Why Competence Matters Part II

Let me preface my remarks so as not to be misunderstood: the referenced event below is tragic and our company is saddened by the loss of brother in the demolition industry. These remarks place no blame or opinion of fault with regard to the situation as much as highlighting awareness to the imminent dangers associated with demolition work.

A tragic case in Chicago reiterates a posting earlier this month with regard to worker safety and the overall competence of a demolition company.

On Tuesday, August 11, a 35-year-old demolition worker was killed when the front-end loader he was driving fell seven stories at a site on the Near South Side. The man was in a Bobcat that fell seven stories; the victim was pinned in and fire crews had to extricate him from the machine. The employee was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 10:08 a.m.

The companies at the project site were seasoned contrators and well versed in worker safety while demonstrating high competence with similar projects. If a highly regarded company can experience such misfortune that results in the loss of life, it only hardens my argument that expertise far outweighs low bid proposals in choosing a demolition company.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family, friends, and coworkers of the victim.

Why Competence Matters

The demolition industry is often viewed as a “simple” business enterprise where men and machinery haphazardly wreck buildings and move on. In reality, demolition work is far more cerebral; a competent demolition company must employ people who demonstrate strong credentials in architecture, physics, environmental sciences, and mathematics.

Given the current economic difficulties, business entities are seeking value in any deal which requires tapping into cash reserves. When a demolition company is chosen for a project based on low bid proposal rather than factoring in overall aptitude and experience, the results can be catastrophic.

The news out of Cankiri, Turkey points to one recent case. If you have not viewed the AP released video, please cut/paste the link below to YouTube. Neither deaths nor injuries resulted from this demolition mishap.

This project was allegedly slated for a controlled implosion. One empirical observation based on the video points to the gapping/gutted lower portion of the building. It appears as though the company removed key load bearing elements, many that would have been essential for placing explosives. Implosions rely on proper placement and sequencing of blasts. Additionally, the video lacks evidence of multiple detonations which would lead me to conclude that this building was literally standing on one support element. The workers on site who performed the initial gut were most likely in imminent danger throughout the process.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is a proven leader in the demolition industry; our governing motto is “The safety of our works and those around us will drive the decision making process.”