Jobs – Rye is recruiting…

August 30, 2018 General

Award-winning contractor recruiting across the board.

Fresh from picking up a coveted award at the inaugural British Demolition Awards, Hertfordshire-based Rye Demolition has hit he recruitment trail.

The company has vacancies for the following:

  • Senior commercial manager
  • Development manager
  • Senior estimator
  • Class 1&2 drivers

Great packages available

Contact:  S.barlow@ryedemolition.co.uk

Rye Demolition Ltd has an enviable reputation for delivering quality, professionalism and value on all its projects and demands the highest standards with the emphasis on Health and Safety and the Environment. With its proven capabilities working on large or small contracts our proactive approach provides a commitment to ensure contracts are finished on time and within budget.

Competition – So you want to be Insta-famous…?

August 29, 2018 Competition, Video

Competition will give winners unrivalled access to DemolitionNews’ global audience.

At some point in the next few weeks, DemolitionNews’ Instagram account will hit the astonishing 30,000 followers mark.

Now we could pat ourselves on the back for becoming the world’s largest demolition-dedicated feed on the platform. We could bask in the glory of having taken our following from less than 10,000 to 30,000 since the beginning of the year.

But the truth is – aside from posting some photos and videos – we haven’t really done anything. It is our audience that have followed us, liked our content and engaged with us. And so, in an attempt to give something back to the people that put us in this position, we are running a competition that will hopefully help make a few of them as Insta-famous as we are….well, almost.

Full details in the video below.

Comment – Enforce AND Endorse…

August 28, 2018 Comment

The relationship between the HSE and the demolition industry should be a two-way street.

During my time as the publicity officer of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, I was the co-author of no less than four sets of industry guidance notes. I was co-author on both the original and the updated edition of the guidance notes on the safe use of high reach excavators; on the guidance on the safe use of mobile crushers in a demolition environment; and on the guidance on the deconstruction of tower blocks, or the top-down guidance as most people now know it.

Each time we produced a new set of guidance notes, they were shared with the Health and Safety Executive prior to publication. And each time, the response was exactly the same.

The HSE thanked the NFDC for their time, effort, investment and diligence. They welcomed each new publication as a significant contribution to safety in the demolition arena. They gave each new publication an unequivocal thumbs-up. And then they flatly refused to endorse all of them.

The relationship between the demolition industry and the Health and Safety Executive has always been a little fractious. And – traditionally, at least – with good reason.

In years gone by, the demolition industry had proved itself to be a dangerous place in which to work. Accidents were frequent, and fatalities were far too common. The industry of old thoroughly deserved to be high on the HSE watch-list.

But times have changed. With one or two notable exceptions, the UK demolition industry’s health and safety track record continues to improve year-on-year. Accident levels generally fall with each passing year. Fatalities are at an all-time low.

Compared to allied industries such as construction, refurbishment, and the waste and recycling sectors, demolition is a paragon of health and safety good practice. There was even talk a few years back about a policy of earned autonomy in which industries that demonstrated a true commitment to health and safety best practice would be inspected less and would be allowed to – partially, at least – police themselves.

That would have been great for the UK demolition industry which has clearly demonstrated just such a commitment. It would have been great for the HSE which has seen inspector numbers in seemingly terminal decline.

And then came the Fee for Intervention. Suddenly, a visit to a demolition site provided the HSE with the ability to generate some much-needed revenue. And rather than becoming self-policing, demolition seemingly moved back to the top of the HSE’s hit-list.

Rather than a carrot and stick approach, the HSE seems to have eaten the carrot and adopted an all stick approach in which it would prefer to punish rather than encourage.

For decades, the UK demolition industry has put to shame the allied industries around it with its forward-thinking approach to the environment and to safety. It has put its money where its mouth is, creating training courses at all levels of the industry; backing those courses with competence cards; reinforcing that training with published guidance notes.

