Our plant operator Andy Whitfield talks about his journey into demolition, what a typical day looks like, and what it takes to succeed in the industry.
How did you get started in construction?
I’ve always been hands-on rather than academic, so I started out as a mechanic before moving into construction around 35 years ago. My first job was in groundworks but to be honest, I got a bit bored! My brother-in-law worked for a demolition company and I got the chance to stand in for one of their machine drivers. I really enjoyed it, so decided to make the switch.
What attracted you to working at Freeley?
Freeley have always had a strong reputation for using high-quality machinery and looking after their staff. When they advertised for a machine driver, I was keen to get the job. That was 10 years ago now and I’ve never looked back.
What does a typical day look like?
There’s no such thing as a typical day in demolition! Every job, every building, and every site is different. One day, I could be demolishing a block of flats, on another, it might be a large industrial building or factory.
Generally speaking though, my role involves knocking down the whole structure safely, working with the team to segregate materials for recycling and disposal, digging out the footings, and clearing the site to make it’s ready for the next stage of development.
What’s the most challenging part of the job?
Every building is different. If you pull the wrong part of a structure, it can concertina, and things can go wrong very quickly. That’s why you have to be on the ball and switched on for every second of the job. Experience, common sense and awareness are key. You can’t just focus on what’s in front of you. You have to constantly assess the whole building and how it will react once demolition begins.
What do you enjoy most?
Knocking stuff down – who wouldn’t love that?! It’s satisfying to see a job through, clear a site, and know you’ve done it safely and efficiently. And you’ll never meet a demolition machine driver with anger issues!
What do you like about working at Freeley?
They’ve always been spot on with me. The machines are high quality, which makes a massive difference, and it’s a family business, so you’re not just a number. You’re genuinely looked after in all respects. That’s rare in this industry.
Attracting new people into demolition can be challenging – what would you say to anyone thinking about it?
It’s tough work, and it’s physical. But if you’re young and keen, start at the bottom and work your way up. That’s how most of us did it. You learn by watching and by doing. The hardest part is getting young lads interested in the first place but having a company that values its people like Freeley does, makes a real difference.
