Category: Industrial Demolition

INTRODUCTION

When you think of demolition, the image that might come to mind is one of powerful machines, epic plumes of dust, and towering structures crumbling to earth. But for Total Wrecking, there’s another layer to the story—one that builds up communities and people, not just structures. This is a story of giving, woven into the company’s fabric, reaching far beyond the boundaries of business and into the heart of the communities they serve.

The inspiration for Total Wrecking’s charitable endeavors comes from a very personal place. Frank, one of the founders, recalls a pivotal experience early on with a local food bank that planted the seeds for the company’s philanthropic mission.

Today, it continues to drive the team’s passion for helping those who need it most.

A PERSONAL MISSION THAT SPARKED A COMPANY-WIDE MOVEMENT

The roots of Total Wrecking’s commitment to giving back are deeply personal and intertwined with the life experiences of its founders.

Frank’s early life was marked by significant hardship, including a period when he had to rely on a food bank just to get by. During this time, he lived in a friend’s attic, took odd jobs, and painted houses to make ends meet, which profoundly shaped his empathy and commitment to helping those in need.

Similarly, Sandy’s story is one of perseverance and resilience. Her mother, an immigrant from Sicily, arrived in the U.S. alone at 18, with little knowledge of English and limited resources. She worked tirelessly in a candy factory to support herself and her daughters.

These experiences of overcoming adversity are at the heart of Total Wrecking’s mission to support communities facing similar struggles. Frank and Sandy’s shared backgrounds of resilience continue to fuel the company’s philosophy of paying it forward.

EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Total Wrecking’s philanthropic efforts go beyond monetary donations. Recent initiatives, like their involvement in relief for Hurricane Helene, raised over $15,000 to support impacted communities through the organization Eight Days of Hope.

Just recently, Total Wrecking team members have been working directly on the ground in Florida and the Carolinas providing much-needed aid. They’re also looking forward to annual holiday initiatives at the end of the year, such as creating care packages for elderly community members and involving the team in personal outreach so those in need get to experience genuine human connection during one of the most emotional periods of the year.

One of the things that makes Total Wrecking’s charitable mission truly unique is its team-centered approach. Employees are active participants and drivers of change. Philanthropy at Total Wrecking isn’t a top-down directive but a shared effort, with each team member playing a role in supporting their chosen causes. Employees have the opportunity to refer organizations for monthly donations, ensuring that the causes resonate on a personal level and align with the team’s values.

CHOOSING CAUSES THAT RESONATE

At the beginning of each month, Total Wrecking’s leadership team sits down with employees to consider potential charitable organizations to support. Each suggestion is carefully reviewed, and the selection process is fully collaborative. The team considers a range of factors from the organization’s mission, its alignment with Total Wrecking’s values, and the potential impact of their support.

Whether it’s a local organization focused on helping veterans, a foundation working to end human trafficking, or a relief effort after a natural disaster, each cause is chosen with careful thought and empathy. By giving employees the freedom to advocate for causes close to their hearts, Total Wrecking fosters a spirit of community that goes far beyond the workplace.

By making the selection process personal, Total Wrecking ensures that each charitable act is not only meaningful but also emotionally resonant for the team.

IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES

The culture of giving at Total Wrecking has done more than support those in need; it has transformed the workplace itself. Employees describe a sense of pride in working for a company that prioritizes community impact, and many feel inspired to contribute personally as well. The charitable initiatives give them a chance to step back from their regular roles and engage with something bigger.

The sense of pride that comes from supporting meaningful causes has even led some employees to take on additional roles within charitable projects, such as coordinating volunteer activities or organizing fundraisers.

INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GIVERS

The internal culture fostered by these charitable activities, best conveyed by employees’ independent donations to supported causes after learning about them through company initiatives, reflects the ethos Frank and Sandy aim to cultivate: a team that embodies generosity, understanding that giving back is not just a corporate obligation but a way of life. The leadership’s choice to prioritize community impact sets an example for employees, showing that success is not only measured by business achievements but also by the positive change made in others’ lives.

In many ways, Total Wrecking’s philanthropy serves as a call to action, encouraging employees, clients, and community members to think about the ways they can contribute to causes they care about. By embedding a culture of giving within their business, Total Wrecking is inspiring a ripple effect of compassion and generosity that reaches far beyond their immediate sphere.

TOTAL WRECKING’S ONGOING COMMITMENT

As they plan for the future, Total Wrecking is excited about the ongoing opportunities to give back, from their annual Christmas outreach program to continued support for causes close to their team’s hearts. For Total Wrecking, philanthropy is a core part of who they are, a testament to their values, and a source of hope for the communities they serve.

In the words of Sandy, “It’s not about what we can take down; it’s about what we can build up together.” For Total Wrecking, the true measure of success isn’t just in projects completed or goals met; it’s in the lives they touch and the legacy they create.

INTRODUCTION

Total Wrecking & Environmental prides itself not only on the tenants of safety, integrity, and family, but also as a nationwide leader in both environmental responsibility and cost-efficient demolition services.

