C&D interviewed by Demolition TV

We were delighted to be interviewed by Demolition News for their new TV programme. You can watch the interview below:

C&D support Erith Group with an advertisement

Building Design & Construction Magazine are running a feature this month on Erith Group and their development of a reliable trusted supply chain, of which C&D are a part. So we are delighted to support the Erith article with an advertisement produced for us by Mark Anthony at Demolition News which we reproduce here.

Site safety, kids, and video cameras

Once upon a time there was a young boy with a video camera who liked to film stuff.



The video above is linked to a true story you can read over on Demolition News, but it raises the interesting point of site security if something had happened to that young boy whilst on the site who would have been responsible?

Under the criminal law, namely the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Section 3(1) states: 'It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby, are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety. This has been construed as meaning trespassers as well, and is reinforced by the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 which specifically includes site occupiers’ responsibilities towards trespassers.

So the moral of the story is think carefully about the security of your site and ensure the safety of it, even when there is supposed to be no-one there. Remember the Christmas break is appearing all too quickly over the horizon. This is especially important to those contractors with sites next to or very close to schools. Why not consider engaging the young people with a visit to the school, to educate them, not only about the dangers of trespassing on sites, but also about the positive side of working in our industry.

C&D Rugby Shirt completion winner Joe Kerrigan gets ready to join the scrum!

When we launched our new range of "Keep Calm" T shirts some weeks ago we also launched the C&D rugby shirt, without the advertising panel, as leisure wear and to announce the launch Mark Anthony at Demolition News ran a competition to win a shirt via the weekly Demolition News newsletter.

The winner from a large bag of entries was Joe Kerrigan whose Mum, Jenny Moore, works at L A Moore Limited and entered the competition for Joe.

After the winner was drawn the shirt was despatched to Joe, with a new "&" shirt and we were pleased to receive the photo of Joe wearing the rugby shirt and looking ready to enter the scrum!

Do companies learn from their mistakes and implement changes?

Last week saw an article on Demolition News that reported that Thomas Vale and CMR Demolitions Ltd had been prosecuted for failings on a demolition project at Stoke on Trent that left one of CMR’s workforce seriously injured.

The HSE required CMR to take action and to change the way that they dealt with similar works so did CMR take that action?

Yes.

Immediately following the accident CMR implemented the following:-

• All CMR and specific Thomas Vale personnel attended a one day demolition structural awareness course written especially to address the issues and delivered by John Woodward and John Harris of Stewart & Harris Structural Engineers. The course content included some of the elements of the structural module of the NDTG Demolition Manager Course (delivered by John & John) and specific focus on modular buildings and included a group exercise on why buildings collapse and how removal of what appear to be minor components, can seriously compromise the structural integrity of a structure.

• CMR engaged Duncan Rudall of DCS Training via the NDTG to deliver CCDO and CPCS assessments for all machine operators and relevant employees and supervisors to “upskill” the workforce.

• CMR implemented “Super Toolbox Talks” from senior management to emphasise the need for additional diligence on demolition projects and the need for a comprehensive RAMS regime to be in place.

These steps plus additional auditing from CMR’s in house H&S Department have made a difference to the safety culture of the company from Directors down to the workforce and instilled a desire to never again be involved in an accident.

CMR cannot turn back the clock, even though they wish that they could, to make their employee safe but they have learnt from the mistake and taken positive steps to prevent a reoccurrence.

Demolition News Trophy for IDE Fishing Day unveiled

Regular visitors to this site will know that the IDE President's Fishing Day is going to be held on Wednesday 3rd October at Furnace Mill Fishery in Bewdley. Details of the day and a booking form can be found at the IDE website at www.ide.org.uk.

Demolition News have kindly decided to not only enter a team in the competition, but to sponsor the event with a trophy for the winner and that trophy has now been unveiled at Demolition News Towers.

Not only will the competititon winner get to choose from an array of angling products on the day, he will also go home with this trophy to grace the mantlepiece.

Demolition News launches Demo Talk Radio

Not content with just words on a website, Demolition News has decided to get vocal with the launch of a new online radio show called Demo Talk Radio.

Mark Anthony will run the show and the first episode is already available to listen to. It includes the following content:

• A look at the new higher rate of VAT with Liz Bridge of The Tax Bridge


• An interview with John Cuddy, managing director of Cuddy Group, one of the UK’s largest demolition contracting companies


• A look at the new Demolition Managers training course with Sophie Francis of the National Demolition Training Group and John Woodward of C&D Consultancy


• A Three-Minute Pitch from Garry Adey of European Attachments Group


• And a straw poll of UK demolition market optimism with contributions from AR Demolition, CMEC Demolition, Comley & Sons Demolition, and Tyne Tees Demolition.

Head on over to Demolition News to listen to Epsidoe One right now. We wish Mark all the best with his new venture.

An Industry Rebranded?

