LAFARGE CEMENT UK – THE DEMOLITION OF SIX CONCRETE CEMENT SILOS & TWO STEEL SILOS – WIDNES

Connell Brothers were appointed by Client’s Lafarge Cement UK to demolish their redundant depot situated in Widnes, Cheshire. The project involved mainly the demolition and site clearance of six 1500/2500 ton cement silos and other associated buildings including two steel silos.

Great care and attention had to be given to the surrounding land users throughout the project. A café was situated at the depot entrance, to the west were railtrack sidings and the surrounding land to the south was owned by Tanhouse Garage Limited. It was for these reasons that precautions had to be taken to prevent nuisance and inconvenience to the owners of these premises and to the public in general. One of the main areas of concern due to the inner concrete cement makeup of the structures and also because of their sheer height was dust.

It was for these reasons that Connell Brothers incorporated the use of various control measures. The silos were initially pre-cleaned prior to demolition, then a jet-powered water spray was fitted to the boom of the specialist long reach excavator in order to suppress the levels of dust throughout the works. This was done in conjunction with the use of a banksman working alongside the machine driver and led to levels of dust being kept to a minimum. Further background reassurance monitoring was also conducted by Connell Brothers independent Health and Safety Advisor.