Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Demolition operatives demolish and dismantle buildings and other structures. All demolition is planned and operatives work to a structured programme. The work involves assessing the structure and preparing the site to make sure it can be demolished safely.

While some small jobs can be accomplished with manual tools, larger buildings will require the use of machinery, usually this will mean diggers, wrecking balls and jackhammers. In the case of the largest buildings explosive demolition operators will be necessary.

Operating this machinery requires a higher level of training and competency, the health and safety hasards in their operation are great. The planning of the demolition must be precise to ensure accidents do not occur, especially when bringing down large buildings.

Demolition work is potentially hasardous so demolition operatives must be aware of the health and safety law, rules and regulations that govern their work. They must also wear safety equipment such as protective footwear, goggles, gloves, respirators and ear defenders.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Learn and follow safety regulations.
• Take actions to avoid potential hasards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
• Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldosers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
• Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
• Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
• Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
• Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
• Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
• Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
• Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Key Certifications are crucial to operating much of the machinery involved in demolition and specific training and certification will be required as Machinery Demolition operative HSA Construction guidelines. Experience of working on a construction site will also be important before developing to operate heavy machinery. You can review roles and training in our Construction Sector Profile.

Key Skill Certs & Knowledge 

Manual Handling refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in back injury

Road Safety Authority Guide to Driving For work

Construction Health & Safety First Aid

Safepass Safe Pass is a mandatory one-day health and safety awareness programme

Key Certs training may be provided in FET Centres or through via local ETBs Search our FET coursefinder

Proffesional Development 

Key HSA approved Construction skills can be developed or recertified if needed via Solas for Demolition machinery & processes Search Key construction skills certs 

Apprenticeship: There are many allied Training & Apprenticeship opportunities at NFQ levels 5-6 Search apprenticeships

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €24k - €42k

Salaries vary by employer, duties, role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Payscale.com/ Glassdoor.ie/ WRC construction

Last Updated: March, 2023

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual employment growth was negative for this occupation, with employment levels remaining unchanged between 2021 and 2022. The CSO Census data shows that over half (56%) of the employment in 2022, and growth between 2016 and 2022, was for those classified as mobile machine drivers/operatives not elsewhere classified (e.g. diggers, excavator drivers); in 2022 fork-lift truck drivers accounted for 32%, crane drivers and agricultural machinery drivers each accounting for 6%.

Despite the decline in employment, there were mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey relating to drivers for the construction sector (e.g. forklift drivers. crane, site, and teleporter operators). Future demand for drivers/operatives will be dependent on the level of construction activity in the short to medium term.

• Road Safety Authority (RSA)

  • Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co.Mayo
  • (096) 25000 / LoCall 1890 506080
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here