CDI implode a Load-Out Tower (video)

Controlled Demolition Inc. must have someone on-site exclusively looking after filming their implosions, as it seems every building demolished gets multiple angles recorded. Not that we're complaining as we love seeing these videos at Demolish and Dismantle.

Earlier this week we got to see a DAP Buliding imploded at a chemical plant in Bartow, Florida. The building was 100-feet tall and comprised mainly of steel. This latest video is on the same site, and shows a Load-Out Tower that measures 120-feet tall being imploded. Again, the structure was mainly comprised of steel and it looked to be a very clean blast.

“There She Blows” - AR Demolition Ltd Levels Chimney at Former Shoe Machine Factory

The Leicester city skyline was re-modelled in an instance on Saturday 21st January when an iconic 115ft tall chimney at the former British Union Shoe Machinery (BUSM) works in Ross Walk, Belgrave, was blown up in spectacular fashion.

Hundreds of people watched as the chimney was demolished by AR Demolition to make way for new housing. Westleigh Developments plans to build 1,200 homes on the 30-acre site, six play areas, shops, cafes, commercial units and a nursery, at a cost of around £15 million.

Residents from 26 homes, whose houses were inside the safety exclusion zone, were invited as VIPs to the controlled demolition.

Also there, were former employees of BUSM one of whom 62 year old Tom Keville, pushed the buttons to trigger the explosions to bring the chimney down at exactly 11am. Tom, who worked at the factory starting as an apprentice 47 years ago, won the chance to have his finger on the fire button after bidding £1,700 in a charity auction.

It was a bitter sweet moment for Tom, but sad for others such as former management accountant trainee, Peter Barratt who had come to bid a fond farewell to the landmark, part of the huge factory which in it’s hey day was the largest manufacturer of footwear machinery in the world, employing some 4,500 people.

Richard Dolman, managing director of AR Demolition Ltd, who oversaw the demolition of the chimney said: "It is an adrenaline rush. It was a perfect job."

AR Demolition commenced work on the four phase contract mid 2011 to clear the site of the main four storey factory and associated buildings and infrastructure. The chimney demolition is part of the third phase of the job.

Commenting on the controlled explosion Richard said, “Preparation as usual was key to the success of the blast. Charges were strategically placed on the morning of the demolition. The evacuation was completed 20 minutes ahead of schedule and the exclusion zone given the all clear.

Institute of Construction Management Annual Meeting

Many members of the IDE are also members of The Institute of Construction Management as there is considerable overlap between the aims of the two institutes and their joint stance on CPD. So we are pleased to announce that the 37th National Rally of the ICM is being held on Saturday, June 30th at the Devere Village Hotel North Leeds.

The event commences at 7pm and will include a three-course dinner, cabaret, and dancing to live music. Tickets are £32 per person with accomodation available for £75 per double room.

For more information get in touch with the ICM directly via their webiste. The full address of the venue is also available along with a date reminder on the ICM Google Calendar.

Controlled Demolition implode 100-foot Chemical Plant DAP building

Following on from yesterday's Dick Green implosion, we have another explosive takedown video to share with you. This one is from Controlled Demolition, Inc. who acted as implosion subcontractor to Southern Salvage, Inc. of Fort Meade, Florida.

The job involved the demolition of a DAP Building, which formed part of a chemical plant located in Bartow, Florida. The structure was 100-feet tall and comprised mainly of steel. The implosion was carried out at 10am EST last Friday.

Dick Green blows up two concrete hoppers in Doncaster

Our friend Dick Green has just completed a job for Able UK which saw two concrete hoppers imploded. The job required 138kg of explosives and you can see the hoppers implode in the video below.



The hoppers formed part of the Thorpe Marsh power station in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Able had been tasked with asbestos removal and de-planting, both of which have now been completed.

More info about the Thorpe Marsh job is avilable at Able's website.

But could it have all been different? IOSH seminar

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has announced a seminar aimed at health and safety practitioners, facilities managers, occupational health practitioners and other professionals with the responsibility for accident prevention, investigation and behavioural change.

