If a near miss is a learning opportunity, why is it that one industry wears its near-misses on its sleeve while another remains determined to keep them away from prying eyes?

That is a question we will examine next, on the NEW Demolition News podcast.

Last night, I listened to a Content with Media podcast that talked about how the construction industry charity - The Lighthouse Club - is attempting to help workers and their families impacted by the Coronavirus whilst trying to plug a financial hole in the charity's coffers also caused by the pandemic.    

Today's episode of the Demolition Daily LiveStream is my reaction to that podcast.  

You can hear that podcast right here:  https://tinyurl.com/yc8hobrt

In today's episode, we look at the industry's response - or lack thereof - to the COVID-19 threat and the ongoing failure to close all non-essential sites.

We also welcome guests Mike Kehoe of &D Consultancy and David Cant of Veritas Consulting to discuss the health and safety implications of the Coronavirus and how this outbreak might change attitudes in the future.

We have a bumper edition of the Demolition Daily LiveStream for you today with no less than three (count them, THREE) guests.

This episode features Danny Kearney of Prosafe Consultants who talks about the likely mental health impact of the current COVID19 lockdown upon demolition and construction workers. 

We speak to self-employed and self-funded excavator operator Nigel Williams who yesterday parked up “Kelly the Kobelco” and who currently has no idea when he might return to work. And, if you fast forward to the 26.45 mark, you can hear Maylarch chairman Nick Williamson sharing his thoughts on how the asbestos industry might be of assistance during this unprecedented crisis.

Although this episode suffered an attack of the gremlins halfway through, the content of our latest daily LiveStream is still worth a listen.

Our guest - operator Nigel Williams - was cut-off in the midst of all this so we will be revisiting him soon.

In direct response to the COVIFD-19 outbreak, DemolitionNews has committed to producing a daily LiveStream to help keep the industry informed during this unprecedented criss.

The first issue is reproduced in audio-only format here (you can watch the video edition here).

We will be broadcasting live on our Facebook page each day at 3pm (UK time).   You can watch, comment and even appear on the show.

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors was born out of the Second World War; the industry coming together for the greater good to make safe buildings damaged in the Blitz on London.

And now, as the country finds itself facing the COVID-19 threat, that same spirit is driving a campaign to source vital PPE for front-line NHS staff.

That campaign is led by Paul Ford of DE Group, and by Cantillon managing director Paul Cluskey.

We caught up with Paul just a few moments ago to find out more about the campaign.

Please take a few minutes to give this a listen and – just as importantly – please share it with those in the demolition or the wider construction industry.

This is a vital campaign that could save lives.

Expecting major and Tier 1 construction companies to adopt and abide by a fair payment scheme that truly benefits their sub-contractors and suppliers is like asking turkeys to vote in favour of Christmas and Thanksgiving.

In truth, the only way that SMEs - which make up around 85 percent of the UK construction industry - will see an improvement in payment terms and an end to slow payments and retentions is for them to unite to demand change.

On 17 March 2020, the demolition world's favourite demolition TV show returns to Quest TV.

Scrap Kings returns bigger and better then ever before.   Ahead of the new series, we caught up with series producer Nigel Gainsborough to find out what the new series has in store.

It was a short month, plagued by atrocious weather.   The Coronavirus was giving economists the jitters around the world.   And the UK construction industry ignored all of that to notch up more than £7.0 billion in new contract to build upon the £7.8 billion logged in January 2020.

Builders's Conference CEO Neil Edwards looks over the figures as the Demolition News Radio Business Briefing returns.