The Importance of learning and Professional Development

The Importance of Learning and Professional Development

When I became a member of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE) in 1978, one of the membership requirements was to write a paper about a project in which you had been involved.
The paper had to explain the particular challenges associated with the demolition work, including what had originally been planned, what unknowns or unforeseen circumstances arose, and how those challenges were overcome.
This was considered an important way of assessing not only whether an individual had the practical ability to undertake demolition work, but also whether they could analyse a problem thoroughly, identify solutions and, importantly, document the lessons learned.
Over the years, this approach to professional development has evolved considerably through training courses, examinations and degree programmes. These developments have helped improve the quality and competence of members while significantly enhancing the professional image and reputation of the demolition industry.
That progress should be recognised and protected.

Learning from Experience – Sometimes the Hard Way
During my years working in demolition, I encountered a number of unexpected and, on occasion, potentially catastrophic situations. Unfortunately, not every incident had a positive outcome.
One particular incident resulted in the death of a member of the public, who was struck by a piece of mud ejected from the ground when a chimney was deliberately collapsed.
The previous day's heavy rainfall had left the ground saturated. When the chimney struck the ground, the force of the impact displaced water from the saturated soil, ejecting a piece of mud into the surrounding area.
It was a tragic and entirely unforeseen consequence of the operation.
Following this incident, I worked with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and others to bring about changes to the relevant British Standard Code of Practice to address what became known at the time as the "slap effect".
As a result, the importance of ground conditions and the establishment of appropriate exclusion zones had to be properly considered before risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) for deliberate collapses could be accepted.
The important point is that, although the incident was tragic, it resulted in significant learning and changes that benefited the wider demolition industry.
It demonstrated why recording, analysing and sharing experience is so important.

Are We Doing Enough to Learn from Today's Challenges?
Looking at the industry today, I believe the same principles remain just as relevant.
Over recent months, there have been significant problems on power station demolition sites, including structures failing to collapse as planned and large fires. Understandably, these incidents have attracted considerable attention and, in some cases, adverse publicity for the industry.
Rather than simply moving on once an incident has been dealt with, I believe there is an opportunity for the IDE to take a more proactive role.
I would encourage the Institute to seek information from those directly involved in these events and establish:
What actually happened?
What went wrong?
Why did it happen?
Were there factors that could have been identified beforehand?
How were the problems dealt with?
Most importantly, what lessons can be learned and shared with the wider industry?
This information could provide invaluable learning opportunities for members, contractors and the industry as a whole.
Sharing experience in this way is not about apportioning blame or criticising those involved. It is about understanding what happened, improving professional knowledge and helping to prevent similar situations occurring again.

Learning Should Not Be Limited to Major Incidents
Of course, learning should not be restricted to major projects, serious accidents or high-profile failures.
There are valuable lessons to be gained from everyday demolition operations, whether they relate to improved working methods, site management, planning, safety procedures, efficiency or the application of new techniques.
Successful projects also provide important learning opportunities. Understanding what went well, why it worked and how good practice can be repeated is just as valuable as examining what went wrong.
An industry that is willing to learn from both its successes and its mistakes is an industry that will continue to improve.
The IDE has an important opportunity to encourage this culture by providing a platform through which members can share their experiences, discuss challenges and contribute to the collective knowledge of the profession.

Protecting the Reputation of Our Industry
The demolition industry has worked extremely hard over many years to establish the professional standing and reputation it enjoys today.
The development of recognised qualifications, professional training and higher standards of competence has played a major part in achieving this.
However, maintaining that reputation requires continuous effort. We cannot assume that the progress made over previous decades will automatically continue.
We must remain willing to question existing practices, learn from unexpected events and share knowledge openly with others.
In my view, the IDE has a particularly important role to play in encouraging this approach. By capturing the experiences of its members and making the resulting lessons available to the wider industry, it can help ensure that valuable knowledge is not lost and that the same mistakes are not repeated.

Learning from experience is not simply about looking back at what went wrong. It is about using that knowledge to make the demolition industry safer, more competent and more professional in the future.
That is something we should all be committed to.

Charles Moran Past President IDE