One of the biggest differentiators of our demolition services is how we thoughtfully manage investment recovery and asset recovery services, which ensure that plant and building owners extract maximum value from their decommissioned, surplus, or end-of-life assets.

By integrating these services directly into our demolition projects, Total Wrecking helps clients achieve their best possible ROI while being environmentally friendly along the way.

WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL ASSET RECOVERY?

Industrial asset recovery is the identification, evaluation, and strategically managed decommissioning of surplus equipment, machinery, and materials present on every demolition jobsite. The recovery process goes far beyond simple removal and into fully monetized reuse via resale, recycling, or repurposing. Whether it’s salvaging valuable materials like scrap metal or reselling functional equipment, asset recovery plays a pivotal role in reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact. Total Wrecking’s Total Recovery Program combines decades of expertise with a fully managed asset recovery process that helps clients make the most of their unused equipment, machinery, and scrap materials.

THE TOTAL WRECKING ADVANTAGE: EXPERTISE AND CUSTOMIZATION

Total Wrecking’s team of seasoned demo pros bring with them a wealth of knowledge across industries including manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, healthcare, and mining, a combined pool of knowledge that enables them to create unique demolition and asset recovery strategies that meet the one-of-a-kind needs of jobsite.

Our comprehensive asset recovery services include:
• Asset Valuation: Conducting precise market analyses to determine the true value of assets, supported by condition reports.
• Marketing and Sales: Leveraging targeted strategies to connect with buyers and maximize returns through private sales and international markets.
• Decommissioning and Removal: Safely and efficiently dismantling and removing assets from project sites.
• Recycling and Disposal: Using environmentally responsible practices to handle non-sellable or hazardous materials, including scrap metal recycling.

By addressing every aspect of the recovery process, Total Wrecking makes sure that every client enjoys a seamless and profitable experience.

INTEGRATION WITH DEMOLITION SERVICES

Demolition projects often generate substantial volumes of salvageable materials, from structural steel to industrial equipment. Total Wrecking integrates their asset recovery services into their demolition operations to optimize resource management.

Our fully managed approach offers a myriad of upsides to plant and building owners, including:

1. Maximized Value: Assets that might otherwise be discarded are recovered, refurbished, or sold.
2. Streamlined Processes: Combining demolition and recovery services keeps projects on-time and on-budget without operational disruption.
3. Enhanced Sustainability: Materials like scrap metal are recycled instead of ending up in landfills, contributing to environmental remediation efforts.

This dual focus on demolition and recovery ensures that clients receive not only expert demolition services but also significant financial returns on their investments. At the heart of Total Wrecking’s operations is an earnest dedication to regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. Asset recovery projects are conducted in full adherence to all relevant regulations.

Whether it’s through their scrap metal recycling initiatives or their responsible handling of hazardous materials, Total Wrecking prioritizes environmental protection at every stage of the asset recovery process.

A PROVEN, TRANSPARENT PROCESS

The Total Wrecking asset recovery experience is designed to be straightforward and transparent. Clients can expect:

1. Initial Consultation: A collaborative discussion to outline project goals and tailor a recovery strategy.
2. Asset Evaluation: A detailed assessment of assets to determine value, condition, and resale opportunities.
3. Customized Recovery Plan: A step-by-step roadmap that includes timelines, marketing strategies, and expected outcomes.
4. Execution: Comprehensive management of asset recovery logistics, from marketing to removal.
5. Final Report: A comprehensive summary detailing financial returns and environmental impact, ensuring accountability and transparency.

This end-to-end process guarantees clients receive maximum value from their assets without any delays or complications.

INDUSTRIES AND APPLICATIONS

From energy production facilities to transportation hubs, Total Wrecking’s asset recovery services cater to a diverse range of industries. Their flexibility and expertise make them a go-to partner for businesses seeking efficient, sustainable solutions that enhance both their bottom line and environmental impact.

WHY CHOOSE TOTAL WRECKING?

As trusted industrial demolition contractors, Total Wrecking provides a partnership rooted in technical expertise, maximum ROI, and shared success. With their investment recovery services, clients benefit from:

• Increased ROI through strategic resale and recycling.
• Reduced costs and downtime during demolition projects.
• Enhanced sustainability, aligning with modern environmental standards.
• Comprehensive support from a team of industry professionals.

By blending demolition expertise with innovative asset recovery strategies, Total Wrecking ensures that every project yields maximum value.

CONCLUSION

Total Wrecking & Environmental’s asset recovery services represent the gold standard for combining financial prudence with environmental responsibility. Whether you’re preparing for a large-scale industrial demolition or seeking to recover value from unused assets, their Total Recovery Program is a proven solution. For more information, contact our team today.

INTRODUCTION

Total Wrecking & Environmental is a leading industrial and commercial demolition company known for its expertise in large-scale demolition projects and its unwavering emphasis on safety, efficiency, and integrity.

The Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project was one of many Total Wrecking significant undertakings to date, a multi-year project that involved the demolition of three major boilers and associated structures.

Remarkably, the project achieved zero injuries, and the team overcame a litany of unique challenges, not least of which was navigating strict regulations to protect local wildlife, such as ospreys and eagles. Technical challenges also abounded, with the project requiring innovative demolition techniques, including the use of a specialized wrecking ball and precise implosion strategies to bring down large structures safely.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant, located in Lakeland, Florida, has been a significant landmark in the region for decades. This major power-generating facility played a crucial role in supplying electricity to over 200,000 residents and businesses in the surrounding areas and was a massive contributor to the local economy and infrastructure.

Total Wrecking & Environmental was tasked with dismantling three major boilers, along with surrounding precipitators, ICRs, scrubbers, transformers, and administrative buildings, some of which reached up to 13 stories in height. Not to mention, like most industrial demolition projects, the safe handling of hazardous and regulated materials throughout the process.

Over the course of the project, which spanned approximately two years, the team successfully executed multiple implosions and used specialized equipment such as a 32,000-pound “slingshot gravity pendulum” like device and high-reach machinery to bring down these towering structures.

The successful completion of this project not only marked a significant milestone for Total Wrecking but also set a high standard for future large-scale demolition projects, so much so that they received a shortlist nomination in 2024 for the World Demolition Award’s prestigious “Project Over $1,000,000” award.

INITIAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION

The Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project began in May 2022 and spanned over two years, concluding in mid-2024. Initial planning involved comprehensive site assessments, environmental impact studies, and coordination with the city of Lakeland to ensure a smooth and safe operation.

• May 2022: Project commencement with site preparation and initial assessments.
• June 2022: Mobilization of equipment and resources, including the setup of safety protocols and environmental protection measures.
• November 2022: Arrival of Superintendent Steve Schafner and General Superintendent John Spaich who took over on-site leadership.
• March 2023: Completion of the first major implosion, bringing down one of the three 600-megawatt boilers.
• August 2023: Execution of the second implosion, further dismantling significant portions of the plant’s structure.
• February 2024: Final implosion and demolition of remaining structures, including administrative buildings and auxiliary structures.
• June 2024: Project wrap-up, including the removal of debris, site clean-up, and handover to the city of Lakeland.

Throughout the project, Total Wrecking employed a variety of innovative demolition techniques and equipment, most notably a 32,000-pound slingshot gravity pendulum like device adapted from a shaft of an old boiler from a previous project in Jacksonville. The team also had to ensure the protection of local wildlife, such as ospreys and eagles, by adhering to strict environmental regulations.

MAJOR CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Like every industrial or commercial demolition project that Total Wrecking & Environmental undertakes, safety was the paramount concern throughout the Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant project. Given the scale and complexity of the demolition, ensuring that all team members adhered to stringent safety protocols was crucial and the only way to achieve the impressive milestone of zero injuries.

Several strategies were implemented to maintain a safe working environment:

• Comprehensive Safety Training: All workers underwent rigorous safety training, focusing on handling hazardous materials and operating heavy machinery.
• Regular Safety Audits: Daily safety audits were conducted to identify and mitigate potential hazards, ensuring all safety measures were in place and strictly followed.
• Protective Equipment: Workers were provided with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets, gloves, and safety harnesses.
• Safety Briefings: Regular safety briefings were held to keep the team updated on potential risks and safety protocols.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

The Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project began in May 2022 and spanned over two years, concluding in mid-2024. Initial planning involved comprehensive site assessments, environmental impact studies, and coordination with the city of Lakeland to ensure a smooth and safe operation.

Like every industrial or commercial demolition project that Total Wrecking & Environmental undertakes, safety was the paramount concern throughout the Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant project. Given the scale and complexity of the demolition, ensuring that all team members adhered to stringent safety protocols was crucial and the only way to achieve the impressive milestone of zero injuries.

• Monitoring Wildlife Activity: The team monitored the nesting habits of ospreys and eagles, ensuring that demolition activities did not interfere with their mating seasons. Tall equipment was kept lower to prevent birds from nesting on it.
• Coordination with Environmental Agencies: Continuous coordination with environmental agencies ensured that all activities were compliant with regulations protecting wildlife.
• Safe Relocation: During the project, two kittens were found in a pipe and safely removed and adopted, showcasing the team’s commitment to animal welfare.

• PC 1250 Hydraulic Excavator: The PC 1250 is a powerful hydraulic excavator that played a crucial role in the demolition project. This machine is known for its exceptional strength and versatility, allowing it to handle a variety of tasks from breaking up large concrete structures to heavy lifting. Equipped with various attachments such as hydraulic hammers, shears, and crushers, the PC 1250 was instrumental in reducing the plant’s massive structures into manageable pieces.
• Specialized Wrecking Ball: A 32,000-pound slingshot gravity pendulum adapted from the shaft of an old boiler from a previous project was utilized for breaking up concrete turbine pedestals. This unique equipment proved essential in demolishing the large concrete support structures.
• High-Reach Machinery: High-reach demolition machines, equipped with long telescopic booms, enabled a precise top-down demolition approach that minimizes debris and risk of collapse. This method was particularly useful for systematically dismantling the plant’s 13-story boilers and other tall buildings.
• Implosion Coordination: The project required precise planning and execution of multiple implosions. Surgical planning ensured the safe and efficient collapse of the structures without damaging nearby facilities.

