Despite Californian tragedy, explosive demolition has its place.
Let’s be under no illusions here, the accident that accompanied the Kern Power Plant demolition in Bakersfield, California yesterday is a tragedy. Demolition is a means to an end and should not EVER cause injury to anyone.
But before the global media lines up to call for a ban on explosive demolition methods, a little context might be useful. More people are injured in the UK each year by their own underwear than are injured globally by explosive demolition. Sadly, however, demolition is a process that – like air travel – has its exemplary safety record overlooked and forgotten in the immediate aftermath of an incident of this nature.
The primary issue here is not the explosive demolition contractor who knows the drill, the risks and the procedures. It is the general public (and even representatives of the media) that do not. I have seen countless implosions delayed because someone (often an over-zealous photographer) breeches the exclusion zone for a better look at the action.
Few would argue that explosive demolition is not a potentially hazardous business. But where it differs from other sectors with similar risks is that they are not required to deal with crowds of onlookers. Deep sea fishing does not attract crowds. Underground mining does not have spectators. A number of recent implosions have had a “no spectator” rule imposed and maybe that is the shape of things to come. Certainly, if you take the crowd out of the Bakersville blast you’re left with an efficient piece of demolition.
There will, of course, be an investigation. And this being the US, there will probably be a lawsuit too. It is far too early to predict the results of either but – if previous experience is anything to go by – the demolition contractor is generally perceived to be three-quarters guilty before it even takes the stand.
They key, however, is not to take explosives out of demolition. It is to take people out of explosive demolition events.
