NFDC President David Darsey receives Fellowship of the Institute of Demolition Engineers

BREAKING NEWS: Just a few days after celebrating his 40th birthday, the National Federation of Demolition Contractors’ youngest-ever President – David Darsey – will be reaching for the champagne again having just been named as a Fellow of the Institute of Demolition Engineers.

David Darsey FIDE has been a long-time supporter of the Institute and was an active member of the Council of Management. His fellowship recognises this commitment, and Darsey’s pioneering philosophy on site welfare and operative health screening.

We hope to have more information soon.

New South Wales roadside landmark destined for scrapheap (or BBQ)

A New South Wales council has approved the demolition of one of the states most recognisable roadside landmarks, Ballina’s Big Prawn.

As we reported at the beginning of August, city officials were to vote on the future of the giant fibre glass crustacean. And while a potential relocation (or even a replacement with a giant pelican) has not been ruled out, it now appears that the Big Prawn will soon be sent to the big shrimp cocktail in the sky.

Concerns over asbestos delay demolition of Wisconsin ore dock.

The historic ore dock in Ashland, Wisconsin will live on for one more year. Demolition work will have to wait until next summer as contractors wait for one last permit between them, Canadian National Railway and the City of Ashland. Permits have already been obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The outstanding permit will cover responsibility for damages during the razing of the ore dock.

Further details here.

Cherry Demolition contract shelved as Houston Savoy owner steps in.

It’s falling to pieces and a large crack is etched across its facade but the historic Savoy Hotel in downtown Houston has received a temporary stay of execution as the owner stepped in to prevent the planned emergency demolition.

On Wednesday, the city of Houston selected the Cherry Demolition Company to take down the 103-year-old, seven story building on Main Street. Cherry beat five competitors, offering a price tag of $448,600, said city spokesman Frank Michel.

However, a spokesman for Houston Mayor Bill White says the city has tentatively agreed with the building’s owner to delay the demolition until October 2. In addition, the owner will select the contractor to tear down the abandoned Savoy and will the pay for the work himself, Michel said.

Read the full story and watch the video update here.

Time-lapse video captures “demolition” of a section of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge.

Skid Steer giant becomes latest to join the Demolition News Business Directory.

Rome wasn’t built in a day; and while the Demolition News Business Directory has been a little slow to take off, it has certainly gathered pace in the past few days. And we’re delighted to announce another big name signing today – World skid steer market leader, Bobcat.

So please hop on over to the Demolition News Business Directory and take a look at Bobcat’s new listing, together with those of our other supporters.

Demolition delayed in Alaskan “river town” due to lack of water.

“Fairbanks was founded on the banks of the water, grew on the banks of the water….. Fairbanks was – and is – a river town.” How ironic then that demolition work on a number of downtown buildings in the Alaskan town has been delayed due to a lack of water to suppress dust from the works.

Click here for further details.

UK’s Health and Safety Executive forced to take ‘misleading’ asbestos radio ad off air.

UK trade magazine Construction News reports that the Health and Safety Executive’s radio advertising about the number of people killed by asbestos has been ruled as misleading and will be taken off the air following an objection to the fatality statistics used.

The advertising regulator said it had received the criticism from the Asbestos Watchdog about five adverts run by the HSE warning of the dangers of asbestos exposure to tradesmen.

Read the full story here.

Campaigners have failed in their bid to save Leicester’s derelict Bowstring Bridge.

Dismantling of the derelict Bowstring Bridge in the West End of Leicester was due to start on 21 September but was put back because of engineering works. Campaigners fought to save the bridge and applied for it to have listed status but English Heritage said the structure did not meet the criteria.

Work to dismantle the bridge will start on 5 October, the city council said.

Read more here.

Chicago demolition worker escapes with minor injury after building collapse.

A Chicago demolition worker escaped with only minor injuries after being trapped for nearly an hour when a roof collapsed during a scheduled demolition Tuesday afternoon of a Menard’s store in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates.

Crews provided the 45-year-old Chicago man with a radio to communicate with emergency personnel and also cut a hole in the roof to check his air quality. The man was rescued about 4:50 p.m. and was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where he was treated and released within an hour, havibg suffered only minor injuries.

Click here for more details.