June 15, 2026
The BDA Health & Safety Sub-Committee met virtually on 4 June 2026, chaired by Paul Breslin, to discuss a range of key health, safety and operational matters affecting the drilling industry.
Topics covered included the ongoing review of the BDA Safety Guidance, cable percussion and rotary drilling activities, vibratory operations, transport requirements, occupational health, audit processes, liaison with AGS, industry accident statistics, and preparations for the BDA Conference 2026.
Key Highlights:
- BDA Safety Guidance Review – The committee continued its detailed review of the BDA Safety Guidance, with sections 1 to 5 reviewed on screen. Sections 1 and 2 were completed with no comments. In section 3, the committee discussed manual handling training and agreed that task-specific practical manual handling training would be preferable for site teams, with wording to be confirmed for inclusion in the Safety Manual.
- Machine Maintenance and Inspection – The committee reviewed wording relating to machine and equipment maintenance and inspection. It was agreed that drilling machine inspection requirements should be amended from weekly inspection to pre-use inspection, recorded daily. Preventative and planned maintenance should also be completed in line with manufacturer instructions. High pressure systems will also be reworded and strengthened in line with previous recommendations.
- Competency and Non-Conformance – Section 4 of the Safety Guidance was also discussed, including the point that three minor non-conformances now constitute a major non-conformance. The committee discussed CSCS criteria and agreed that the wording should be amended to make clear that a Green Labourer Card should not be accepted as evidence of competency for drilling operatives where an official VQ is available, following the employee’s six-month probationary period.
- Further Safety Guidance Sections – Members were allocated further sections of the Safety Guidance for detailed review ahead of the next meeting. These include Machinery and Equipment, Transport and Towing, Operational Safety Requirements, Site Specific requirements, Environmental Considerations and PPE. Applicable PPE standards will also be listed. The target date for full publication is 26th November.
- Cable Percussion Drilling – The committee discussed whip restraint bars and how these should be attached to rigs. Both bolts and clips are currently acceptable, although clarification is required on whether the bar is considered a guard and should therefore be fixed. A separate shell and auger / CP rig hook failure incident was also discussed, with members agreeing that appropriate fixing, shackles or safety hooks would help eliminate the issue.
- Rotary Drilling – A jammed core liner incident was reviewed, following an injury caused during removal of a jammed core liner. The committee noted that operatives should not be working under a suspended load and that the head should be removed to resolve a jammed liner. The importance of appropriate guarding and preventative measures was also discussed.
- Vibratory Activities – The committee discussed sonic rig vibration matters. It was noted that a National Grid trial had stated that holding is not permitted on sonic rig sample discharge.
- Transport and Towing – Clarification on cable percussion rig towing requirements was discussed. The committee noted that CP rigs are generally viewed as plant rather than trailers for O Licence purposes, although further clarification is being sought. It was also noted that construction use regulations should be followed, and that if the driver is also the driller, this would fall outside EU tachograph rules, while still needing to comply with UK driving hours. The Safety Guidance will also emphasise that rigs are not to be loaded.
- Occupational Health – No new mental health blog suggestions were raised at the meeting, although Paul Breslin will consider possible future topics.
- BDA Audit – The committee noted one reported incident where a guard opened repeatedly. It was also noted that many clients are currently out of audit, with no specific highlights on statistics reported at this stage.
- AGS Update – The committee noted that the BDA now has a regular slot in the AGS magazine. Further work is also required to align statistics between the BDA and AGS, with a communication to be sent to members to support dual representation of statistics in 2027.
- BDA Accident Statistics – The committee reviewed the current draft accident statistics report. A total of 55 out of 60 members had returned data, giving a 92% return rate, which was noted as a significant improvement. Areas of concern include lifting and handling, with 129 incidents recorded, as well as slips, trips and falls. Fingers, hands and backs were identified as the main areas affected.
- Vice Chair Appointment – The committee discussed the potential appointment of a Vice Chair to help cover holidays and other commitments, and to maintain consistency across the committee. Members were asked to consider the role and register their interest with Paul Breslin or Joel Stevens.
- BDA Conference 2026 – The committee discussed the BDA Conference 2026, which will take place on 21st October at ICE London. Paul Breslin indicated that he would like to hold a panel discussion on recurrent incidents, involving a Health & Safety Sub-Committee member, an AGS member and a client or contractor. Committee members were asked to consider taking part.
- National Grid Trial Findings – National Grid trial findings were shared with the committee. Over a three-year period, 114 rigs were inspected across 18 contractors, with 178 non-conformances identified. The data also indicated that 100% of rigs older than seven years failed, along with 88% of cable percussion rigs.
