Pre-Demolition

Before work commences on any new project location, a site survey must be performed by a qualified person(s), to determine the hazards associated with the work to be done during construction. These assessments or surveys must be recorded and kept on site.

The initial site survey / assessment may take place in 3 steps:

1. Conduct an initial site survey for hazardous materials such as oil tanks, septic tanks, soap tanks, asbestos, lead paint and other hazardous material which may have accumulated over the years. These assessments should be performed by a qualified hazardous assessment contractor
   • The survey must be written, signed and kept available on site.
2. Phone: BC One Call at least 3 days in advance of the work starting, to initiate the locate request for all utility services such as telephone, electricity, and gas both underground and above ground, including high voltage power.

BC One Call: Toll Free 1.800.474.6886 or cellular *6886 or local in Vancouver 604.257.1940

This will start the process to locate the services from TELUS, Terasen, and BC Hydro. If you have difficulty locating the utility lines, call and ask them to attend and locate the line(s) for you or hire a contractor to locate the services.

3. Phone or visit the municipality or city to apply for a demolition permit and apply to have water and sewer connections turned off or removed.

Once the utility services have been located, call each  of  the utilities to  have  them removed from the site to the satisfaction of the utility owner.

IMPORTANT

When you see the services have been disconnected and before starting work on the site:

• VERIFY with the utility supervisor that it is ok to start the demolition, land clearing or excavation, and that the utility service is no longer a hazard to workers and residents. Do not rely on what you see or think may have happened.

• VERIFY, directly with a phone call to each of the area supervisors for each utility provider, then document the conversation in your site diary before starting work.