Chimney Removal — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for demolishing a brick chimney stack above a roof and removing the internal chimney breast, including roof access, top-down hand demolition, debris control and making good the roof.
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Chimney removal is a small job with big consequences. The work happens at height on a pitched roof, the stack is often old and loosely bonded, and a single dropped brick can kill someone below. Removing a chimney is High Risk Construction Work because there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres, and because the stack and breast are part of the structure: removing the breast while leaving the stack, or removing part of a chimney that supports joists or a wall, requires temporary support to prevent collapse. Older chimneys may also have asbestos cement flue pipes, flashings or backing boards. A SWMS is required.
The stack must come down from the top by hand, a course or two at a time, never by pulling or pushing it over. Bricks and rubble go down a debris chute into a skip or are lowered in buckets; they are never thrown or dropped down the flue, which can blow out the fireplace or overload a hearth. Soot contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and is a known cancer hazard, so flues should be swept or sealed and dust controlled. Lead flashings must be handled with gloves and good hygiene.
Where the internal breast is being removed, get an engineer or competent person to confirm how any remaining stack, roof framing or floor joists are supported. A partial removal that leaves the stack in the roof space hanging off nothing is a well-known cause of collapse.
Edge protection or scaffolding is the expected control for roof work. Scaffolding where a person or object could fall more than 4 metres must be erected by a licensed scaffolder. Work from a harness on its own is a lower-order control and must be justified.
Customise this template with the chimney height above the roof, the roof pitch and material, the access and fall protection method, whether the internal breast is being removed and the support design, any asbestos register findings, the debris chute and skip location, and how the roof penetration will be weatherproofed.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- •Demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or related to its physical integrity
- •Work that involves, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos
- •Structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
Risk Assessment
1.Inspection and planning
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unstable stack collapses during work | High | Inspect the stack from a safe position for cracking, lean and loose mortar. If unstable, get engineering advice and brace before anyone works next to it. | Moderate | Supervisor |
| Asbestos in flue pipes, flashings or backing boards | High | Check the asbestos register or have suspect materials sampled. Licensed removalist removes asbestos before demolition. | Low | Supervisor |
2.Roof access and fall protection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from roof edge or ladder | Catastrophic | Perimeter scaffold or roof edge protection installed before work. Access by scaffold stair or ladder secured top and bottom, extending 1 m above the landing. Licensed scaffolder where a fall of more than 4 m is possible. | Low | Scaffolder / Supervisor |
| Fall through brittle roof sheets or broken tiles | High | Working platform around the stack built on the roof framing. No standing on fibre cement or skylight sheets. Crawl boards where needed. | Low | Supervisor |
3.Protecting the interior and setting up debris control
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debris falling down the flue into the house | High | Seal the fireplace opening from inside. Bag soot from the hearth. Do not drop bricks down the flue. | Low | Labourer |
| Falling debris strikes people below | Catastrophic | Enclosed debris chute from platform into skip. Exclusion zone below the work area. Toe boards and catch screens on the scaffold. | Low | Supervisor |
4.Top-down hand demolition of the stack
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack or large section toppling | Catastrophic | Remove one or two courses at a time with hand tools working from the top down. Never undercut or pull the stack. Stop in winds strong enough to destabilise the stack or blow dust and debris. | Moderate | Demolition Worker |
| Soot and brick dust inhalation | High | Lightly wet the work as you go. P2 respirator and coveralls. Wash hands and face before eating. | Low | Demolition Worker |
| Manual handling of bricks and capping stones | Moderate | Break capping stones into manageable pieces or lower by hoist. Fill buckets to a weight one person can handle safely. | Low | Demolition Worker |
5.Removing the internal chimney breast
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collapse of remaining stack or framing after breast removal | Catastrophic | Engineer or competent person specifies temporary propping and permanent support. Props installed before any breast masonry is removed. Do not remove the breast while the stack above remains without confirmed support. | Low | Engineer / Supervisor |
| Dust spreading through the house | Moderate | Plastic sheeting to isolate the room. HEPA vacuum for clean-up. | Low | Labourer |
6.Making good the roof and clean-up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water entry through open roof penetration | Moderate | Temporary weatherproof cover at the end of each day. Roof plumber or tiler makes good with flashing or matching cladding. | Low | Supervisor / Roofer |
| Lead exposure from old flashings | Moderate | Wear gloves when handling lead. Wash hands before eating. Dispose of lead to a metal recycler. | Low | Roofer |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.