Demolition · United States

JHA for interior demolition

By SiteSortedBuilt from OSHA standards and guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for interior demolition before you start.

A JHA breaks the job into steps, lists the hazards in each step and the controls that protect the crew, and the crew signs it. The main hazards are silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, disturbing asbestos, electric shock from live wiring and lead paint dust and fumes.

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JHA example: interior demolition

This is a complete JHA for interior demolition, with 9 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Internal strip-out · Demolition · Example

Document JHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Check the asbestos survey and remove any asbestos first	Disturbing asbestos	Critical	Treat insulation, surfacing and resilient flooring in buildings built before 1981 as asbestos unless testing shows otherwise, and get the owner's asbestos survey before you start. Elimination Seal off the work area and keep everyone else out. Engineering (guarding) If asbestos must be disturbed, keep it wet, use hand tools not power tools, and clean up with a HEPA vacuum. Engineering Follow 29 CFR 1926.1101: competent person, work class, regulated area and exposure monitoring. Administrative Commercial renovation and any demolition need a NESHAP asbestos inspection first, and demolition needs written notice to the state or EPA 10 working days before work starts (40 CFR 61 Subpart M). Administrative Roofing felts, cement shingles and siding, roof coatings and old panel backboards can also contain asbestos. Test them or treat them as asbestos; asbestos roofing is removed intact with hand tools by trained workers (29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(8)). Administrative Stop work straight away if you find suspect asbestos. Do not touch it and tell your supervisor. Administrative Wear a fit-tested NIOSH-approved respirator suited to the work class, and disposable coveralls. PPE	Medium
2	Check for lead paint and other hazardous materials before work starts	Lead paint dust and fumes Hazardous chemicals	High	Test old paint for lead before you sand, scrape, cut or heat it. Elimination Use wet scraping, chemical strippers or shrouded tools with extraction instead of dry sanding. Never burn off lead paint with an open flame. Substitution Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and keep residents, children and pets out. Engineering (guarding) Clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Engineering In homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 (such as child care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms), work that disturbs more than 6 sq ft inside or 20 sq ft outside is done by an EPA Lead-Safe Certified firm with a certified renovator (RRP rule). Administrative Do an initial lead exposure assessment and protect workers as if over the limit until results are in. Over 50 micrograms per cubic meter, follow a written lead compliance program (29 CFR 1926.62(d), (e)). Administrative Never torch painted surfaces, keep heat guns below 1,100 degrees F, and use sanders, grinders or planers only with a shroud and HEPA vacuum attachment (40 CFR 745.85(a)(3)). Administrative Provide a clean change area and handwashing, and keep food, drink and tobacco out of the work area (29 CFR 1926.62(i)). Administrative Wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking. Change out of dusty clothes before going home. Administrative Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator with N100 or P100 filters, disposable coveralls and gloves. PPE Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Substitution Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Engineering Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and labels before use, following OSHA Hazard Communication. Administrative Keep chemicals in labeled containers. Never pour them into drink bottles. Administrative Store chemicals away from heat, food and drink, and keep products that react with each other apart. Administrative Have eye wash and a spill kit nearby, and wash hands before eating. Administrative Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles as listed on the SDS. PPE Use a respirator with the right cartridge if the SDS calls for one. PPE	Medium
3	Isolate and cap power, gas and water to the area, and confirm they are dead	Electric shock from live wiring Gas and fuel lines	Critical	Isolate the power before any work. Do not work live. Elimination Lock out and tag the disconnecting means with your own personal lock and tag so the circuit cannot be energized (29 CFR 1926.417). Engineering (guarding) Test before you touch: prove dead at the point of work with a tested voltage tester. Engineering Only qualified persons work on or near exposed energized parts. Administrative Check for back feeds from solar, batteries and generators that can keep a circuit live after the main switch is off. Administrative If energized work cannot be avoided, use an energized work permit, a safety observer and insulated tools, following NFPA 70E. Administrative Wear insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing and a face shield when testing or working near live parts. PPE Isolate and purge the line before work, with the owner's approval. Elimination Lock off and tag the isolation valve. Engineering (guarding) Check for leaks with a gas detector before and during work, and ventilate the area. Engineering Only licensed gas fitters work on gas lines. Administrative Remove ignition sources: no smoking, no hot work and no sparking tools near the line. Administrative Know where the shut-off valve is and what to do if a leak happens. Administrative Wear safety glasses and gloves, and keep a fire extinguisher close by. PPE	Medium
