2010-03-11 15:07:35 Dorton Group tag:dortongroup.com tag:108

During the later part of 2009 the Dorton Group expanded its geographical coverage by opening an additional office in Plymouth. This investment in the business has enabled the company to offer a more efficient and effective customer service covering the South West. Our contact for this region is Frank Smalley who has worked this area for most of his life and has an excellent in depth knowledge of both the area and the industry.The Dorton Group is very pleased to have Frank working with us to further develop and grow the business in this region, and with his many years of experience, being well respected and always available for business enquiries, we plan to be of continued service to existing and new clients.For further information contact:South West Office Riverford House, Forresters Business Park, Estover Close, Estover, PLYMOUTHDevon PL6 7PLTel: 01752 695562Fax: 01752 695739

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:107

Demolition Awards 2009Dorton Group are delighted to announce that our submission in the 'Training' category, for the prestigeous D & R i Demolition Awards 09, which is supported by the European Demolition Association has been included in a shortlist of three.The winner of the award will be announced during the 'Demolition Summit' which takes place on Friday 6th November 2009 at the Hotel Okura, Amsterdam.  The award will be presented at the Demolition Awards dinner that evening.Full details of the shortlist for this award and other awards given on the night, can be found at the following link:www.khl.com/magazines/demolition-and-recycling-international/detail/item43922/Demolition-Awards-shortlists-determined   

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:105

Definition of WasteEnvironment Agency v Inglenorth Limited ( 2009 )A ground breaking piece of case law has been made recently following the dismissal of the EA's appeal against the findings of the initial magistrates court regarding a case taken against Inglenorth Limited a demolition and recycling company in the north west of england.  Inglenorth demolished a greenhouse at site A for their client and transferred the materials to site B for reuse as hardcore in a car park area.  The EA prosecuted Inglenorth under ss. 33(1)(a) ( failure to hold a waste management licence for the deposit of the waste ) and 34(1)(a) Environmental Protection Act 1990 ( EPA ) ( failure to take reasonable measures to prevent a third party from breaching the EPA ).  The magistrates found the defendants not guilty on the basis that the material was not 'waste' as defined by the 'Waste Framework Directive' and s.75 (2) EPA.  Under this legislation, 'waste' is defined as any substance or object in the ( non-exhaustive ) categories set out in the ( schedules to the EPA ) which the holder discards or intends to discard or is required to discardI ( emphasis added ). The details of the case are suprisingly straightforward and although the EA endeavoured to muddy the waters by bringing into question storage times and immediate use the high courts dismissed the case and directed that no further appeal could be taken through the House of Lords.  The clear message that this case sends is that where there is no intention at any time to discard demolition materials because those materials are to be recycled, reused and or reclaimed, then they cannot and are not to be classed as 'waste'.  Demolition contractors have obviously a great deal to benefit from this decision and where there is evidence in place to show an intent to reclaim and reuse the onerous conditions set by the Waste Management Licensing Regulations will not come into play.  However, there are or could be some instances where, through circumstances or site conditions,  this may be difficult to prove and demolition contractors would be well advised to take each site or case on its merit.

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:104

Dorton Group Win Prestigeous Training Award Demolition & Recycling International magazine in conjunction with the European Demolition Association (EDA) have created the very first ‘Demolition Awards’ that have been judged by industry experts. The prestigious Training Award has been won by Dorton who were judged to have submitted an outstanding entry to demonstrate a real commitment to training and industry standards. The award was given from a world wide entry of 40 companies with a short list of three being drawn from Dorton Group, Keltbray and Cuddy Group.Duke Harvey and Terry Quarmby received the prize from the President of the EDA Yves Canessa at the world famous Okura Hotel in Amsterdam on Friday 6th November 2009. Because of the number of entries received and their overall high standard, it was felt that the judges ought to be able to make subsidiary awards when two or more entries were of almost equal standard and thus were born the ‘Highly Commended' awards - a total of seven of these were made in addition to the 12 main awards.Demolition Awards - the winners at a glance:Demolition Company of the Year - SafedemHighly Commended: Cantillon Ltd  Demolition Contract of the Year - KeltbrayHighly Commended: Carl Bolander & Sons, McGee GroupDemolition Safety Award - DH Griffin of Texas  Demolition Training Award - Dorton GroupHighly Commended: Cuddy Group Demolition Personality Award - Dr Dietrich Korth, ASCO GmbH Environmental & Recycling Award - Costello Demolition  Explosive Demolition Award - Safedem  Industrial Demolition Award - General Smontaggi  Urban Demolition - Keltbray Innovation Award-Series Product - VolvoHighly Commended - Omlock Innovation Award - Rusch Special ProductsHighly Commended: Liebherr France SAS, Kocurek Excavators Ltd Service & Support Award - Liebherr France SAS  