COORDINATION WITH THE CITY OF LAKELAND AND DEALING WITH POWER GRID CONNECTIONS

• Power Grid Management: One of the major challenges was working around the active switchyard, handling 23,000-volt wires critical to the power supply for the surrounding areas. Extremely careful planning and coordination was the only way to guarantee the demolition did not interfere with these connections.
• Traffic Management: For certain operations, such as removing conveyor belts that crossed roads, traffic was temporarily shut down, and police coordination was involved to manage the disruptions safely.
• Community Notifications: The team worked with the city’s community relations department to notify residents about the scheduled implosions to minimize any inconveniences and bolster everyone’s safety.
• Exclusion Zones: Exclusion zones were established around the implosion sites to ensure public safety. These zones were carefully monitored, and access was strictly controlled to prevent any unauthorized entry during the implosions.
• Community Viewing Areas: Designated viewing areas were set up outside the exclusion zones, allowing residents to enjoy the spectacle without compromising their safety.

• CDI (Controlled Demolition, Inc.): CDI was brought in for their expertise in controlled implosions and played a critical role in planning and executing the precise implosions of the plant’s major structures. CDI’s experience and technical know-how ensured that the implosions were conducted safely and effectively.
• Dive Teams: To address the unique challenge of blocking off cooling tower water intake and circulation lines leading into the lagoon and canal, specialized dive teams were enlisted to perform delicate underwater operations to seal off the pipes and prevent water contamination.
• Abatement Contractors: An abatement contractor was hired to remove all asbestos materials from the site before demolition, an absolutely essential step for the safety of workers as well as regulatory compliance.
• Concrete Contractors: A concrete contractor was employed to reinforce and prepare structures for implosions, including precision saw-cutting of the stacks to ensure they would fall as planned during the implosion process.
• Paving Contractors: Paving contractors were involved to repair and manage site access roads, ensuring that heavy machinery could be safely and efficiently mobilized around the demolition site.

• Raffle to Push the Implosion Button: One of the unique community engagement initiatives was a raffle, where local residents could buy tickets for a chance to push the button that would trigger one of the plant’s major implosions. This event not only raised funds for local charities but also created a sense of excitement and involvement within the community.
• Charity Donations: The company invited community members to donate to specific local charities for both implosions. This initiative was well-received and demonstrated Total Wrecking’s commitment to giving back to the community.

PROJECT COMPLETION AND OUTCOMES

The final phase of the Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project involved a thorough process of handover and closure so that all aspects of the project were completed to the highest standards and the site was left in excellent condition.

• Documentation and Compliance: Compiling waste manifests, scrap tickets, and any hazardous material removal records was essential for demonstrating regulatory compliance and for the final project audit.
• Site Inspection and Clean-Up: A comprehensive site inspection was conducted to verify that all demolition debris was removed and the site was safe and clean for future redevelopment.
• Client Walkthrough: A final walkthrough with the client, Lakeland management, was conducted to review the completed work, address any remaining concerns, and ultimately hand over the site to management’s satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project stands as a testament to Total Wrecking & Environmental, LLC’s expertise and dedication in the demolition industry.

Throughout the project, the team faced and overcame significant challenges, devised innovative techniques and specialized equipment – like the 32,000-pound slingshot gravity pendulum and high-reach machines – and executed a multi-year, high-stakes project efficiently and safely.

Building on the success of the Lakeland project, Total Wrecking & Environmental plans to continue setting high standards in the demolition industry. The lessons learned and innovative practices implemented during the Lakeland project will serve as a foundation for future projects while always prioritizing that each and every team member returns home safely at the end of each day.

In conclusion, the Lakeland McIntosh Power Plant demolition project has demonstrated Total Wrecking & Environmental, LLC’s ability to tackle large-scale, complex demolitions with precision, safety, and innovation. The company looks forward to building on this success and continuing to lead the industry with its commitment to excellence in every project it undertakes.

INTRODUCTION

Total Wrecking & Environmental is proud to announce that we have earned a prestigious nomination at the 2024 World Demolition Awards! Thanks to the incredibly hard (and surgical) work of a our Lakeland, FL team, TWE has been shortlisted in the “Contract of the Year Over $1 Million” category in recognition of the Unit 1, 2, and 3 demolition at the CD McIntosh Power Station.

This exciting recognition is a testament to Total Wrecking’s expertise, not only in dismantling massive structures but also in navigating environmental regulations and maintaining worker safety on-site. The complex work at the CD McIntosh Power Station is notable for a myriad of significant challenges, including working near live transmission lines and protecting the nearby Tenoroc Public Nature Preserve.

