Demolition needs ‘new world standard’

A leading North American demolition safety expert has called for a “new world standard” to highlight best practice in the industry.

Speaking at today’s European Demolition Association (EDA) convention in Vienna, Austria, Mike Casbon of USA-based consultant ERM urged his hosts and similar bodies to join forces and bring safety to the fore of demolition.

“What I want to know is why we, as an industry, have shied away from best practice? Where in the world is the compendium that says ‘this is how we do demolition’?

“Groups like the EDA need to come together and say that these are the new world standards – not to give away any secrets but to show our best practice.”

Mike, presenting on developing a safety manual for demolition operators, drew on his own experience as the head of the US National Demolition Association committee that produced exactly such a document.

“I developed a safety manual for the demolition industry, but the biggest consumers of it were lawyers.

“The most comprehensive manual I’ve ever seen was in Germany. We called it ‘The Bible’, but worldwide there is a large gap between what’s around.

“We need government agencies to help us with our standards, because otherwise what we will find is another group comes along and sets standards that aren’t right for us.

“Best practice is not just in Austria and the US, it’s everywhere. And when we see demolition going on between countries, it’s not a lot different – and it’s not a huge step to bring it all together.”