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:91

Health & Safety Executive Annual Report 2008 / 2009On 1 April 2008, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) merged to form a single regulatory body, retaining the HSE title, with the overall purpose of the prevention of death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities in Great Britain. This is the first Annual Report since the merger and it summarises the ‘new’ HSE’s performance during 2008/09, together with the valued work that we undertake in partnership with local authorities, trade unions, other parts of government and other public and private sector stakeholders. We recognise that during the year unprecedented economic circumstances have emerged mwhich inevitably create significant pressure on organisations to reduce costs. It is, therefore, essential that health and safety remains high on the agenda as a driver of business benefit not a cost or ‘burden’.While HSE uses a range of influencing techniques and interventions, when it is clear that failure to comply with workplace health and safety regulations may put the lives of others at risk we have taken – and will continue to take – enforcement action. Based on the latest statistics for 2007/08, HSE issued 7715 enforcement notices and prosecuted 1137 employers. Those organisations found guilty were fined £10 819 475 for breaching health and safety law. Investigation and, ultimately, prosecution not only secures justice but is also vital if we are to learn from events and share the knowledge to prevent recurrence in similar circumstances.Feedback from our stakeholders tells us that the majority value HSE’s work highly. We have, however, increased our activity to counter inaccurate and often misleading claims in some sections of the media about alleged overzealous health and safety regulation by successfully promoting our message of a sensible and proportionate approach to risk management Industry and the workforce have changed over the years, with a growth in hazardous industries such as recycling and waste management. We also have more small businesses and a more diverse workforce. This necessitates new approaches to managing risks but within a regulatory framework that remains fit for purpose. Our task, therefore, is to find new, effective and innovative ways to engage current and future workforces to: reduce the number of injuries and cases of ill health; recognition of what real health and safety is about; motivate all those in the health and safety system as to how they can contribute to an improved health and safety performance; and ensure that those who fail in their health and safety duties are held to account.

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:77

IDE AGM at the Ironmongers Hall, London On Friday the 13th November the annual general meeting and luncheon took place at the prestigeous  and historic Ironmongers Hall in the Barbican, London.  Despite the date, the event went without a hitch and the luncheon was a huge success.  The guest speaker Dominic Allen, a new world explorer, enterained the audience with an inspiring after dinner talk.  There were a total of 28 new and newly qualified member certificates that were awarded on the day with two new Fellows, David Darsey and John Woodward, being announced.It was also the end of a 25 year period of activity for Hon' Treasurer John McGregor, who was hanging up his mattock to spend a well earned retirement drinking wine and playing golf.  John, who was a great servant to the Institute, will be sorely missed but we all wish him and Kay his wife good luck for their future.At the AGM, earlier in the day, the Institute business concentrated on the state of the Institute, a talk delivered by the President Terry Quarmby, the past and present seminar & roadshow events, outlined by the Events Director John Wodward and membership matters which were explained by the Membership Chairman Steve Jack.  Terry Quarmby also gave everyone a timely reminder regarding waste and legislation whilst Hon Treasurer John McGregor sobered the event by advising on the Institutes funds and a small matter of dwindling interest rates on monies invested.

