How NOT to demolish a chimney

Here at C&D we have been involved in a number of chimney demolitions over the years (and some that did not go exactly to plan) and we always have a plan B just in case.

As this film shows, explosives do not always do the job. So often an excavator is part of that plan B, but the excavator needs to be tall enough to reach the top of the chimney, have a competent trained driver and a demolition engineer must write the method statement, none of which actually happened.

This driver is very stupid and very, very lucky.

Life is too short as it is without dropping a brick chimney on your head. Think before you Act.

You can watch another video complete with a full explanation of what happened over on Facebook.

Local man died from asbestos-related disease brought on by working in the demolition industry

Barry Ellis (66), from Pattingham and Clive Alister Brogan (72), from Telford had their deaths ruled as due to industrial disease by a coroner recently. In both cases it was due to exposure to asbestos.

In the case of Mr Ellis, a postmortem revealed pneumonia and lung disease from asbestosis. His exposure was traced back to working at three different firms including Willenhall-based Swinnerton & Miller where he worked as an explosives and demolition engineer (1969-72).

Such deaths no longer need to happen. We know the risks and we know how to avoid exposure. Don't be one of the 4,000 people who die in the UK each year from an asbestos related disease - book your asbestos awareness course now by emailing stuart@demolishdismantle.co.uk

Source: Express & Star

High reach demolition presentation 12th June

A date change has occurred for the talk being given by Robert Powell of DSM Demolition. The presentation, which focuses on BS6187:2011, high reach demolition and demolition by designed collapse mechanisms, including explosives, will now take place on the 12th June.

The venue is as follows:

Sixways Stadium,
Warriors Way,
Worcester, WR3 8ZE

If you would like to attend please get in touch with Jo Webb at jwebb@ciob.org.uk or on 0845 070 6137.