Mark Anthony of Demolition News has written a thought-provoking article for the Construction Equipment website. It talks about how the Demolition industry as a whole has a "reputation for being rough and tough."

Our own John Woodward is mentioned throughout. Here's excerpt:

"But does that image really cut it in this day and age of health and safety conscious, risk averse and political correctness?

Well, Advanced Explosive Demolition's Eric Kelly - recently named world explosive demolition contractor of the year - certainly doesn't think so. In fact, he believes the time has come for the industry to strip away it's tough exterior and to be taken seriously as a sector with genuine skill; one that can hold its head up high alongside any other engineering-based career."

You can read the full article at the Construction Equipment website.

Mark Anthony's Tour of Scandinavia

Anyone who is a regular reader of Demolitionnews or follows its editor Mark Anthony on Twitter will have read of his recent “adventure” across Scandinavia in an attempt to return home to Epsom. Due to ice, sub zero temperatures, snow and fog, it took him what seemed like an endless four days to return to the UK.

My wife Jill has suggested that he should download these music tracks to his iPod following this adventure:-

Show me the way to go home.
Ice, Ice Baby,
Let it snow,
All around the world,
Lost in France (and Norway, Sweden and Denmark),
Homeward bound,
Fly to the moon (or anywhere else),
When will I see you again,
Trains and boats and planes,
Ferry Cross the Mersey (or the fjord),

If you have any more suggestions please let us know via the comments section below.

All the speakers and the winners from the 2010 Demolition Awards.

Source: Demolition News

The demolition Daily is the industry's daily newspaper

Demolition News has created the equivalent of a daily newspaper for the demolition industry but for your web browser.

The demolition Daily brings together the latest news from the NFDC, Environmental Agency, HSE, key individuals and companies from the world of demolition, and of course the odd nugget of information from our own John Woodward via his Twitter feed.

As Demolition News explains:

Each day, paper.li will pull together the Twitter posts from each of the individuals above and more than 30 of the industry’s key online movers and shakers, and present it to you in an easy-to-read, newspaper-style format. And you don’t have to be a Twitter user to read the newspaper.

In fact, all you need to do is visit The Demolition Daily each day (or add it as a favourite) and let us bring you the thoughts and views of some of the industry’s most influential individuals.

demolition-jobs.co.uk gets an upgrade

Demolition News' Mark Anthony has been running demolition-jobs.co.uk in conjunction with the NFDC for some time now. The original idea being to offer a place to go in these difficult times to advertise yourself for work in the demolition sector.

The site has been a success, and now it's time for an upgrade. So Mark has teamed up with recruitment specialist HumRes to allow demolition contractors to advertise employment to demolition professionals.

What this means is while individual demolition workers can advertise their skills and availability for free, companies can now also advertise openings they have. As Mark explains:

The vacancy will appear in minutes on both demolition-jobs.co.uk and
demolitionnews.com as well as on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and a multitude of other online platforms, ensuring that it is seen by thousands of demolition professionals almost immediately. And although your company’s details will not be visible on the site, prospective employees are then free to make direct contact with you, eliminating the costly recruitment middle-man.

Advertising a position will cost £50 per week or £150 for a month.

Head on over to Demolition News to learn more.

Euro Demolition News magazine Issue 2 available

Open publication - Free publishing - More eda

Demolition News has just announced the availability of the 2nd Euro Demolition News digital magazine. You can view it above, or click on one of the pages to make it go fullscreen and have an easier time reading the text.

Source: Demolition News

First edition of EDA magazine now available

Open publication - Free publishing - More warsaw

Demolition News, in association with the European Demolition Association, has made available the first edition of the EDA magazine you see above.

To view it just mouse over the image above and click the fullscreen button that appears.

According to Demolition News:

"This newsletter rounds up just about everything that took place at the EDA’s recent Spring Conference in Warsaw and also takes a timely look ahead to the association’s Autumn Conference that will take place in Stockholm in September."

Source: Demolition News

Demolition News launches iPhone-friendly version

Although the majority of us may still get our news fix from a PC or laptop, a growing number of people have started using their iPhone or similar smartphone to surf the web.

Unless you have a website optimised for a tiny screen it can be quite a frustrating task trying to read a web page. Demolition News is changing with the times though, and has this week launched its iPhone version of the site.

Posting about it on Demolition News, Mark Anthony explained:

"From now on, when you visit the site from your iPhone, you will be presented with a neater, more stripped-down and faster-loading version of the site with the latest news stories arranged in chronological order to allow you to see what’s been added since your last visit."

He wants you comments on the new layout too, so don't hesitate to get in touch.

Source: Demolition News

Off-duty demolition work wear

Not going into the office today? Want to sit around in more relaxed clothing, but still need to make it clear you're in the Demolition business? Then you need the Demo Boys T-shirt:



The long sleeve version is $25 and the short-sleeved alternative is just $20, both will have a shipping charge applied.