4	Seal the area from occupants, set up dust control and keep exits clear	Working in an occupied home or building General dust Fire and emergencies	High	Plan noisy, dusty or risky work for when the building is empty. Elimination Close off the work area with barriers, plastic sheeting or locked doors, and put up signs. Engineering (guarding) Keep fire exits and paths clear at all times. Administrative Tell occupants before you turn off power, water or gas, and before noisy or dusty work. Administrative Lock away tools, chemicals and materials each day, out of reach of children. Administrative Use low-dust products, such as dust-reduced or pre-mixed compounds. Substitution Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting in occupied buildings. Engineering (guarding) Use tools with dust extraction and a vacuum for clean up. Engineering Lightly mist the area with water to keep dust down, away from anything electrical. Engineering Never dry sweep or blow dust off with compressed air. Administrative Provide fire extinguishers suited to the site, checked and easy to reach. Engineering Keep exits and escape routes clear and signed. Engineering Have a site emergency plan: alarm, exits, assembly point and emergency contacts. Administrative Keep a stocked first aid kit and at least one trained first aider on site. Administrative Know the site address and how emergency services get in. Call 911. Administrative	Medium
5	Confirm which walls are load bearing and leave them alone without an engineer design	Structural collapse during alterations	High	Get an engineer to check before removing any wall, beam, post or bracing that may be load-bearing. Elimination Keep everyone clear of the area under and next to the work. Engineering (guarding) Install temporary props, needles or shoring as designed before removing any support. Engineering Follow the engineer's sequence. Do not change it without approval. Administrative Check props daily. Do not remove them until the permanent support is in and approved. Administrative Wear a hard hat and safety boots. PPE	Medium
6	Strip fittings and linings from the top down, using a platform ladder or mobile scaffold for ceilings	Falling tools and materials Cuts from sharp edges Falling from a ladder	High	Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Engineering (guarding) Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Engineering Tether hand tools when working at height. Engineering Keep platforms tidy. Do not stack materials near edges or above toe board height. Administrative Deburr or cover sharp edges, and fit edge protectors on exposed sheet metal. Engineering Use knives with retractable or self-retracting blades. Engineering Cut away from your body and keep your other hand clear. Administrative Put used blades in a blade bin or sharps container. Administrative Use two people to handle large sheets of metal or glass. Administrative Use a platform ladder, mobile scaffold or aerial lift for longer jobs instead of a straight ladder. Substitution Use Type I, IA or IAA ladders in good condition. Tag and remove any damaged ladder. Engineering Set extension ladders at a 4 to 1 angle on firm, level ground, secured, and reaching 3 feet above the landing. Engineering Use ladders only for short, light work. Do not carry heavy or awkward loads up a ladder. Administrative Keep three points of contact and your belt buckle between the stiles. Do not overreach. Administrative	Medium
7	Cut or break materials with dust extraction	Angle grinder injuries Loud noise Hand-arm and whole-body vibration Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles	Critical	Use a guarded saw or a different tool where you can. Substitution Keep the guard on and use the side handle. Never remove the guard. Engineering Use the right disc for the job, rated for the grinder's speed. Check it for cracks first. Administrative Only trained people change discs, with the grinder unplugged or the battery out. Administrative Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitution Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Engineering (guarding) Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Engineering Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Administrative Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Substitution Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Engineering Limit trigger time on high-vibration tools and rotate workers. Administrative Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Administrative Order materials cut to size, or use low-dust methods such as score and snap or a block splitter. Substitution Cut outdoors or in a separate area, with other people well away and upwind. Engineering (guarding) Use wet cutting or on-tool dust collection with a HEPA vacuum, as set out in Table 1 of 29 CFR 1926.1153. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Administrative Have a written exposure control plan and a competent person for silica (29 CFR 1926.1153). Administrative Workers who must wear a respirator 30 or more days a year get a free medical exam every 3 years (29 CFR 1926.1153(h)). Administrative	Medium
8	Watch for needles, droppings and mould in wall and ceiling cavities	Needles and sharps Mold and droppings	Medium	Use tongs or a pick-up tool. Never pick up needles by hand. Engineering Put needles in a hard sharps container with a lid. Engineering Look before you reach. Use a flashlight to check ceilings, cavities and trash. Administrative If you are stuck, wash the area with soap and water and see a doctor straight away. Administrative Wear puncture-resistant gloves and safety boots. PPE Fix the water leak and dry the area before removing mold. Elimination Seal off the area with plastic sheeting and keep occupants out. Engineering (guarding) Clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Engineering Bag moldy material on site and remove it promptly. Administrative Wash hands and face before eating and at the end of each shift. Administrative Wear an N95 (or better) respirator, gloves, goggles and disposable coveralls. PPE	Low
9	Load waste into the dumpster by hand or chute, keeping walkways clear	Lifting and carrying heavy loads Poor housekeeping and waste	High	Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Elimination Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitution Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Engineering Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Administrative Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Elimination Put dumpsters and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE	Medium

