August 18, 2025
Every year the British Drilling Association (BDA) produces its Accident Statistics Report. However, before you stop reading because you think it’s just another list of figures and charts, the real story isn’t in the numbers themselves, but in what they mean.
Why collect accident data?
Collecting data is partly about compliance, but for the BDA, collecting this data has always been about more than ticking boxes. It’s about seeing the bigger picture. When members share their accident statistics, it allows us to spot patterns, compare ourselves fairly against the wider construction sector, and understand the unique challenges drilling presents, from mobile rigs to variable ground conditions.
Without data, we’re working blind. With it, we have the insight to focus our campaigns where they’ll make the biggest difference.
What do we learn?
Our accident data helps us see which issues are becoming more prominent and which safety measures are working. It might reveal that incidents involving machinery are increasing, or that slips and trips remain stubbornly common across sites. And sometimes, it shows us that the challenges we face go beyond the physical. One of the strongest signals from our report has been the rise in mental health-related cases. However, this finding doesn’t necessarily mean people are suddenly more stressed than before. More likely, it reflects a growing willingness to speak up about wellbeing, better awareness among managers, and a healthier culture of honesty. Given the effort of the BDA and the wider construction sector to tackle and address mental health issues, this is progress. It is also the kind of insight that only comes from collecting and looking carefully at the data.
So how are we doing?
Of course, we always benchmark ourselves against the broader construction industry. And while the nature of our work means we face some different risks, comparing helps keep us grounded. It shows us where we’re ahead of the curve, and where there’s room for improvement. Importantly, it also ensures our voice carries weight when talking to regulators, insurers, and clients.
But collecting statistics is only the start. The real value comes in using them. The data from this year’s report feeds into everything we do as an Association, from the development of training programmes to the way we update guidance, to the issues we prioritise in campaigns. It keeps our focus evidence-based, not just reactive. The growth in mental health reporting, for example, is already shaping how we support members, and how we work with industry partners to normalise mental wellbeing as part of site safety culture. Likewise, accident patterns around machinery and manual handling guide where new technologies, equipment upgrades, and refresher training should be aimed.
Safety is a shared effort
None of this would be possible without the continued effort of our members in submitting their data. Every return adds to the bigger picture, helping us not only benchmark performance but also strengthen our collective credibility as a responsible, forward-thinking industry.
The 2024 Accident Statistics Report is about understanding ourselves as an industry and working out where we need to go next. If you’ve not looked already, we encourage you to follow the link, take a look at the full report, and see for yourself what the numbers reveal.
The full 2024 Accident Statistics Report is available for download here: https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BDA-Accident-Statistics-Report-2024-FINAL.pdf
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