Telecommunications Tower Decommissioning SWMS

Telecommunications tower decommissioning involves the controlled dismantling or demolition of lattice, monopole or guyed structures, often exceeding 30 metres, that have reached end-of-life or are being relocated for network rationalisation. The work combines high-risk construction work, energised electrical isolation, residual radiofrequency (RF) exposure from adjacent live carriers, legacy hazardous materials (lead-based paints, asbestos-containing concrete pads and waveguide gaskets) and complex crane-assisted de-rigging of antennas, feeders and structural sections. Under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.3 and Part 8, demolition of a structure greater than 6 metres, work at heights above 2 metres, and disturbance of asbestos all independently trigger a mandatory Safe Work Method Statement before work commences. The interaction of these triggers, combined with ARPANSA RPS S-1 RF exposure limits and the engineered demolition plan required for T4 specialist licensees, makes this SWMS a non-negotiable pre-start document for principal contractors and demolition PCBUs.

Hazards identified

7 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Elimination — Remove all live carrier services, power feeds and lighting circuits via permit-controlled isolation before any climbing or cutting commences on the structure.
2. 2Elimination — Where feasible, fell the entire tower in a single engineered drop using exclusion zones rather than piecemeal disassembly to remove working-at-height exposure.
3. 3Substitution — Replace oxy-fuel cutting with cold-cut hydraulic shears on lead-painted members to substitute fume generation with mechanical separation and captured swarf.
4. 4Substitution — Substitute manual rigger climbs with mobile elevating work platforms or man-baskets on the primary crane where reach and geometry allow safe access.
5. 5Engineering — Implement engineered lift study, certified rigging plan and tag-line control for each section per AS 2550.1 with exclusion zones marked and physically barricaded.
6. 6Engineering — Erect Class H asbestos enclosures around concrete footing breakouts with HEPA negative-pressure extraction per the licensed asbestos removal control plan.
7. 7Administrative — Issue RF Safety Officer permits with carrier shutdown confirmations, personal RF dosimeters and ARPANSA RPS S-1 compliant exclusion mapping before each shift.
8. 8Administrative — Conduct daily pre-start briefings using this SWMS, verify T4 demolition licence currency, and log sign-on with task-specific competency evidence retained for five years.
9. 9PPE — Issue full-body fall arrest harnesses with twin-tail lanyards rated to AS/NZS 1891.1, rescue kits at each work level, and inspected anchor points.
10. 10PPE — Provide P3 respiratory protection, lead-rated coveralls, cut-5 gloves, arc-rated outer layer and hearing protection sized and fit-tested per AS/NZS 1715.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

On a regional carrier site involving a 45-metre guyed lattice tower scheduled for full decommissioning, the demolition supervisor opens the pre-start brief by walking the four-person rigging crew, the crane operator, the dogman and the licensed asbestos removalist through this SWMS at the site office at 0630. The RF Safety Officer confirms in writing that all three co-located carriers have powered down between 0600 and 1800 and presents the dosimeter handout sheet. The supervisor highlights hazard line three — falls during antenna de-rigging — and the crew confirms twin-tail lanyards, rescue kit at the 30-metre platform, and certified anchor points already inspected that morning. During the brief, a rigger raises that the original asbestos register flagged only the footing pad, but he has identified suspect gasket material at the waveguide penetration. The supervisor pauses the task, references the administrative control requiring a stop-work for new asbestos finds, and escalates to the licensed removalist who erects a Class H mini-enclosure before cutting resumes. Each worker signs the SWMS sign-on register, RF dosimeters are clipped on, and the engineered lift study for the head-frame removal is tabled with the crane operator confirming the 8-tonne pick is within the 65 percent duty chart. The SWMS is left on the site noticeboard and reviewed again at the post-lunch toolbox after weather conditions change.

Related legislation

• WHS Act 2011 (model)
• WHS Regulation 2025
• AS/NZS 3000 — Electrical installations

Frequently asked questions