The Health and Safety Executive has announced radical steps to reduce site accidents.

With on site accidents static or rising, the Health and Safety Executive is recommending radical steps to prevent injuries from slips, trips, cuts, scrapes and broadsword attack.

Effective 1 April 2009, the HSE is recommending that all workers be supplied with a highly polished suit of armour that is impervious to all forms of likely damage. “We are recommending highly polished as, aside from the glare, it offers exceptionally high levels of visibility; far higher than those cheap and nasty high vis’ vests which, let’s face it, are very difficult to accessorise,” the HSE says. “Furthermore, there will no longer be an excuse for workers not having the correct PPE equipment with them at all times as they will be welded into these suits at the start of each working week and have no form of escape other than, perhaps, a sturdy can opener.”

The HSE says the new suits are being introduced in advance of the instigation of the Falling Over/Object Law (FOOL) later this year.

Although this latest move is designed specifically to reduce site accidents, the HSE believes that the new suits will have additional, day-to-day benefits. “Many demolition jobs take place in potentially rough inner city locations where there is a constant threat of physical violence,” the Executive explains. “Wearing these new suits, demolition workers can walk the streets of the UK safely and without fear of anything other than public ridicule and rust.”

Union representatives and other trade bodies report that they are currently preparing a response to the introduction of the new suits although www.demolitionnews.com understands that there has been a sudden, inexplicable and significant increase in sales of WD40 and Brasso.

“Our Medieval forebears knew a thing or two about safety,” concludes the HSE spokesperson. “So long as demolition workers remain constantly aware of potential arrow-induced eye injuries, these suits will reduce site accidents significantly.”

French Caterpillar executives detained by employees amidst redundancy pay dispute.

UK trade magazine Contract Journal has picked up on a report in The Times newspaper about the apparent “bossnapping” of some senior French Caterpillar executives.

Four of the equipment giant’s executives were apparently detained by their employees in a protest over redundancy pay.

Further details here.

An excavator operator has been airlifted to hospital after being struck by a 10 metre pipe.

Fire crews have been called to rescue an excavator operator after a 10 metre steel pipe fell three storeys and punched through the roof of his cab, pinning him in his machine.

Full details can be found here.

Attachment and quick coupler manufacturer Miller unveils new-style quick coupler.

If you cast your mind back to 18 December 2008 – you know, just before the office party – you might recall Miller International’s Keith Miller speaking here about the subject of semi automatic quick hitches and changes to regulations and the like.

Unbeknown to us at that time, Keith and his team of highly trained Geordie engineers were beavering away to develop the latest word in quick coupler technology: the Twinlock II. The new unit features an exclusive Automatic Blocking System (ABS) mechanical back-up to automatically secure both the front and rear attachment pins in the event that engagement forces are lost.

Demonstrated on a cold and wet site in the shadow of the new Wembley Stadium, the result is an impressive yet remarkably simple piece of engineering:

Demolition equipment specialist Haulmark awarded sole UK Rubble Master distribution rights.

Haulmark Equipment becomes sole distributor for Rubble Master in UK and Ireland
Warrington-based company Haulmark has been awarded the sole distributorship for Rubble Master in the UK and Ireland from 1st April 2009. Part of the ECY Group, Haulmark is already one of Europe’s largest suppliers of demolition equipment and has been supplying the Rubble Master compact crusher and screen range in the Midlands and Northern England since 1999. The new agreement will double the area to which Haulmark supplies Rubble Master products, and sales are expected to double to match.

“We are delighted to be awarded the distributor rights for Rubble Master products in the UK and Ireland. The Rubble Master compact recyclers have become a synonym for recycling equipment. They are very well designed machines that really meet the requirements of the industry and have an unrivalled reputation, so we’re proud to supply them,” says managing director Richard Yarwood.

“We’ve been working with the company for 12 years and during this time we have seen a growing demand for their products. However, the UK and Ireland are still lagging behind Europe in the recycling of demolition materials, by about 10 years. Because the Rubble Master compact crushers can be used on site to produce high quality grain which can be reused, sometimes even on the same site, these machines could genuinely reduce the amount of demolition materials going into landfill sites. We hope to help the UK and Ireland get up to speed.”

Implosion brings end to Union Carbide building in West Virginia.

An NFDC video produced in 1980s gives a fascinating insight into how the industry has changed.

The recent move to new premises of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors uncovered a fascinating video produced by the Federation during the 1980s.

The movie is too big to render in one piece but take the time to view the two parts; we’re sure you’ll find it interesting.

Part 1

Part 2

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors has finally its move to new premises.

New NFDC president David Darsey and Mike Penning MP oversee the official opening of the new Resurgam House, home of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors.

A large crowd of members and well-wishers attended the opening:

The NFDC also used the official opening to make some significant charitable donations to both the Dwarf Athletic Association and the Lily Foundation:

The controlled demolition of a tower block viewed from two vantage points.

Churchills Steeplejacks’ training achievements rewarded with platinum award

Churchill Steeplejacks UK Ltd has become the proud recipient of the CSCS Platinum Award that recognises a companies achievement in attaining more than a 90 percent ratio of it’s workforce being CSCS accredited card holders.

Click here for full details.