Now I am not suggesting for once second that the HSE should stop policing the UK demolition industry. Nor am I suggesting that a policy of earned autonomy would be a good idea for the whole demolition industry.

What I am saying is that when a demolition company goes above and beyond regulations to ensure the safety of its workforce and of those living or working around them, that their accomplishments should be recognised and applauded.

Ultimately what I am saying is that the relationship between the HSE and the UK demolition industry should be a two-way street.

And if the HSE wants to enforce, then surely it should also be willing to endorse.

An extended version of this article is available as an audio podcast that you can listen to here.

Video – Sunderland stack imploded…

August 28, 2018 implosion, Video

Former paper mill chimney falls in controlled blast.

The chimney at the former Edward Thompson paper mill in Hendon, Sunderland has been demolished in a controlled explosion.

Appropriately, the demolition at the Edward Thompson stack was charged to another Thompson; demolition firm Thompsons of Prudhoe. The company’s John Thompson said the chimney had come down exactly as planned: “After weeks of very careful planning between Thompsons of Prudhoe, our client Sunderland City Council and the HSE, the chimney was brought down to ground using explosives successfully and exactly as planned. The A1018 Commercial Road was closed for approximately 15 minutes. There was around 5kg of explosives used, the chimney was 180ft high and the bricks weighed 1,390 tons.”

Thompson’s produced more than 500 tons of paper a year at the plant for more than 20 years after taking it over following the departure of Canadian firm Domtar.

Audio – ScrapChat podcast goes live…

August 22, 2018 Audio

Demolition News Radio unveils fourth audio show.

It is just under a year since we launched the Demolition News Radio audio podcast. In that time, we have attracted well over 15,000 listeners; seen our audio output appear on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify and a whole host of other podcast broadcast platforms; and we have launched several new dedicated shows.

We started with our monthly Business Briefing which we produce in conjunction with market intelligence provider The Builders’ Conference. That show looks back over the previous month’s new contract awards in the demolition and construction sectors, and charts the industry’s fortunes based upon the value of those new contract awards. WE followed up with The Birth of a Demolition Company, a show that charts the fortunes of b-line demolition as the company takes its first tentative steps on the path to demolition glory.

Yet there was still room for more. In truth, I would love to produce a show dedicated to the asbestos sector that sits alongside demolition in so many ways. I am also determined to produce a regular training show to monitor the constant shifts in cards and competence schemes, training courses and qualifications.

But at the very top of our priority list was the scrap sector. The scrap industry is not only inexorably linked with the demolition business, but the prices offered by scrap dealers to demolition contractors for various types of scrap metals can be the difference between a good contract and a great one; between profit and loss.

And so, we have today launched the fourth show in the Demolition News Radio network: ScrapChat.

Given the time and expertise required to make ScrapChat a reality, we needed a partner; a partner with an expertise in the scrap metal industry but with an understanding of the needs and demands of the demolition sector. And we found the perfect partner is Matthew High who works for Downwell Demolition but who – in his spare time – created the ScrapsAway.co.uk website to help demolition contractors and members of the public find the nearest location to dispose of scrap metal and to obtain the best possible price in the process.

If you haven’t yet checked out the show, you can listen (or, better still, subscribe) via more than a dozen podcast platforms. Just search for Demolition News Radio. Alternatively, if you’re an iOS user, you can visit https://tinyurl.com/ycrm46hf and listen now.

MailTime from the Masters of Merch’

August 20, 2018 Competition

Get your hands on some JCB-branded merchandise in our all-new competition.

You can win yourself a box of JCB-branded goodies. Just watch the video (below) and answer one very simple question (and if you’re struggling with the question, you will find a big clue here: http://bit.ly/2vUEELe)

Send you answer to manthony@markanthonypublicity.co.uk

The eventual winner will be chosen at random from the correct answers received. The competition closes on Friday 31 August 2018.

