BDA Releases 2024 Accident Statistics Report: Key Trends, Rising Mental Health Cases, and Forward Strategy

August 13, 2025

The British Drilling Association (BDA) has published its 2024 Accident Statistics Report, offering a detailed analysis of safety performance across the UK drilling sector. Drawing on data from 72% of corporate contractor member organisations, the report provides critical insight into accident causation, frequency, and severity, as well as trends in mental health and wellbeing.

Key findings for 2024 include:

• 16% increase in Accident Incident Rate (AIR) and 17% increase in Accident Frequency Rate (AFR), potentially reflecting both heightened reporting transparency and ongoing safety challenges.
• 45% rise in RIDDOR-reportable accidents, with contact with machinery now overtaking lifting and handling as the leading cause.
• 15% drop in non-reportable injuries, although manual handling, slips, trips, and falls remain the most common incident types.
• 196% increase in reported mental health cases, resulting in a 477% increase in lost working days, and highlighting the growing need for psychological safety measures.

The report also outlines the BDA’s forward strategy, prioritising:

• 100%-member participation in data reporting.
• Targeted mental health intervention programmes.
• Wider adoption of hazard-reducing technologies.
• Integration of safety audit insights into national guidance.

By collecting and analysing this data, the BDA can better understand risk, focus interventions, and foster a culture where safety, both physical and mental, is embedded within the industry.

The full 2024 Accident Statistics Report is available for download here: BDA Accident Statistics Report 2024