Total Wrecking’s use of innovative demolition techniques, including high-reach equipment and specialized wrecking tools, was absolutely key to overcoming these obstacles, and a hugely prestigious nomination for this global award showcases our ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable demolition solutions that prioritize both safety and environmental stewardship.

The demolition of Units 1, 2, and 3 at the CD McIntosh Power Station demanded meticulous planning and execution reserved for only the most experienced and qualified demolition contractors.

One of the most significant challenges was the proximity of the demolition site to live overhead transmission lines, which supply power to the surrounding areas. These active power lines had to be carefully navigated to avoid disruptions and ensure the safety of workers and the many reliant community members. Even more, the project site bordered the Tenoroc Public Nature Preserve, a sensitive ecosystem of wetlands and lakes that required intense protection from any minor environmental impacts. Total Wrecking took extensive precautions to safeguard this area by complying with stringent environmental regulations to preserve local wildlife and minimize disruption to natural habitats.

The scope of work involved the abatement and demolition of massive structures, including stacks, boilers, cooling towers, coal conveyors, and additional auxiliary equipment. These structures, some towering several stories high, required the use of specialized demolition machinery and techniques to ensure they were safely brought down. The team also handled the removal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, following strict protocols to prevent contamination and ensure worker safety.

By the end of the project, Total Wrecking had met and exceeded the environmental and safety goals set for the demolition, leaving the site cleared and ready for future redevelopment.

Total Wrecking & Environmental deployed a variety of specialized machinery – including a 32,000-pound wrecking ball-like device created from an old boiler shaft and high-reach demolition equipment – to efficiently and safely dismantle towering structures, allowing specialized teams to deconstruct large boilers, stacks, cooling towers, and other infrastructure with precision.

Despite the complexity of the demolition and the hazardous nature of the materials involved, the team achieved a remarkable safety record, with zero injuries reported. Only through comprehensive safety planning, regular on-site audits, and rigorous adherence to industry best practices was this result possible. Every team member was trained to navigate the risks of working near active power lines and handling hazardous materials.

Total Wrecking also demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship through strict environmental regulations that were followed to protect local wildlife, including ospreys and eagles that inhabited the surrounding areas. The team took proactive steps to ensure that demolition activities did not disrupt the local ecosystem, while also repurposing materials from the site. Concrete from the demolished structures was downsized and reused as backfill, reducing waste and contributing to the overall sustainability of the project.

The World Demolition Awards are one of the demolition industry’s most prestigious honors, recognizing excellence in complex, high-profile projects worldwide. Judged by a panel of industry experts with over 300 years of combined experience, the awards celebrate innovation, safety, and environmental responsibility in the demolition sector.

Total Wrecking & Environmental’s nomination for the 2024 “Contract of the Year Over $1 Million” category is a testament to our exceptional approach to high-stake demolition projects, including an unparalleled commitment to safety, use of innovative techniques, and dedication to environmental stewardship. The nomination not only shines a light on the technical skill involved in the CD McIntosh Power Station project but also reflects the company’s broader mission to set new industry standards.

The winners of the 2024 World Demolition Awards will be announced during the World Demolition Summit in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 6-7, 2024. The summit will gather demolition professionals from across the globe to celebrate the achievements of leading companies and share insights on the future of the industry. Whether or not Total Wrecking takes home the award, their nomination alone positions them among the most respected and innovative players in the field.

LOOKING FORWARD: TOTAL WRECKING’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

Total Wrecking & Environmental’s recognition at the 2024 World Demolition Awards underscores our unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier demolition services that prioritize safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility. As we wrap up the CD McIntosh Power Station project and take on new challenges, the team at Total Wrecking remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the demolition industry.

To learn more about the 2024 World Demolition Awards and stay updated on the results, visit the World Demolition Summit website. For inquiries about Total Wrecking & Environmental’s services and upcoming projects, visit their Contact Us page to get in touch with their team.

INTRODUCTION

For the past 10 years, Total Wrecking & Environmental has worked tirelessly to uphold the highest safety standards in the industry, ensuring that every employee on our jobsites is safe, informed, and accountable.

And we took our commitment to safety to new heights this year with our Safety Summit in Stone Mountain, GA.

This was far from your average training seminar; it was a full-company, three-day retreat where every member of the Total Wrecking team from across the country was flown in to immerse themselves in best practices and better get to know the whole team.

Total Wrecking’s most ardent mission is to ensure all team members, as well as their families, are of strong mental health, financially stable, and comfortable within all of their work environments.

This comprehensive summit was a testament to that steadfast dedication to care for your colleagues like they’re family.

The summit was a multi-day, hands-on event that gave the whole Total Wrecking workforce the skills and tools needed to perform their work safely and efficiently.

The intent of the Safety Summit was, first and foremost, to provide necessary training directly related to the work that Total Wrecking performs, the hazards involved, and the steps and means to mitigate those hazards.

