Safety First

More than 100 demolition industry professionals gathered in Atlanta Oct. 15-17 for the National Demolition Association’s 14^th Annual Demolition Academy.

The event, formerly known as the Safety Summit, included three days of safety-focused workshops, safety and management training and networking activities.

The first day of the event included OSHA’s 10-Hour Demolition Specific training and aerial lift training for certification, as well as confined space rescue training.

Safety was the primary focus of the event’s programming, and workshop topics ranged from rental equipment safety to a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of different fabrics used in disposable protective suits.

Attendees were encouraged to think about safety beyond following regulations for wearing correct gear and safe operation of equipment. Wearing required safety gear and enforcing regulations are key, but working safely also extends to awareness of the site around you, said Byron Atkins, regional safety director for Sunbelt Rental’s Southern regions. Putting safety first means always stopping to think, “What if?” according to Atkins. Surveying a site and being aware of potential hazards like live power lines and subtle changes in grade take only minutes and can help prevent accidents, he said. “You always have a choice,” Atkins said. “You can think about it and do it right.”

Workshops were also available that addressed management-level training from legal issues of criminal and civil liability to managing stress in the workplace.

The Demolition Academy was held Oct. 15-17 at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta. More information is available at the National Demolition Association’s Web site www.demolitionassociation.com.