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- Work as part of a specialist team dismantling and removing materials and structures
- Can be physically demanding, dirty work, but there are opportunities to travel
- Develop a specialist set of skills and knowledge in a construction field
As a Demolition operative you'll work in one of the following roles: Labourer - preparing the site, putting up rails and safety screens, laying dust sheets and separating out re-usable building materials after demolition. Mattockman or Mattockwoman - stripping out fittings, removing doors and windows, dismantling roof structures. Topman or Topwoman - doing all the tasks of the others as well as cutting steel framework at heights, stripping off fragile roofs and instructing others in safe demolition practices. You'll use tools like hammer drills, oxyacetylene cutting equipment, plant machinery and explosives.
You might also use crane-mounted industrial magnets to recover metals, burners to incinerate materials, and put concrete slabs through crushers to make aggregate for road building. You'll also be trained in the safe removal of hazardous materials like asbestos and toxic chemicals.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
As a demolition operative, you'll work as a Labourer, Mattockman/Mattockwoman, or Topman/Topwoman. If you're a labourer, you'll:
- Prepare the site
- Put up rails and safety screens
- Lay dust sheets
- Separate out re-usable building materials after demolition
If you're a Mattockman or Mattockwoman, you'll:
- Strip out fittings
- Remove doors and windows
- Dismantle roof structures
If you're a Topman or Topwoman, you'll do all the tasks of the others as well as:
- Cutting steel framework at heights
- Stripping off fragile roofs
- Instructing others in safe demolition practices
You'll use tools like hammer drills, oxyacetylene cutting equipment, plant machinery and explosives.
You might also use crane-mounted industrial magnets to recover metals, burners to incinerate materials, and put concrete slabs through crushers to make aggregate for road building. You'll also be trained in the safe removal of hazardous materials like asbestos and toxic chemicals.
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work in all weather conditions, and the work can be dirty and dusty. You'll always wear protective clothing on site. You might use specialist equipment, like breathing apparatus when removing asbestos, or a safety harness when working at height. The work is physically demanding. You'll travel from site to site and may stay overnight away from home.
You'll need
This role requires the ability to follow spoken and written instructions, practical skills and good team working skills.
There are no set entry requirements, but you'll need to be at least 18 years old.
You could apply for jobs directly with demolition contractors. Experience in general construction, as a labourer, plant operator or tradesperson, might be helpful when applying for this role.
You could do a college course in Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills, Level 2 Diploma in Construction Operations or Level 3 Diploma in Demolition which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.
You may also be able to start by doing a demolition operative intermediate apprenticeship. If you're under 18, you'll start as a general construction plant operative, then move into demolition training once you reach 18.
A Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives (CCDO) card is usually required to work on site. Your employer will help you with this.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could progress into site supervision and management and with further training, you could specialise in a particular demolition method, like explosives.