Want to get in shape? Then pick up that sledgehammer and let Holt Webb show you how.

To bring you the latest demolition news from across the globe, we have set in place a huge number of continual news search devices that alert us each time certain key phrases are mentioned. Unfortunately, this means that our inbox is often inundated with references to demolition derby events or links to websites claiming that the 9/11 attacks were a controlled demolition.

But, every once in a while, these searches also turn up an odd gem, such as this short video by a guy called Holt Webb in which he espouses the keep-fit benefits of demolition work. Quite how he explains the shape of some members of the demolition community who knock out door frames merely so they can get through them, we’re not sure. But the video is pretty good anyway:

Report into fatal collapse will help strengthen future Malaysian demolition law.

The comprehensive report on the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket building was today presented to and accepted by the cabinet. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the investigation committee had worked on four terms of reference.

They were to investigate the cause of collapse, identify the parties involved and their role, examine whether the existing laws, regulations, guidelines and code of practice had been complied with and make recommendations to prevent future recurrence of such incidents.

Click here for further details or see below for a video of the fateful event:

A new video highlights the sheer diversity of a day in the life of a demolition professional.

He’s done it again! Stephen Sette Ducatti, master of the video camera and a man with an eye for demolition, has produced a new video that highlights the number of different and disparate jobs undertaken by the average demolition contractor.

Jobs included here are Iron Arranger, Copper Collector, Metal Burner, Building Wrecker, Water Tower Tipper, Warehouse Destroyer, Bridge Dismantler, Dust Distributor, Hose Wrangler, Machinery Assembler, Brick Sorter, Furnace Fileter and an Oil Tank Shredder.

Take a look:

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Presence of asbestos slows demolition works at Tennessee college.

Walters State Community College’s demolition project has been slowed by asbestos removal, according to Dr. Wade McCamey, WSCC president. McCamey spoke about the demolition project at the annual fall faculty and staff luncheon of the college’ Greeneville campus.

He said safe removal of the asbestos in the 65,000 square metre oldest portion of the former hospital building is taking an extra three to four weeks to complete.

Read the full story here.

JCB first global manufacturer to harness power of the Demolition News directory

The Demolition News Business Directory has received the ultimate UK seal of approval; it has been attracted a listing from leading UK manufacturer JCB.

The company has been a keen advocate of Demolition News since its inception, providing us with a wide variety of exclusive videos and photos. And it has now become the first global equipment manufacturer to sign up to what is fast-becoming a key information source for the demolition industry.

“When we first introduced the Business Directory service, we deliberately avoided promoting it to equipment manufacturers and dealers as there are plenty of other equipment-focused websites out there,” says Mark Anthony. “However, with the steady increase in traffic to the site, the increasing presence in the US and the high level of quality comment and feedback at Demolition News, JCB has decided that it wants to be a part of the action. And we’re delighted to welcome them aboard.”

Arsenic, benzene and vinyl chloride found amidst &D waste at 30 Ohio landfills.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency found a lot more than old concrete, bricks and lumber at 30 landfills it inspected. The EPA says arsenic, benzene and vinyl chloride – all suspected carcinogens – and lead, which can damage the brain and nervous system, were found in the water trickling through the rubble.

At each of the surveyed landfills, including two in central Ohio, officials found as many as 29 pollutants at levels that exceed drinking-water health limits, pollution standards for streams, or both.

Read the full story here.

Riverside Environmental Services becomes latest company to join our Business Directory.

In the demolition environment, there are certain things you really want to avoid: anthrax, legionella, vibration white finger, asbestos or a run-in with the Health and Safety Executive.

Thankfully, Riverside Environmental Services, the latest addition to our growing Business Directory, can help you with all of these, plus a whole lot more besides.

To find out more, just pop over to the Business Directory. Or, for the more social networking aware among you, check out Riverside’s excellent presence on Facebook for all the latest health and safety news.

We thank them for their support.

WRAP unveils new tool to provide details of C&D waste recovery levels.

Waste management contractors and MRF operators working in the construction industry can now offer their clients complete transparency on the recovery rates achieved on their behalf, thanks to an innovative measurement tool being launched by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

The freely available Site Specific Waste Analysis Tool (SSWAT) allows waste contractors to track each consignment of construction, demolition and excavation waste processed at their facilities, reporting exactly how – and in what quantities – the materials have been recovered. Historically, it has been rare for operators to offer customer-specific recycling information of this type, relying instead on monthly or quarterly figures based on total throughput.

Further information can be found here.

The new Demolition Digest blog post on high reach guidance is now live.

Our latest contribution to Construction Equipment’s superb blog area is now live and available to read.

Following a lively recent debate about the apparent reluctance of some US demolition contractors to adopt the use of high reach demolition excavators, we were somewhat surprised (but nonetheless proud) that the US’ National Demolition Association was about to adopt an Americanized version of the NFDC’s High Reach Guidance Notes on which we were a co-author.

To find out more, and to possibly secure yourself a copy of that original – and still unique – guidance, please visit the Demolition Digest.

We’ve just received notice that the new DemoBoys website is now LIVE!

We reported last week that the demolition business was about to get a fashion makeoever, thanks to the good people of DemoBoys and their new line of t-shirts. Well, after an extraordinary level of response both here in Europe and in the company’s native US, their website has just gone live.

Please go take a look (and keep checking back – I have it on pretty good authority that the company has some exciting new products planned for its Fall/Winter collection)