For information of how to get hold of one head on over to Demolition News for all the details.

Latest British Safety Council news

LEGISLATION TRACKER

Motor Vehicles (Refilling of Air Conditioning Systems by Service Providers) Regulations 2009
The Motor Vehicles (Refilling of Air Conditioning Systems by Service Providers) Regulations 2009 have been issued.

Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2009
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2009 have been issued.

LATEST FEATURES
Ask the Expert: Providing Information, Instruction and Training
The British Safety Council’s Information Service answers hundreds of queries a month.

Employers sought for free young driver workshops
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is looking for 10 organisations which employ young drivers to pilot new driving for work workshops.

New HSE podcast available
The HSE has issued the latest in its series of audio podcasts, designed to update duty holders about relevant developments in the safety field.

Revised COSHH leaflet issued
The HSE has published a revised version of its key chemical safety leaflet, ‘Working with substances hazardous to health.

Safety photos from HSE
As part of the recent relaunch of its website, the HSE has established an image library where health and safety-related photographs can be downloaded for free.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Using escalators during fire evacuation
Our main building has a number of internal pedestrian escalators.

Health and safety implications of business closure
Due to the current economic downturn, my organisation has to reduce the size of its workforce and close a number of buildings.

NEWS ROUND-UP
Carbon Trust Standard Company certifies its 100th achiever
The financial services group HSBC has received the Carbon Trust Standard mark of excellence.

Conference to address construction industry fatalities
In an effort to drive improvements in health and safety performance, the British Safety Council (BSC) is to host a major conference in London for directors, managers, health and safety practitioners, regulators and construction industry leaders.

Warning on basement excavations
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning building contractors involved in constructing basements to make sure that they plan the work properly and install sufficient temporary supports when excavating the foundations of houses, following the prosecution of a Tunbridge Wells company.

Well-being at work
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) recently conducted a snapshot survey of employers on the subject of well-being at work, which indicated that the issue remains a priority for employers, despite the recession, but that there are concerns about the Government’s new fit note.

Joint fire buying to save money
The Government has launched a new procurement strategy for the fire and rescue service in England for 2009 to 2012, focusing on joint buying by the fire and rescue service in order to achieve savings and benefit local communities.

Link between booze and a snooze
The Department of Health (DoH) recently conducted a survey that shows over half of drinkers are unaware of the link between alcohol and sleep problems.

CCS should be fitted for new gas-fired power stations
Executives from a number of leading energy companies are arguing that new gas-fired power stations should be subject to the same carbon capture and storage (CCS) fitment requirements as new coal-fired plants.

Campaign to crack down on drug driving
The first national TV advertising campaign to tackle drug driving has been launched by the Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis, following new research showing that 1 in 10 young male drivers admit to driving after taking illegal drugs.

Fire failings and ‘elf ‘n’ safety’ jokes
The President Elect of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has questioned whether recent findings by a Sunday newspaper which highlighted “thousands” of fire-related safety failings in British hotels and guest houses are symptomatic of a wider problem of disrespect for health and safety matters.

Update on HSE swine flu advice
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated its advice for employers on how to deal with the current swine flu situation.

BSC does its bit to fight construction fatalities
The British Safety Council (BSC) announced last week that it is introducing the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety to its suite of training products.

Pandemic vaccine priorities
The Department of Health (DOH) has announced its priorities for swine flu pandemic vaccines, in order to target those most at risk.

Mesothelioma sufferer wins compensation
A plasterer who has just months to live has received a substantial sum in compensation just 10 months after he developed asbestos-related cancer, according to the lawyers Thompsons Solicitors.

Bursaries for occupational hygiene
The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has announced the launch of a new bursary scheme, aimed at encouraging people already working in the field of occupational health and safety to take their first steps towards a possible career in occupational hygiene.

Compensation awarded to injured driver
A delivery van driver who had to be freed by the fire service when a faulty van door crushed his hand has received £7000 in accident compensation.

IDE Roadshow Mercedes Benz World video tour

Demolition News' Mark Anthony took some time out from covering the IDE Roadshow earlier this week to take a look around Mercedes Benz World where it was held. He has been kind enouh to share the video, which you can watch below:

IDE Roadshow - John Woodward speaks

Demolition News has been covering the last IDE Roadshow of 2009 being held at Mercedes Benz World in Weybridge. As part of the coverage a number of audio recordings have been made including one of our own John Woodward which you can listen to below:



Check out the rest of the coverage and other audio recordings at Demolition News

Demolition City games competition

Demolition News has started a competition and it involves playing a demolition game which is free to play online.

All you have to do is click on this link and you will be taken to a page with the game on. Then just start planting explosives and blowing up building structures. Once you have gone as far as you can print screen your high score and head on over to Demolition News to submit it and hopefully win a prize.

Here's my attempt, but I see it has already been beaten on Demolition News: