DDM director Theo Velis, together with project manager Dave Straker, hastily traveled to Egypt. After the initial assessment of the damage, a team of DDM employees was flown in. They have secured the situation. A team of 15 Egyptians worked hard twelve hours a day, seven days a week to dismantle and clean up the exploded tank.
“A huge challenge,” says Dave. “The tank was 25 meters high and weighed 300 tons. We cut away the bottom first, then the top and some of the plates between the legs. Then we could hoist the legs away. A complex operation. Still, we managed to complete the project within four weeks of the incident. Without complications and with enormous team spirit.”
In addition to being technically complex, the project was also not easy in terms of communication. “The 15 local teammates spoke little to no English,” says Dave. “Moreover, they were emotionally involved in the explosion. Not only had they lost colleagues, but they had miraculously escaped death themselves, because the buses they took to work every morning had been seriously delayed that morning. All in all, it was an impressive job, which we can look back on with great satisfaction.”
The Quality and Health, Safety and the Environment policy is an ongoing process. That is why DDM is continuously working on improving all these areas to keep improving safety levels.
DDM was rewarded with a World Demolition Award in the Civils category.
Removing 5 arch bridges over the Amsterdam Rhine Canal was an intensive job. The schedule was tight and the expectations of all employees were high. But with a joint effort and incredible passion, DDM has successfully removed and recycled the 5 bridges within schedule.
Every year DDM holds a number of safety days to boost safety awareness.
Last year's objectives are evaluated and new objectives are determined. All managers and all operational employees discuss safety, policy and vision together. In addition to all regular training courses, DDM offers workshops and training to all employees during these days to take the qualities of the professionals to an even higher level. Together with all DDM employees, we are working on an increasingly higher safety ethic. Everyone at DDM carries out their work in a safe and healthy manner, with sufficient attention to the environment. And they're getting better at it. This applies to everyone; back to work healthy and safe and back home healthy.
Dow has awarded DDM a certificate for Outstanding Safety Performance.
Following various demolition and disassembly projects that DDM carries out worldwide for Dow Chemical Company, DDM has received recognition for its excellent safety performance during implementation. DDM always continues to strive for a higher level of safety. Safety First! Read below a quote from the letter that DDM received from Dow. “In summary, DDM continues to deliver excellent performance in safely planning and executing all work related to Dow demolition projects. We truly believe that your company's exceptional efforts continue to be a reflection of the leadership and support of you and the entire DDM Management team. "