In other words, it’s about elevating awareness and empowering each person with a voice. Every member of Total Wrecking’s team needs to have the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of these inherently dangerous industrial demolition sites.

Total Wrecking firmly believes that everyone in the field should feel empowered to be a safety officer and to speak up or act when they see an opportunity.

Listed below are just some of the topics covered during the three-day summit:

• Lessons Learned: Discussing different events on a wide variety of job sites to better learn from past experiences.
• All-Stop Work Authority: Emphasizing the importance of every employee having the power and confidence to call an all-stop.
• Muster Points & Training: Ensuring everyone knows where to gather in an emergency.
• Situational Awareness: Training staff to be aware of their surroundings and potential hazards to avoid them more effectively.
• Environmental Health Hazards: Educating the team on potential environmental hazards and how to mitigate them, including:
– Asbestos Awareness
– PCB Awareness
– Lead Awareness
– Arsenic Awareness
– Cadmium Awareness
– Hexavalent Chromium
– Respirable Silica
• Respiratory Protection: Ensuring workers have the right equipment and training to protect their respiratory system from harmful contaminants.
• OSHA Focus 4: Addressing the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry: falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, and electrocutions.
• Fall Protection: Implementing specific safety protocols and procedures to prevent falls and ensure worker safety at elevated heights.
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response: Training workers to safely handle hazardous waste and respond effectively to emergencies.
• Hazard Communication: Ensuring clear communication about potential hazards so every team member is informed and prepared.
• Emergency Action Plan: Ensuring everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
• Chain of Command: Clarifying the organizational structure and who to report to.
• Team Building: Strengthening the team dynamic and promoting a strong safety culture through communication and trust.

Frank & Sandy Bodami’s career-long dedication to the safety of his team has been paramount for the company, and its impact has been noticed within the industry. Above all else, he states his mission has always been to ensure every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

There may be no other topic as widely discussed right now in any global political sphere as “going green.” Ten years to safely remediate and dismantle every nonrenewable-energy power plant in the United States. Even for those unfamiliar with the complexities, demands, or inner-workings of industrial demolition could probably tell you off-hand that that seems ambitious. But this figure is the very same that’s been cited or benchmarked in various political agendas — both on state and federal levels — for the better part of half a decade now.

With the help of the National Demolition Association, a survey was distributed to nationwide industrial demolition contractors everywhere to get their take on a plan of this scale’s viability. After all, they’re the ones more or less exclusively tasked with the literal heavy-lifting. More than anything, however, what their disparate responses unearthed was a deeply-rooted lack of a common understanding between contractors of various sizes and experience levels.

And, moreover, an inescapable deficiency in the size, experience, and support of the existing workforce to handle a project of this immense magnitude.

The theme of this exploration is “bandwidth” in the industrial demolition industry. In terms of equipment, resources, experience, and most importantly workforce, does an entire industry have the capacity to execute a task this wide-ranging and far-reaching? After all, “non-renewable energy sources,” as various pieces of legislation often cite, most often targets coal and other “dirty” forms of energy, but can also include oil, gas, and nuclear.

Together, these non-renewable power sources continue to have an iron grip on the country’s infrastructure. Coal-fired power stations alone constitute roughly 23% of overall energy production across the United States while nuclear comes in a close second at 20%. Natural gas-fired power plants, which are exponentially more efficient than coal but still non-renewable, are responsible for the largest portion of the nation’s energy consumption with nearly 38% of all energy consumption. Natural gas power plants dwarf the total number of both coal-fired and nuclear power plant facilities across the country.

We asked the 4,500 demolition contractors in the National Demolition Association network a short list of questions that covered three main points:

1. Are there enough qualified demolition contractors to achieve this 10 year goal?
2. Are there enough qualified and experienced employees to safely manage and execute this task?
3. If not 10 years, how long would this take?

Responses fell on an even 50/50 split when broadly asked about the viability of completing a project within 10 years. produced an even 50/50 split: half of the contractors believe it’s possible, half do not. But the ratio skewed the more we zoomed-in on project specifics.

For example, only 30% of respondents believe that the workforce is currently large enough to safely complete a nationwide decommissioning. Funnily enough, when pressed to guess how much bigger the workforce may need to be, only 19% of respondents maintained that the existing population was sufficient. Conversely, 51% believed it would need to be twice as big (the other 30% believed the workforce would need to be around 50% bigger).

The responses grew only more disconnected, revealing a widening gap between the answers of smaller, less-experienced optimistics and long-standing realists. If there was any sort of consensus, it existed somewhere in between a lack of a realistic comprehension about what a proposal of this magnitude implies, and, more urgently, what a piece of such grossly ambitious would demand. The all-hands-on-deck strain it would put on contractors nationwide.

And, more seriously, the immense and inevitable pressure to cut corners, expedite timelines, and deprioritize safety in the interest of meeting an impossibly aggressive timeline. A sad reality of the industry is that not every contractor has the same safety rating, nor the same respect for or adherence to its prioritization.