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:63

WRAP Designing out WasteDesign for Reuse and RecoveryResearch has identified that the reuse of material components and/or entire buildings has considerable potential to reduce the key environmental burdens (e.g. embodied energy, CO etc,) resulting from construction. Much of this is common senseas, with reuse, the effective life of the materials is extended an thus annualised burdens are spread over a greater number of years. Reuse, in the waste hierarchy (see Figure 2) is generally preferable to recycling, where additional processes are involved, some of which will have their own environmental burdens. In construction, reuse may imply the reuse of existing materials on site (the focus of this section of the guide) or the use of ‘new’ materials that contain a high level of recycled material (often referred to as ‘recycled content’). Of course, reuse of existing materials is not simply limited to immediate on site material or components, but also to the reuse of materials and components that have been salvaged from other sites. Extensive guidance on materials with recycled content can be found in the following WRAP publications: Setting a requirement for recycled content – summary. Setting a requirement for recycled content in building projects. Recycled content product guide. Reclaimed building products guide. Please visitThe first consideration of Design for Reuse and Recovery starts with the site analysis, a site visit being perhaps one of the very first activities carried out prior to design. The reuse of buildings (if any on the site, including parts of buildings) and or existing materials to accommodate the client’s requirements should be considered from this very early stage (typically Stage A-C in the RIBA Plan or Work). If the decision is made that only a new building will satisfy the client’s requirements, demolition and site clearance consequentially follow. Even in these instances the following questions should be asked: Where opportunities exist for reusing materials and/or components, these will need to be reviewed to ensure that they meet the required functionality of the new building design. Where no such opportunities exist, then the architect should advise the client and/or the demolition contractor as appropriate and promote good practice in the demolition to ensure maximum recovery of materials through recycling. For further guidance refer to the WRAP publication Environmental impact of higher recycled content.www.wrap.org.uk/construction for more information.– a step by step guidance: The efficient use of materials in regeneration projects.Key questions Can materials from demolition of the building or other phases be Can reclaimed products or components be reused? When materials are reused, can they be reused at their highest valueCan any excavation materials be reused? Can cut and fill balance be achieved? How can it be optimised to avoid removal of spoil from site?