It has been titled "But could it have all been different?" and will deal with the important health and safety issues relating to accident prevention and behavioral safety, and will provide advice and information on developing a positive safety culture within a workforce.

The seminar includes key informative and motivational speakers, and will be spearheaded by Ken Woodward OBE, who will deliver a keynote session highlighting the horrific workplace accident in which he lost his eyesight and sense of smell and taste.

The seminar is taking place at the Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire on the 2nd February. IOSH members only have to pay £102 inc. VAT, non-members pay slightly more at £117.60 inc. VAT.

For more information and booking details visit the IOSH website.

Construction Site Fire Safety Risk Assessment Training Course

The Association for Project Safety (APS) is reintroducing its course specifically tailored to train CDM-Cs and other construction professionals in the art and science of fire risk assessment on construction sites. It is called the Construction Site Fire Safety Risk Assessment Training Course, and will be run again in 2012.

The course covers construction risk management and will include coverage of recent work activity undertaken by the fire and rescue service, HSE and Timber Framed interests in respect of the problems of fire spread on sites where timber framed buildings are being constructed.

Starting in April the APS will hold 6 events across the UK in Gatwick, Milton Keynes, East Midlands, Leeds, Edinburgh and Knutsford. However, places are limited to 20 per event, so you need to act quickly if you wish to attend.

More details can be found on the APS website.

Demolition worker fined for causing severe leg injury

Devon Stoner, a 44 year old demolition worker employed by Sloane Demolition Ltd., has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive.

In January last year Mr Stoner entered a 360 excavator on the site of a two-storey building that was being demolished in Kent. Four other men were present sorting and reclaiming bricks. Mr Stoner started the excavator, but could not control it.

The uncontrolled movements of the machine managed to knock over a wall. A co-worker could not move away from the wall quick enough and suffered severe injuries to his leg. The injury was so bad, the man now walks around with a steel plate in his shin and ankle. At the time, his shin was completely shattered and his ankle broken.

The blame for the incident lies with Mr Stoner who was both untrained and unauthorized to use the machine by his employer. After pleading guilty to breaching section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, a court ruled he pay a £500 fine and undertake 120 hours of community service.

That's little compensation for his co-worker who has to live with the consequences of Mr Stoner's actions in what was a completely avoidable incident.

Source: HSE

Register for the International Safety Awards 2012

The International Safety Awards is now accepting applications for the 2012 scheme. They are open to members and non-members, and relate to the health and safety management at a particular site or business unit during the previous calendar year.

According to the British Safety Council there are many benefits for applicants and of course the winners. These include:

• External endorsement
• Performance benchmark
• Heightened prestige
• Press coverage
• Winners' banquet
• Winners' logo
• Winners' trophy and certificate

Registering to take part involves answering 12 questions relating to your health and safety management. These need to be completed and returned by the 29th February. The results are issued on the 22nd March.

You can find out more details including how to register at the British Safety Council website.

Safe Working Practice for Office Staff

Demolition is a safety critical industry and we are all aware of the training employers need to provide in order to maintain a safety aware and competent workforce on site.

However, how often do we consider the legislation that is in place to protect those working within the office/administrative environment of demolition, and how often do we provide necessary and adequate training in order to comply with this legislation?

Granted, the office is not the most dangerous of places, but the office does contain many hazards that if not properly addressed and managed, have the potential to cause harm and have a significant impact on effectiveness and efficiency, not to mention time and money lost through illness and injury.

C&D Training Division have developed a new course specifically designed to address these issues and to raise awareness on how to keep the office a safe and healthy work place.

1. Acknowledge The Legislation Relating To Health And Safety In The Workplace
2. Identify Hazards Within The Office Environment & Ways In Which They Can Be Reduced
3. Identify Safe Practice In The Use Of Display Screen Equipment
4. Identify Safe Manual Handling Techniques
5. Recognise The Impact Of Workplace Stress On Personal Health And Safety
6. Identify Ways To Reduce Workplace Stress

For more information, please email jill@demolishdismantle.co.uk