Demolition Association Considers QC Initiative

A possible quality control initiative and a new logo were the main topics at the recent meeting of National Demolition Association’s (NDA) Board of Directors in Cancun, Mexico.

The board discussed at some length the possibility of formulating an industry quality control initiative. Such an initiative could address a perception by some in the construction world that demolition is not a skilled trade, or that there is no uniform set of quality control standards used by practitioners in the demolition industry.

According to some of the board members, this concept goes all the way back to the association’s founding more than 30 years ago. It was decided then that educating association members on the need for quality work would be a primary focus of the group. For now, the board has to consider recommending standards for demolition contractors. In addition, there may be a campaign to provide general contractors information on how to choose a demolition contractor.

The new NDA logo, which is scheduled to be unveiled at the association’s Annual Meeting in early March in Las Vegas, is part of the repositioning of the NDA when it changed its name earlier in 2004.

A two-hour discussion at the board meeting preceded settlement on a final design. This followed another two-hour debate at the NDA’s board meeting in Atlanta in September of 2004. But the board of directors wanted to make sure the logo reflected the future vision of the NDA. The association’s governing body recognizes that no matter what design is chosen, some members may object and prefer the old model. But the new design incorporates some parts of the old logo and will reflect the association’s tagline, “Preserving the past, preparing the future.”

The board also heard several committee reports, including news from the Membership Services Committee that the NDA now has 841 members. The Awards Committee reported that here are three new lifetime achievement award nominees joining 10 hopefuls from previous years who are still eligible.

The Safety Committee has just added two new Safety Talks subjects, one on confined space safety and another on lifts. And the Recycling Committee provided information on the Federal Highway Administration report on recycled concrete use and barriers to use in highways. A list of recyclers in the U.S. was also presented.