PPE

Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413)Hard hat (ANSI Z89.1)Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)N95 respiratorCut-resistant glovesHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges)CoverallsWork glovesChemical-resistant glovesSafety goggles (ANSI Z87.1)Face shield (ANSI Z87.1)

Plant and equipment

Hand toolsAngle grinderJackhammerHEPA vacuumTrailer

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aid / cpr person for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this JHA.

Free JHA template for interior demolition

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this JHA

Pre-start checklist for interior demolition

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

JHA read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Ladder inspected, secured and extending 3 ft above the landing
Asbestos register or survey checked for the work area
Water suppression or on-tool extraction fitted; respirators fit tested
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
First aid / CPR person, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), hard hat (ANSI Z89.1), safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), N95 respirator

The safe sequence of work

Check the asbestos survey and remove any asbestos first
Check for lead paint and other hazardous materials before work starts
Isolate and cap power, gas and water to the area, and confirm they are dead
Seal the area from occupants, set up dust control and keep exits clear
Confirm which walls are load bearing and leave them alone without an engineer design
Strip fittings and linings from the top down, using a platform ladder or mobile scaffold for ceilings
Cut or break materials with dust extraction
Watch for needles, droppings and mould in wall and ceiling cavities
Load waste into the dumpster by hand or chute, keeping walkways clear

Hazards to watch on interior demolition

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 8Needles and sharpsUsed syringes or sharp objects hidden in ceilings, wall cavities, trash or soil stab workers and can pass on infection.

Step 8Mold and droppingsWater-damaged buildings, bird and rat droppings and dead animals hold mold and germs that cause breathing problems and infections.

Step 2Lead paint dust and fumesHomes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 may have lead paint. Sanding, scraping or heating it releases dust that poisons workers and children.

Step 4Fire and emergenciesA fire, injury or other emergency happens and workers cannot get out, raise the alarm or get first aid in time.

Step 7Angle grinder injuriesThe disc shatters, binds or kicks back, causing deep cuts to legs and hands or eye injuries.

Step 3Gas and fuel linesDamaging or opening a gas or fuel line causes a leak, fire or explosion.

Highest risk on interior demolition: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United States 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatality becomes unlikely and serious injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone work 6 feet or more above a lower level?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a skylight, fiberglass panel or other fragile roofing?
Will you use a scaffold or rolling tower?
Will you use an aerial lift (scissor lift or boom lift)?

Why JHAs get rejected

General contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

Generic steps such as "work safely" or "use PPE" with no task-specific hazards or controls.
No OSHA standards referenced for the hazards that have them, such as fall protection, ladders, scaffolds or silica.
No competent person named for fall protection, excavation, scaffolds or silica where those hazards exist.
Equipment listed without inspection requirements, and no training listed for the people using it.
Respirators listed with no respiratory protection program, medical clearance or fit test.
Controls rely only on PPE when engineering controls such as guardrails, wet cutting or extraction are feasible.
No crew sign-off, or no date and revision when the job has changed.

Questions

Do I need a JHA for interior demolition?

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for interior demolition before you start.

Who signs the JHA?

The supervisor or competent person who prepared it signs, and every crew member signs to show they were trained on the hazards and controls before the job starts. Many general contractors also sign to accept it.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this JHA on site during the job, and keep it with the training and inspection records for at least 1 year after the job (longer if your state plan or general contractor requires it). OSHA does not set a retention period for JHAs themselves.

What PPE is needed for interior demolition?

Usually Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), Hard hat (ANSI Z89.1), Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), N95 respirator, Cut-resistant gloves, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges), Coveralls, Work gloves, Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1), Face shield (ANSI Z87.1). The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Blank JHA template: free JHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · Canada (FLHA)