Leading by example

It’s not just the small companies that get it wrong when it comes to safety in the workplace, sometimes the “big” boys make mistakes too. Take, for instance, the recent case of Thames Water who have just received fines and costs totaling in excess of £361,000 after an employee of theirs was killed, on one of their sites, by a reversing excavator. The worker was working in one of the companies sand filter beds when an excavator involved with the work hit him. He received multiple crush injuries and died at the scene.

HSE established that “although TWUL recognised the need for control measures to mitigate the risk of a collision between plant and workers, the company failed to implement sufficient measures on the day. Those working in the beds, including Mr Holmes, had received no formal instruction or supervision to ensure they understood the safe systems of work.” HSE also found that “nobody was required to wear hi-visibility clothing, and that the excavator had no effective rear view mirrors or any form of reversing aid or alarm.”

In an era when the expectation is for the larger companies to have a greater degree of responsibility for their employees, it is disappointing that these occurrences still happen. It must be the way forward for the larger companies to set the good example and influence the attitude and practices of the smaller ones.

The largest preserved walking dragline excavator in Western Europe

The Institute of Quarrying is advertising an event happening across June and September which will allow you to go and see the largest preserved walking dragline excavator in Western Europe.

The excavator is located at St Adians Opencast Coal Site (Swillington, Leeds, LS26 8AL) and has a 25 cubic yard bucket! If just seeing this behemoth isn't enough to tempt you, how about getting the chance to sit in the driver's seat?

There are three dates on which your visit can happen:

- Saturday, 14th June
- Saturday, 13th September
- Sunday, 14th September

In all cases admission is free and will happen at both 2pm and 4pm. There's also working models, DVDs, and displays to look at while you're there.

If you are interested in going, please get in touch with Paul C Thompson on 07889 285634

Hitachi 5 ton excavator stolen

On Friday, a Hitachi 5 ton excavator along with equipment was stolen from Bromley Demolition. Details of the vehicle are as follows:

Make: Hitachi
Model: ZX50R
Type: Excavator
Colour: Orange, Grey, and Black
Fuel: Diesel
Chassis No. 1LV003362
Engine No. 7E4109
Cylinder capacity: 2197
Gross Weight: 4510

If you have any information regarding its whereabouts, please contact Gary Bishop of Bromley Demolition on the following:

Tel: 0208 464 3610

Fax: 0208 313 3623

Mob: 07889 361841

E-mail: gary@bromleydem.co.uk

Building collapse blamed on digging machinery

It's pretty obvious that load bearing columns are what keep a building standing. So using a mini excavator as part of a shop refit inside a three storey building means you need to be careful what you hit. In the case of the building on Borad Lane, Brook Hill in Sheffield, that was not the case.

It's thought the shopfitters managed to drive their mini excavator into a load bearing column inside the shop, which damaged it to the point where the building collapsed. Four people were left trapped in the rubble when the unexpected collapse happened, and 20 people are homeless. There's also a question mark over the safety of the surrounding buildings.

The HSE are investigating what happened, and I predict there's going to be a major payout required by the shopfitters if it is determined to be their fault.

Source: BBC

Volvo offering the perfect Christmas present for young demolition experts

Get your letter off to Santa as soon as you can if you want one of these little excavators. It forms an ideal present for any young demolition and excavator men out there.

Buy yours now at Volvo Merchandise

How not to park an excavator

Excavator shows the true power of water

The action starts at 4 minutes 20 seconds in, but it's well worth watching all the way through, but it helps if you speak German.