Episode 6: Work Zone Safety, Smarter Planning and the Rocky Mountain Chapter Launch
April 21, 2026
Welcome to the latest episode of Demo Dispatch! This monthly podcast from the National Demolition Association brings you timely updates, safety lessons from the field and real-world conversations with the professionals shaping the future of demolition.
🎙️ In this episode:
The Rundown (:36): Drew Ernest of D.H. Griffin and a member of the NDA Board of Directors opens with a safety moment recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week and the importance of vigilance in active work zones. He highlights upcoming NDA education opportunities in Washington, D.C., including the Foundations of Demolition Project Management and Job Cost Tracking courses in April and the Demolition Methods, Planning and Design course in May. He also shares updates on NDA advocacy efforts, including requests to OSHA and EPA for regulatory clarity on silica dust controls in freezing conditions and PCB bulk product waste disposal, along with a look at infrastructure funding priorities and current scrap market trends.
From the Field (6:11): Doug Thomas of Independence Demolition makes the case for treating engineering and structural analysis as a core part of every demolition project — not an afterthought. He walks through the key questions contractors should ask before starting work, from identifying structural strengths and weaknesses to understanding load capacities, ground conditions and sequencing. He also emphasizes the role of planning, engineering surveys and contract requirements in reducing risk and improving efficiency, reinforcing a simple idea: better planning leads to safer, more controlled demolition.
Member Conversation (13:09): In a conversation with NDA’s director of content, Alexa Schlosser, Geordie Stewart of Connect Work Tools shares his path into the demolition industry — from teaching high school economics to building a career in attachments and equipment. Now serving as president of NDA’s newly formed Rocky Mountain Chapter, he discusses how the chapter came together, the value of local engagement within a national organization and what attendees can expect from the group’s upcoming event in Centennial, Colorado. Stewart underscores the role of chapters in lowering barriers to entry, fostering relationships and creating accessible opportunities for learning and collaboration across the industry.