Complex demolition work nominated for Site Safe award

Overlooking Shag Rock Reservoir

Media Release – 3 November 2014

Complex demolition work nominated for Site Safe award

An innovative approach to tackling complex hillside demolitions has earned a CERA contractor a nomination for a leading industry award.

Aurecon has been nominated for the AWF Group Safety Innovation Award in the 2014 Site Safe Construction Safety and Health Awards for their work on CERA’s residential red zone clearance programme in the Port Hills. Health & Safety is a priority at Aurecon, and as part of its Safety Essentials programme, it looks to innovative ways to keep all those involved in a project safe. In this instance, Aurecon included using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to solve the problem of assessing the demolition of houses on unstable land without putting people at risk.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive Roger Sutton has welcomed the nomination as recognition that safety concerns are being addressed in the complex demolition work required in the Port Hills.

“Aurecon’s use of UAVs has been of immense help in our work, particularly on technically challenging project such as the Port Hills,” says Mr Sutton.

“The images that we get from the UAV help us to identify geohazards and access routes to properties on the cliff edge. We don’t have any other way of getting these images without putting staff at risk because of how dangerous these areas are.”

“It’s a great achievement for Aurecon to see all the hard work the company has put in to get us reliable, safe geotechnical information rewarded.”

Overlooking Dean’s Head

Aurecon worked with the University of Canterbury who developed the innovative technology used. A remote controlled quadrocopter with a high-definition camera mounted beneath the device allows CERA to capture detailed video and photographs of the area from angles that would otherwise be unattainable due to the hazardous nature of the hill top area.

CERA has worked closely with experts in areas such as geotechnical and structural analysis to find the best ways to tackle complex and challenging demolitions in the Port Hills. With risks that include rockfall and cliff collapse, the UAV has been just one of the tools used to monitor the terrain, access and natural hazards.

As well as recognition through this nomination, the team’s work recently featured on Canada’s Discovery Channel. The award winners will be announced on 5 November 2014.

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