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:62

The Environment Agencies Position on Plasterboard to Landfill Purpose of this noteThis statement summarises how we will regulate the landfilling of waste containing or consisting of gypsum in England and Wales. If such wastes are disposed of with biodegradable wastes it can lead to the production of odorous and toxic hydrogen sulphide gas. To reduce the impact of this waste we want to ensure that it is managed properly. This position supersedes all previously issued regulatory positions connected with the landfill of gypsum waste. We are developing guidance with industry on the management of ‘other high sulphate bearing waste’ that will be available soon.Regulations‘Non-hazardous gypsum-based and other high sulphate bearing materials should be disposed of only in landfills for non-hazardous waste in cells where no biodegradable waste is accepted’.Limits apply to organic carbon in waste to be deposited in such cells.We had been taking a pragmatic view that separate disposal is not necessary where construction waste contains small amounts (up to 10%) sulphate. This was a working guideline that we always planned to review in response to scientific research.The results of this research will be available soon (Sulphate Bearing Waste: Determination of a Concentration Limit for Separate Disposal). It will confirm that the relationship between sulphate in waste and the production of hydrogen sulphide gas is complex, but will conclude that we cannot set a practicable limit for gypsum wastes. We are therefore revising our guidance to remove the 10% guideline value.Our intention is to encourage the reuse and recycling of more gypsum and other high sulphate bearing waste while reducing the potential production of hydrogen sulphide gas at a landfill.This position applies to loads of waste containing identifyableHow do I manage my waste gypsum-based materials?All waste destined for disposal to landfill must be treated. We have produced guidance that is available at:The Landfill Directive sets out the general conditions for the landfilling of waste with the aim of minimising the impact of landfill on the environment and to encourage waste minimisation and recycling. set out the criteria for the acceptance of gypsum and other high sulphate bearing wastes at landfill: The landfilling of gypsum and other high sulphate bearing wastes with biodegradable waste has been prohibited in England and Wales since July 2005. gypsum-based materials (e.g. plasterboard). This material must not be landfilled with biodegradable waste. Producers of gypsum waste should separate it for recovery and recycling wherever possible. Where a load of gypsum is sent to landfill it must be deposited in a separate cell with waste that does not have a biodegradable content that exceeds specified limits. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1745440/444663/landfill/1789720/?version=1&lang=_eThe simplest method of treating gypsum waste is to separate it from other waste at the point of production. You could also send your waste to a contractor to sort it for you at a waste transfer facility. Separated gypsum waste can be recycled or reused, for example in the manufacture of plasterboard or for agricultural soil treatment. You can get more guidance on managing gypsum waste and alternative uses for it, from WRAP. See:www.wrap.org.uk If you are a producer of construction and demolition waste, including a waste transfer facility: If you are in England and your construction project is worth more than £300,000 you must have a site waste management plan (SWMP). See the Netregs web site at:http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/legislation/380525/1555007/ You must try to separate the gypsum-based material from other wastes so that it can then be either recycled / reused or can be disposed of properly at a landfill. You must not deliberately mix gypsum waste with other construction and demolition waste at a waste transfer facility. You must comply with your Duty of Care and only pass your waste on to someone who is an authorised carrier. You must try to recycle and treat as much of your other wastes as possible, for example by separating at source or by passing it on to someone else to treat. You must provide your waste carrier with a full description of your waste and the treatment that it has received. He can give you a form to complete, or you can use our own treatment confirmation form. We have produced ‘Guidance for waste destined for disposal in landfills’:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/wacv2_1006008.pdfIf you are a landfill operator: You must adopt waste acceptance procedures that will identify whether a waste stream contains gypsum-based material. If you accept gypsum waste you must dispose of it in accordance with the waste acceptance criteria and in a separate cell that doesn’t contain biodegradable waste. You must let us know about any non-compliant load and its producer so that we can take action.What you can expect from us We will work with the construction sector, WRAP and the waste management industry to raise awareness of this revised position. We will publish this position that removes the 10% guideline value and encourages waste producers to find alternative management methods for their gypsum waste. After 1 April 2009, if gypsum waste is accepted for disposal in the same cell as biodegradable waste, we will take action in accordance with our enforcement and prosecution policy. We take a pragmatic and proportionate approach to enforcing the Regulations. If occasionally small amounts of gypsum are found in loads of waste being disposed of at landfills, we expect landfill site operators to remind their customers of the requirements. We will take enforcement action against those who deliberately abuse the rules. Landfilling of gypsum waste including plasterboard

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:59

2009 IDE RoadshowsThe first two of three roadshows, so called because of their diverse locations around the UK and organised by the Institute of Demolition Engineers have proved to be a resounding success with members and their guests.  The first of these mini seminars was held at the City Inn, Bristol in early June with the latest in early July at the Manchester Conference Centre.Topical issues for discussion included presentations on Noise and Software Solutions, Redundancy Tribunals, Sustainability, Ecology and Legislatory updates.  A further roadshow is planned for early August at Mercedes Benz World, Weybridge.The IDE flagship seminar is scheduled for Friday 25th September at the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1 Great George Street, London  

2010-03-11 15:07:36 tag:57

As part of its digital media strategy that has resulted in this new website, the Dorton Group also commissioned a re-branding exercise to ensure that the the company's image was in line with its experience and reputation.FrogBox Marketing was appointed to create and implement both  the digital media stratgey and the rebranding of all of the Dorton Group companies including Dorton Demolition and Excavation (Dde), Dorton Asbestos Removal and Management (Das) and Dorton Salvage and Reclamation (Dre).When developing the visual treatment for the Dorton Group brand, the consultancy was keen to retain something of the original. In this instance the DDE letters remain the focus of the identity.The DDE element is reinforced with the creation of a positioning statement. This statement is a concise representation of the ‘emotional’ values of the brand. In this instance, strength through knowledge, organisation and ability. Instead of the traditional 'Demolition and Excavation' moniker that usually accompanies similar organisations, the phrase 'Deconstruction Engineers' was created to communicate the company's professionalism whilst clearly marking its activities. The bold, flat colours with a simple, no nonsense font in the visual representation indicates a strong, organised and confident company that is reliable and efficient. Exactly matching the Dorton Group's core values. 

2010-03-11 15:07:36