Unlike many pictures that are shown on TV, demolition is not all about placing dynamite and watching a tower bloc or a water cooling tower subside into a pile of dust and rubble. Talking to Alan Wilson, Commercial Director of Powell Demolition & Builders soon corrects any impressions that this is the way forward.
He carefully explains that these days, everything is very strictly controlled by health and safety and, if you want to carry out this type of work, then you have to prove that you are fully trained and competent to do the work. Furthermore, in an increasing number of cases, it is not simply a case of clearing the whole site but, rather stripping out the inside of an existing building for re-development, making the building available for re-use.
Alan explains, “Powell Demolition has been in business for over 25 years. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of expertise with regard to all regulatory requirements and customer care, through the dedicated approach to the services provided. A systematic approach to project management is required, from introduction to completion; advising, as necessary, upon Health & Safety, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007), and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. We have invested in our workforce to ensure that they are fully trained, not just in the use of the machinery, but equally importantly in all aspects of safe working practices etc. The majority of our employees were put forward for the ‘Scheme for the Certificate of Competence’ assessment of Demolition Operatives. They all passed the examination. Furthermore, as a Company, we have been awarded the Gold Standard Certificate of Commitment under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).”
Today, demolition work involves a lot more than just the removal of the building. Current environmental legislation requires that all of the material arising from a demolition project is recycled and not just removed to landfill. On every site on which Powell Demolition work, the brick, stone and hardcore is carefully separated into one stream, wood and metal into two further streams and then the final residue into a fourth stream. One hundred percent of the bricks and hardcore is sent for crushing for further use, as are the wood and metal. The remaining mixed waste then goes to a specialist contractor for further sorting and Alan reckons that in excess of 95% of the demolished material is recycled.
Powell Demolition have invested in getting on to the Framework Agreements employed by local authorities to create an approved list of contractors. Alan says that they are now on the Liverpool City Council Framework after a rigorous qualification exercise lasting several months, and are looking to do the same with other local authorities. Powell Demolition have also been working in Knowsley for much of the last 10 years, carrying out a massive clearance programme of domestic housing that has passed its sell by date. This work will come to an end during 2011. Other work that is ongoing has involved inner city housing, including large blocks of flats in Liverpool city centre.
“The work is changing, however, “says Alan. “As the recession continues to bite, more and more companies are going out of business, many of whom are in old buildings, some of which may well be well over 100 years old. Increasingly, we are now being asked to go in and rip out the internal structure of the building so that it can be put to new use – it might be a former factory that is now required for offices or even domestic accommodation. However, we are not just demolition experts.
If required, we can also carry out remedial work including groundworks and fencing.”
The company is proud of its standard of work, which has come about through its investment in its employees, through training and also by a continuing programme of investment in bigger and better equipment. Alan concludes, “We take a great pride in what we do and how we do it. We have only had one notifiable accident in the last five years; we are members of the National Demolition Training Group and are accredited under CHAS and Construction Line. Although much of our work in the last couple of years has been local, we have also worked all over the country, including Wales and Scotland – if the work is there, we will be there!”
For further information please telephone 0151 327 5700 or visit www.powelldemolition.co.uk
