December 16, 2025
Introduction
The British Drilling Association’s (BDA) Audit Programme remains central to raising standards, improving safety, and strengthening technical competence across the drilling sector. As part of its ongoing review of performance data and member feedback, the BDA Audit Steering Group has introduced a series of updates and forthcoming changes designed to further support Lead Drillers and promote consistent best practice across the industry.
These updates reflect learning from the 2024–25 audit period and set out key requirements that will be phased in ahead of full implementation from June 2026.
The BDA Audit Steering Group continues to meet regularly to review performance data and industry feedback. As part of our ongoing commitment to raising standards, several developments have been introduced throughout 2024–25 to make the audit process more practical, transparent, and firmly focused on the role of the Lead Driller.
Recent Improvements
Last year saw the successful introduction of enhanced quality and technical standards. In response to member feedback, the safety criteria have now been strengthened to place greater emphasis on the Lead Driller’s responsibilities. The expanded focus on pre-operational inspections has been well received, enabling auditees to take greater ownership of their audit outcomes.
To support consistency across the industry, the BDA has produced a standard Pre-Operational Inspection check sheet thanks to collaboration from the BDA Health and Safety Committee. When completed honestly, this check sheet confirms that machines and equipment have been appropriately inspected and are compliant and safe for use. The document is available free of charge, and BDA templates can now also be accessed through the SMARTCHECK app following a new partnership arrangement.
Mandatory manual handling training, introduced this year, has also been widely embraced by auditees and their employers, and is recognised as a valuable component of safe site practice.
Changes Coming into Effect from June 2026
Following review of the 2025 audit data, the Steering Group has approved the following changes, which will be introduced to auditees across the next six months before being fully enforced from 1st June 2026.
When nesting casing (reducing), the use of casing clamps will become mandatory.
Previously recorded as a minor non-conformance, failure to use casing clamps (or failure to have them available when casing reduction is taking place) will be classified as a major non-conformance resulting in immediate audit termination.
A new limit will be applied to minor safety non-conformances. Any audit recording five or more minor safety non-conformances will be deemed non-compliant, aligning with the threshold already applied to technical non-conformances.
Hydraulic safety remains a significant concern. Many auditees operate high-pressure hydraulic systems without sufficient formal training in fault recognition or what safe systems look like. Hydraulic leaks pose serious environmental risks, while hydraulic injection injuries can be fatal. The BDA is fully committed to eliminating these dangers.
To address this:
From June 2026, any defect exposing reinforcement or indicating a leak on any hydraulic hose or coupling immediately visible to the Lead Driller will result in immediate audit termination.
The requirement for formal training does not mean there is a specific course or provider – in-house training will be permitted, provided evidence is supplied that the training is formal and documented with certification.
Data from the past 12 months shows a continued reduction in minor technical non-conformances, demonstrating improved quality control across the sector a clear indication of a stronger technical competence.
The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) remains the most frequent source of technical non-conformances. Errors typically arise from basic oversights, such as failing to check or record rod straightness. Ensuring these fundamental checks are carried out correctly will remain a priority focus area moving forward. Please refer back to the BDA training video on YouTube on the Standard Penetration Test for further information.
Finally, A Multiple Audit Reminder
Heading into 2026, the BDA would like to reiterate its policy with regards to multiple audits on the same machine. It is part of the audit Terms and Conditions that only two Lead Drillers can be audited on the same machine at any one time throughout the year. This policy is intended to prevent the use of a single machine or site becoming the designated ‘audit machine’ or ‘audit site’. Every machine and every site should be compliant with legislation, regulations and guidance, although the BDA understands some sites and some clients may be more restrictive than others.
These audit updates reflect the BDA’s continued commitment to raising standards, improving safety, and supporting competence across the drilling industry. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes now, ensuring adequate time for preparation ahead of formal implementation in 2026. A new version of the BDA Audit handbook, which details the changes highlighted, can be found here: https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/BDA-Audit-Handbook_v2.4.pdf
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