BDA Health & Safety Sub-committee – Precis of September 2024 Meeting

September 24, 2024

The British Drilling Association (BDA) convened its Health & Safety Sub-committee meeting on 18^th September 2024. The key topics discussed include:

Cable Percussion Drilling Guidance
Updates to existing guidance are in progress, ensuring clarity and accuracy of technical requirements. These revisions aim to modernise the format and eliminate duplications across industry guidance documents.

Vibration-related Health Risks
The issue of vibration-related health risks in drilling operations, particularly Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Investigations are ongoing into cases related to sonic drilling, with considerations being made to mitigate such risks.

Occupational Health and Mental Wellbeing
The committee discussed upcoming articles on mental health, focusing on Mania and ADHD, as well as repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and related health conditions from prolonged use of CP equipment.

BDA Audit Updates

Asbestos Awareness Training: From 1^st October 2024, all BDA audit applicants must have asbestos awareness training.

Safety Guidance Review
A thorough review of BDA’s safety guidance is in progress. The aim is to modernise the content, eliminate redundancies, and improve accessibility for those with dyslexia by using clearer fonts and embedded links direct to the relevant guidance and ACOPs.