractor to adopt measures and tools to reduce sound pollution. You can also ask them to work when sound pollution will have less impact on neighbours.

Worker’s safety

Workers' safety during the demolition process is paramount in the UK. The contractor needs to ensure that the workers use the necessary protective masks and equipment. Dust particles from wood, silica, or asbestos can significantly harm workers, so protective masks are essential.

The Health and Safety Executives in the UK provide guidance on protecting workers in the workplace. They suggest providing workers with training to ensure their safety and preparing risk assessment reports to manage risk factors.

It is also your moral duty to ensure no workers are harmed during the soft strip demolition process. You should consult with your contractor and check for protective equipment.

Efficient tools for soft strip demolition

You should check with the contractor if modern equipment is used for soft strip demolition that produces less noise and dust. These equipment are costly; hence, not all contractors can use advanced equipment.

Finding a demolition contractor who follows all the guidelines and uses advanced equipment can be a challenging task. However, you should always choose a contractor whose practices are in line with the latest rules and regulations and who uses efficient tools.

Waste removal

Waste removal is necessary and challenging after the soft strip demolition process. Removing asbestos waste requires experts. On the other hand, categorising waste according to its nature and carrying it to a specific place for dumping require knowledge of waste removal.

The UK Environment Agency suggests that your waste is your responsibility, meaning you must remove your construction waste accordingly.

Make sure that your contractor offers a waste removal facility. If you do not clear waste off the site, you could face a large fine or even a jail term.

Conclusion

The challenges of soft strip demolition are of different types and nature. Finding an efficient contractor with waste removal or modern machinery expertise can be challenging.

However, it is your responsibility to reduce noise and dust pollution and manage waste in the post-demolition process.

Strip Out Company can take care of all the challenges that you might face during the process of soft strip demolition. We utilise modern equipment to reduce waste, dust and noise. We also focus on safety aspects during the soft strip demolition process.