Welcome to the second episode of The Surgery featuring Dr Demolition himself, Dr Terry Quarmby.  

In this episode, Terry explains his many problems with construction companies; the issue of embodied carbon; the ongoing saga of the Didcot Disaster investigation; and what he would do if he was made Minister of Construction.  

So sit back and hear what Dr Terry Quarmby has to say on this all new episode of The Surgery.

Terry Quarmby has spent the past half century working in the field of demolition.  He rose through the ranks to become the President of the Institute of Demolition Engineers while gaining a reputation for his forthright manner and a willingness to express his opinion.   

We decided that opinion required a platform.   And this new show IS that platform.  

During this pilot episode, Terry Quarmby discusses: The impending demise of diesel power; the new National Emergency Services Support Taskforce; industry competence cards; and his reaction to the ongoing investigation into alleged collusion within the UK demolition industry.  

This is Dr Terry Quarmby.   The Surgery is now in session.

In this latest episode of the Saturday Social, we talk (a LOT) about the toxic work environment that still pervades the demolition and construction industry.   During the discussion, we reference a video - You can see that video here.

We’re also joined by our special guest, Al Grierson of Construction Channel Luxembourg.

And we take a trip down memory lane to look at the machines we have loved and the machines we have lost.

The second outing of the Saturday Social covers a broad range of topics including the use of technology in demolition and construction, getting disabled workers back behind the levers of construction equipment, pizzas and donkeys!

The environmentalists and eco-warriors of old used to arrive clutching home-made placards, herbal cigarettes and chains with which to affix themselves to site gates and construction and demolition equipment.

The eco-warriors of today come armed with something far more formidable - Science.

The failure to conclude the Didcot investigation in what will soon be six years speaks to an uncomfortable yet undeniable classism that permeates UK society to this very day.  

The intransigence of the HSE, the police, of MPs and others in authority ultimately proves that those that go to work in suits and ties view those that work in hard hats and site boots as expendable.   As little more than cannon fodder.

How far has the demolition industry really come if the HSE considers it necessary to issue a reminder that buildings can become unstable during demolition?

And just how professional is an industry in which accidents and fatalities are greeted not with a scream of outrage but with a shrug of resignation and familiarity?

What does 2022 have in store for the combined demolition and construction industry?

Joining me to find out is Ben Griffiths of Rye Demolition, Peter Haddock of Content with Media, and Neil Edwards of The Builders' Conference.

The National Emergency Services Support Taskforce (NESST) is the emergency services' emergency service; a hand-picked group of demolition and structural engineering experts able to advice the emergency services  on the integrity (or lack thereof) of a dangerous structure that has been damaged by fire, flood or even terrorist attack.  

You can find out more about NESST here:  https://www.nesst-response.com/

The piling sector is currently facing a severe skills shortage. The demolition sector is currently facing a severe skills shortage.

The piling sector is struggling to recruit young people. The demolition sector is struggling to recruit young people.

The piling sector has an ageing workforce. The demolition sector has an ageing workforce.

Training within the piling sector is to suited to a classroom environment. Training within the demolition sector is not suited to a classroom environment.

The piling sector now has a provisional competence card that is attained via a simulator. And that is where the similarities between the two sectors end.