The last question in our survey circled back to a broad, high-level view at the task. If every single demolition contractor got to work today, how long would this epic decommissioning take? 36% believed that it would take between 15 and 25 years. 32% said upwards of 15 years while 21% believed it would take 25 years or more.

Only 10% held on to the possibility that it could be completed in 10 years or less.

What needs to be kept at the forefront of everyone’s mind is that we’re talking about industrial demolition here. By its very definition, this is one of the most dangerous, hazardous, and life-threatening lines of work anywhere in the world. Safety is absolutely paramount through every single step, an interest religiously protected by a series of extremely delicate, tested, and well-worn processes that ensure projects run smoothly and safely while minimizing any amount of potential risk.

There’s a tragic lesson that’s been learned since the inception of the industry, from the very first time a wrecking ball flew through a wall: the minute a less reputable demolition company begins cutting corners in the interest of saving time or reducing the overall project cost, or making any effort to expedite this or any other crucial phase of the process, people die. There are no two ways about it.

Trying to find creative ways to circumvent that extremely black and white reality is akin to asking a heart surgeon to hurry, or to skip a step. Or do less research before diving in. It’s impossible. And if that surgeon we’re forced to rush or cut corners, the possibility of someone getting seriously hurt is a matter of “when” not “if.”

The last version of a demolition contractor “census” conducted by the National Demolition Association was in October of 2019, when they counted just north of 4,500 demolition companies (comprised of around 25,000 employees) registered across the United States. At first blush, that seems like a formidable army of professionals to tackle the wide-scale dismantling and remediation required.

Total Wrecking and Environmental has made its mark over the last couple of decades handling the largest, most dangerous, and deeply complex projects the industry offers: power plants. Total Wrecking CEO Frank & Sandy Bodami, as well as a handful of other industry-leading power plant demolition experts who contributed to this story, estimate that the realistic number of companies with the necessary size, expertise, equipment, infrastructure, and training to safely complete work of this magnitude is much closer to 15. Meaning the mammoth task at-hand falls on far fewer shoulders.

The safe remediation, demolition, and redevelopment of smaller sites that power factories, mills, or schools take on average 6-8 months to complete for a company of Total Wrecking’s nationwide reach and expertise. Bigger industrial power plants, however, like the ones that power entire cities, easily require 1-3 years to complete. Even for Total Wrecking, among the most reputable, capable, and well-equipped demolition companies in the country, two or more simultaneous power plant demolitions would be enough to stretch them to their infrastructural limits. Any more volume than that poses the very real, and incredibly dangerous, risk of overburdening a company’s resources.

What this deliberation also fails to account for are the smaller-scale demolition needs of the everyday working world. This assumes everyone is working exclusively on power plant demolitions, and none of the community projects, small-to-midsize cleanups, and other demolitions that need to be managed and handled simultaneously. Even if the path to a ten-year finish was clearly paved, would there be any leftover resources, equipment, or experienced personnel to spare for everything else?

There’s been a decades’ long workforce decline within the construction industry as younger generations increasingly opt for tech-oriented work, regardless of their educational history.

Total Wrecking and Environmental has the deep experience and managerial capacity to certify and train industrial professionals, as well as a self-serving desire to continue handing down their expertise to in-house personnel. The issue is a dramatic lack of professionals willing to do the work, much less interested in training to do the work. Younger generations simply aren’t interested in entering the demolition industry. Meanwhile, the existing talent pool continues to age out.

This one-way trend has been decades in the making though it’s effects grow more obvious each year as multi-decade professionals continue to age out at an increasingly high rate. As the problem worsens, and with an utter lack of incoming youth, demolition companies are left to steal and trade existing professionals, a practice that’s become a small epidemic of its own.

Industrial demolition is a highly-qualified and specialized craft that requires extensive training but otherwise has few barriers of entry. Aside from a lack of interest, there’s also an obvious lack of awareness around industrial demolition careers. You won’t find any industrial demolition recruitment tables in any high schools. There are no established institutions that focus on industrial demolition education, nor is there any formalized curriculum available at any academic level that paves a path towards an industry role.

Work development training programs do exist, particularly in areas like Buffalo, NY (Total Wrecking’s center of operations) where industrial work is more prevalent than other corners of the country. There have also been fleeting attempts to establish an industrial demolition curriculum in places like Penn State University. But none produce the turnout, volume, or interest needed to shift the overwhelming tide.

All that to say: are there still enough professionals around to safely manage the most ambitious, wide-ranging demolition project in history? Total Wrecking and Environmental CEO Frank & Sandy Bodami believes the total industry workforce needs an additional 500 demolition professionals to make a ten-year timeline remotely feasible.