British Demolition Awards – Take 2…

August 20, 2018 General

The British Demolition Awards is coming to Manchester in 2019.

http://www.accorhotels.com/8325
It’s official. The British Demolition Awards will take place again in 2019. And it’s going to be even bigger and better than this year’s hugely popular event.

Based on the success of the inaugural British Demolition Awards just a few weeks ago, our colleagues and publishing partners at Chambers Media have been actively seeking a new venue for the second outing of the industry’s only truly independent awards ceremony.

And we’re delighted to announce that venue will be the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

“We are moving the awards from the excellent Belfry for two reasons: more space, giving us the capacity for more attendees; and we want the awards to travel the country, so Manchester was chosen as the new destination,” explains Chambers Media’s Ben Chambers. “We feel it’s a great choice.”

The glittering event will take place in the hotel’s International suite – which can accommodate 650 guests – on Friday 19th July 2019 so please save the dates. And take a moment to check out the dedicated new British Demolition Awards website where you can book your table and find out more about what promises to be a truly memorable event.

Video – Birth of a Demolition Company #4…

August 16, 2018 Birth of a Demolition Company, Video

b-line demolition can now count itself as a true demolition company.

When we last caught up with the team at fledgling demolition contractor b-line, the company had just secured its first stand-alone demolition project.

That project is now complete and it earned the company plaudits from both the client and an external auditor.

Jobs – AR Demolition seeks site manager….

August 16, 2018 General

The Company – AR Demolition Ltd is a fast growing, multi award winning Company and we currently have a vacancy for an experienced Site Manager who will report into Operations Management.

The Role – you will be responsible for the management of all on-site activities. Our sites could be situated anywhere in the UK, and you will need to ensure that your site/project runs as efficiently as possible. To achieve efficiency you will need to monitor and manage resources to ensure that projects operate within budget and are completed to agreed timescales always ensuring that safe working practices are adhered to at all times. You should also promote and adhere to company values.

You will need to have a CCDO Black Managers Card and have had at least 5 years working at site management level within either the demolition or construction industries. You will need to be confident and professional in approach and have good computer skills. You must also be a good problem solver, have a can-do attitude and be prepared to work anywhere in the UK, staying away from home whenever necessary.

Key responsibilities will be to:

  • Monitor and supervise all site personnel, including any sub-contract labour.
  • Ensure that everybody on site is aware of the project priorities, procedures, guidance and instructions.
  • Check that the project team is fully trained and competent for the project in hand, including any sub-contract labour.
  • Maintain and establish a safe and healthy working environment, free from risk.
  • Ensure that prior to work commencing on site that the necessary planning, assessment of risks and control measures are implemented in line with AR Demolition Ltd HS&E Policy.
  • Seek advice from the Operations Health & Safety Team on risk assessments or method statement development for any high risk activities or any other health, safety or environmental concerns either before project commencement or any time during.
  • Ensure that all relevant site paperwork is completed and uploaded onto company computer system.

The Package – good rates of pay, company van and Bupa healthcare is provided.

If you feel you have the skills and attitude necessary for this role please apply on line by uploading a copy of your CV or alternatively by sending your CV directly to Cheryl Frost at AR Demolition Ltd, 36 Main Street, Carlton, Nuneaton CV13 0EZ or e-mail cfrost@ardemolitiion.co.uk.

 

Squibb chases Welsh dragon…

August 16, 2018 News

Essex-based contractor establishes South Wales office amidst Cuddy fallout.

Squibb Group has reacted quickly to the untimely demise of Welsh demolition contractor Cuddy Group by opening an office in Wales to meet the specific needs of the local market.

A social media post yesterday – interestingly produced in the Welsh language opening of the new office just as details of the Cuddy Group administration were becoming clear.

Speaking to DemolitionNews, Squibb Group’s Leslie Squibb said: “We have worked consistently in Wales now for the last three years and see this a natural progression with the unfortunate demise of Cuddy.”

Squibb Group itself has recently moved into a new office in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. DemolitionNews was given the guided tour recently – You can see that here.