Alan Ritchie, general secretary of the UK’s Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) has expressed fears that a rise on construction and demolition accidents could be an unforeseen side-effect of the recession that is currently gripping the world’s economy.

Speaking on the union’s regular blog, Ritchie says: “…My union, UCATT, fears the recession could actually make construction sites more dangerous in the medium term. Much of the industry has a macho culture that only pays lip service to health and safety. When times are tight, safety is first to be cut. With thousands of construction workers losing their jobs, those still employed are even less likely to refuse to perform a dangerous task, for fear of being given their cards and told there are plenty of others who will work without complaint…”

No details available on this as yet but worthy of posting anyway.

Our friends at TopSkips bring us the unlikely yet true story that UK local authorities are using anti-terror laws to combat the increasing problem of fly-tipping.

According to TopSkips, a recent survey showed that 77 councils admitted using the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) to crack down on domestic waste, littering or fly-tipping offences.

Full story here.

Back in October, we brought you video footage of what happens when a dozer operator gets angry.

And now comes news of a civil engineer who sought revenge on his estranged wife with the use of a JCB backhoe loader.

UK trade magazine Contract Journal has the full details.

Demolition contractor Clifford Devlin is now able to carry out lineside demolition for rail projects following its accreditation to Link Up V2 – the UK rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme.

The achievement followed a successful audit by Achilles in January 2009. It means Clifford Devlin is able to fully participate in construction and engineering projects for Network Rail and associated rail groups such as the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

“We are delighted to be able to expand our specialist demolition activities to structures located above, below and adjacent to live rail tracks,” said Managing Director, Tim Clifford, “This accreditation allows us to participate fully in rail-related projects.”

London-based Clifford Devlin specialises in delivering logistically difficult, complex, demolition projects which present challenges that arise from restricted working area and the proximity of sensitive receptors.

The company has been involved in a number of high-profile rail-related projects. It recently completed the demolition phase of an office block above Tower Hill Underground station which required the installation of waterproofing and a steel protection deck to protect the ticket office which remained open to the public throughout.

In 2004 it carried out the demolition of a two-storey building and slab structure above Brixton tube station which involved the removal of a staircase between the escalators.

Link-up is the UK rail industry supplier registration and qualification scheme. Originally established over a decade ago, Link-up has made a significant impact to the rail industry by providing a single common qualification process for suppliers that is shared by Network Rail and over 80 rail organisations including Infrastructure Management Contractors, Underground Infrastructure companies, Construction companies and all major Train and Freight Operators.

Having had a small dig at the plant giant (below) for its ill-timed “video of the week”, it seems only fair to redress the balance and highlight something that Caterpillar does spectacularly well.

The company has created a dedicated health and safety website that is simply brimming with video and pdf download goodness.

Anyone in the demolition sector should take a particular interest in this area.