Not 500 young-and-hungry recruits with freshly printed GEDs or BA’s (although that would be tremendously helpful in invigorating a scalable, longer-term workforce). He means 500 experienced and qualified Project Managers, Equipment Operators, Mechanics, Welders, Superintendents, Safety Supervisors, High Burners, Tradesmen, General Contractors, and so forth. The solution to the ailing industry’s labor deficit is, unfortunately, not exclusive to any specific part of the workforce. No demolition contractor we spoke with had an issue with the idea that the necessary equipment could be sourced, gathered, and assembled in time.

But to make this project even remotely possible, the industry needs people. Everywhere.

The main villain in the eyes of green-conscious politicians are coal-fired power plants, monstrous and decades-old facilities responsible for powering entire cities. The last verified count completed by the Energy Information Administration from 2019 and counted 308 coal-fired power plants.

Although some argue that nuclear power is a relatively clean(er) alternative to coal worth maintaining, it’s likely that any sweeping green legislation would also target the nation’s remaining 58 or so nuclear power plants.

These counts, however, don’t necessarily translate to “unique sites;” power plants, after all, can have multiple energy sources. The EIA’s calculation is based on the predominant energy source for one or more generators on a given site, meaning a “natural gas power plant” that produces predominantly natural gas-powered energy has one or more generators also producing coal-fired energy, that power plant will be counted as both a natural gas power plant and a coal-fired power plant.

Power plants can also change their energy sources. In recent years, it’s in the interest of using more efficient natural resources, like natural gas, to produce “cleaner” energy that isn’t renewable or “green” but significantly more environmentally friendly than coal.

While some non-renewable energy facilities do undergo site-wide retrofittings, it’s more common for non-renewable plants to decommission generators producing certain types of non-renewable energy, modify them to produce more efficient or renewable energies, or install new generators producing different types of energy altogether. All of these possible facility retrofittings, compounded by regular status code changes, have a significant impact on previously posted data year-to-year.

In other words, it’s encouraging to look at the EIA’s table of industrial power plants and see that the number of coal plants has decreased from 589 in 2011 to 308 in 2019. That’s a huge shift in the right direction! Of that 281 difference, however, the NDA clarified that only 164 coal-powered decommissioning projects have been completed while the remaining 117 sites have been converted to burn other types of fuel.

That’s still an objectively admirable decrease in non-renewable energy reliance and a show of the industry’s capacity to facilitate a massive transition to more efficient energy sources. But considering the hundreds of coal-powered and nuclear plants that remain online, exponentially more work would need to be done in roughly the same period of time to meet legislative agendas.

5 nuclear reactors across 3 sites have been scheduled for decommissioning this year, which constitutes roughly 5% of the U.S.’s overall nuclear generating capacity, a sizable decline that the EIA states is a result of increased competition from renewable energy sources (and historically low natural gas prices). The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency has project management responsibilities for 18 reactors also scheduled for decommissioning.

The EIA reports that more than 30 GW worth of announced retirements are planned between now and 2024, with total coal-fired U.S. generating capacity dropping to 200 GW by 2024. Additionally, they expect retrofitting or retirement of 60-100 GW of capacity by then, which amounts to roughly 100 coal-fired units over the next 5 years.

That’s all fine and well to keep the industrial demolition business booming, but these numbers are still well short of what sweeping legislation would require. And considering that the largest coal-fired plants often require 1-2 entire years to completely remediate, dismantle, and redevelop, we’re looking at an undertaking far beyond the closures and retrofittings already planned between now and 2024.

Other than the size of the workforce and a strict preservation of traditional project timelines, what else needs to happen within the industry to make a project of this scale possible?

In future terms, making industrial demolition a larger part of the education system so that young people can follow a well-defined path to the industry is a start. But beyond youth, uniting the entire industry under a clearly defined company-agnostic curriculum, from the client to the customer to the workforce, would go a long way in educating the industry as a whole about the necessity of demolition and the extraordinarily delicate processes that protect its safety and integrity.

Uniting contractors, power plants owners, and communities alike under a collective understanding of an industrial power plant demolition’s complexity and sensitivity would help create smoother, cleaner, faster, and safer projects across the country.

Injuries and accidents remain a massive issue. People continue to get hurt, or worse, and the insurance rates are astronomical as a result. A rising industry trend is for power plants to be sold to development companies looking to break even, and are therefore most concerned about the bottom dollar, and cutting whatever corners necessary in its interest.

These redevelopments are cheap and fast, often completed with little to no concern for labor or community safety and no qualified management or oversight. Often they’re not even completely environmentally remediated, meaning left-behind hazardous elements continue to pose immediate and long-term risks to the larger community even after redevelopment, a tremendous liability that remains the plant owner’s legal responsibility even after an exchange of ownership.

In the meantime, we can only hope that educated paths to the industry become more clearly defined. That the workforce is provided a second wind and doesn’t continue withering away. That development companies stop exploiting power plant owners in the name of the cheapest bid. That power plant owners increasingly recognize the importance of their own plant’s dismantling. That communities continue to be protected and prioritized.

And that hard-working laborers stop dying along the way.

SOURCES

NDA

Total Wrecking and Environmental

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/electricity-in-the-us.php

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_04_01.html

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46436