Top Demolition Fails and How They Could Have Been Prevented

Posted On: February 23, 2018

Demolition accidents that involve explosives and other powerful equipment can lead to serious accidents or fatalities if safety precautions are ignored. The main causes of death and injuries following failed demolitions include:

Premature detonation
Premature collapse of structures
Falls from scaffolding and other platforms installed for workers

If workers are not trained to prepare for these anomalies during detonations, the shock alone might lead to debilitating injuries even if the explosion fails to affect them. To prevent this, workers should be informed of demolition plans beforehand, and they should also undergo thorough safety training procedures. In addition, they should also be given ample time to clear the demolition site and a risk assessment should be performed to determine issues that can delay operations or cause harm. If these precautions were taken beforehand, the following demolition accidents may have been prevented:

A structure undergoing demolition ended up collapsing on a Salvation Army store, trapping dozens of people under the rubble. Six [6] people were killed with another fourteen [14] injured. The store was open for business during the accident since workers failed to warn store owners about the demolition beforehand.
A hospital implosion failed when authorities decided to make it a spectacular event. The building failed to disintegrate properly and had to be demolished manually later. However, since the explosion was not contained properly, large pieces of debris were hurled onto the 100,000 spectators that were gathered 500 meters away. A 12-year-old girl was killed on the spot, and 9 other people were injured.
The famous Silverdome failed to disintegrate properly after rigged explosives were detonated. Most of the charges failed to go off and the upper section of the stadium remained intact. The demolition started with a partial implosion that was supposed to bring down that section but failed.
The demolition of an old factory in Turkey almost ended in tragedy when instead of disintegrating, the structure toppled over on its side and rolled onto its roof. The rolling building came very close to homes near the demolition site. If it hadn’t been blocked by a wall, the structure might have rolled over an entire residential block, crushing residents in its wake.
A building that was to be demolished in China failed to disintegrate completely due to a technical fault. Half of the structure collapsed but the other half was left intact, albeit leaning precariously. It had to be manually demolished with a crane later.

These incidents could have been prevented with the implementation of appropriate safety procedures and training. Conducting a risk assessment beforehand can highlight variables, weaknesses, and the presence of hazardous material that can harm spectators and workers alike.

360Training’s 10-hour General Industry Outreach Training Program

According to OSHA, outreach training programs are necessary when it comes to increasing awareness about occupational safety. 360Training’s 10-hour General Industry Outreach Training program is designed to educate workers on OSHA policies, standards, and procedures along with general safety measures and workplace practices.

360Training’s 10-hour General Industry Outreach Training program is designed to educate workers on OSHA policies, standards, and procedures along with general safety measures and workplace practices. Click To Tweet

The course spans 10 hours and focuses on areas that adhere to OSHA standards and regulations when it comes to safety in workplaces such as demolition sites. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a completion card certifying that they have cleared it. The main objectives of the course include:

Increasing awareness regarding OSHA inspections and priorities
Effective fire protection practices
Determining major hazards associated with construction work
Handling hazardous materials and chemicals
Understanding the rights of employees and the duties of employers/supervisors
Understanding electrical hazards and how to prevent them
Understanding the need and value of PPE or personal protective equipment
Understanding the basics of safety and health in the workplace
Understanding types of walking surfaces and how to scale them safely
Hazard communication and its importance in high risk sites
Understanding emergency action plans and their importance

On completing the course, students must give a final exam which they have to pass with a 70% score to be eligible for the completion card. Students can take the exam 3 times at most to get a passing score. The course does not require any pre-requisites and is ideal for entry-level employees. Sign up for 360Training’s 10-hour General Industry Outreach Training program today, and ensure demolitions do not end in tragedies.