The drilling industry is a cornerstone of the UK's infrastructure, significantly impacting construction, energy, and environmental sectors. As the industry evolves, the imperative for elevated standards of safety, compliance, and professionalism becomes increasingly critical. The British Drilling Association (BDA) continues to lead the way in raising these standards through its comprehensive BDA Audit. This rigorous assessment ensures that drillers operate with the utmost competence, providing peace of mind to contractors and clients alike. But do not just take the Association's word for it – here is what leading organisations have to say…
Testimonials from industry leaders
· National Highways – October 2024: "The benefits of using BDA audited drillers for National Highways is that it demonstrates the sharing of best practice, lessons learned and establishing a common basis of competency for drillers of the machines they are using and the accuracy of the data produced."
· The Coal Authority – November 2024: "We consider the BDA audit one form of an Independent Mining Engineer's audit, which can be used by users of Coal Authority Permit Holders to subject themselves to an independent audit of their adoption of good practices.
"An Independent Mining Engineer's audit gives reassurance that the contractor can self-regulate with minimal regulatory intervention required as they are able to:
· operate the necessary equipment;
· comply with Coal Authority's permit terms and conditions;
· comply with relevant legislation and policies; and
· minimise risk and the impact of their activities on people and the environment.
"This self-regulation assured through Independent Mining Engineer audit reduces the likelihood of non-compliance. This generates efficiencies as the increased competency enforced through the audits leads to a reduction in time wasted addressing bad malpractices and issues of non-compliance with our regulations and permit conditions."
Elevating industry standards
The BDA Audit transcends mere certification; it embodies a commitment to excellence. Serving as a benchmark for the entire sector, it ensures that drillers are proficient not only in operating machinery but also in adhering to best practices and regulatory requirements. The audit thoroughly examines various aspects such as technical competency, regulatory compliance, safety protocols, and data accuracy.
By verifying that drillers possess the necessary skills to operate equipment safely and efficiently, it affirms their technical competency. Ensuring adherence to legislation, policies, and permit conditions underscores the emphasis on regulatory compliance.
Assessing the implementation of safety measures safeguards both workers and the environment while confirming the precision and reliability of data produced during drilling operations guarantees data accuracy.
By meeting these stringent criteria, BDA-audited drillers showcase a level of professionalism that distinguishes them within the industry.
The role of the BDA Audit in enhancing health and safety standards
From November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024, the BDA conducted 161 audits across the industry, meticulously assessing each driller against stringent health and safety standards. These audits recorded 160 major health and safety non-conformances. However, the majority of these issues were addressed and resolved promptly: 116 of the 160 major non-conformances were corrected immediately on-site by the auditees, ensuring no ongoing risk was left unmitigated. This on-the-spot resolution demonstrates the proactive nature of the BDA audits, which not only identify potential hazards but empower drillers to rectify these issues in real time, reflecting an industry-wide commitment to safety.
The impact of these corrective actions is significant, as only 11 audits ultimately failed. In these cases, the remaining 44 unresolved major non-conformances were documented across the failed audits. For the few instances where non-conformances could not be resolved during the initial audit, the BDA offered continued support and the opportunity for re-audit. In fact, three drillers initially deemed non-compliant took part in subsequent audits, successfully meeting the BDA's high standards and achieving audited status upon reassessment. This process ensures that even those who initially struggle with compliance are given the resources and guidance needed to raise their performance to acceptable levels.
In addition to the major issues logged, BDA audits identified 290 minor health and safety non-conformances within the same period. While less critical, these minor issues reflect areas where further refinement can contribute to overall safety improvements. They serve as focal points for ongoing safety education and reinforce the BDA's holistic approach to risk management, where even small adjustments can contribute to a safer working environment.
The BDA's commitment to tracking, reporting, and resolving these non-conformances is evidenced by its Audit Dashboard, which provides a comprehensive overview of the types and frequency of health and safety issues encountered. This transparent documentation not only reinforces accountability but also offers valuable insights into industry-wide trends, helping to guide future safety initiatives and best practices. Through this rigorous auditing process, the BDA ensures that health and safety standards are not just a regulatory checkbox but an evolving priority, consistently advancing towards a safer and more competent drilling industry.
The importance of best practice sharing
As highlighted by National Highways, employing BDA-audited drillers facilitates the sharing of best practices and lessons learned. This collaborative approach leads to consistency by establishing common competency standards across projects. It enhances data quality by improving the accuracy of data, which is crucial for informed decision-making. Moreover, it promotes safer work environments through shared knowledge, thereby enhancing safety across the industry.
Self-regulation and efficiency
The Coal Authority emphasises the significance of self-regulation through independent audits. This methodology offers several advantages. By enabling contractors to self-regulate effectively, there is a reduced need for external oversight, diminishing regulatory intervention. The competency enforced through audits leads to fewer instances of non-compliance, resulting in efficiency gains by saving time and resources otherwise spent addressing malpractices. Additionally, ensuring adherence to best practices minimises risks to people and the environment, thus achieving risk mitigation.
Benefits for contractors and clients
Selecting BDA-audited drillers provides tangible benefits for both contractors and clients. It offers peace of mind by assuring that competent professionals undertake the works. It achieves compliance with the "Yellow Book" specification and the relevant British Standards, BS22475 parts 2 and 3. The likelihood of accidents, non-compliance fines, and project delays is significantly reduced, mitigating risk. Furthermore, demonstrating a commitment to excellence can enhance a company's reputation within the industry, leading to reputation enhancement.
The role of the BDA in industry advancement
The BDA is dedicated to elevating the drilling industry by setting high standards, providing resources, and advocating for the industry's interests. By establishing rigorous criteria for audits, the BDA ensures that only the best practices are followed. It offers training and support to help drillers meet and maintain these standards. Additionally, the BDA works with regulatory bodies to represent the interests of its members and promote industry growth.
Join the BDA
Now is the opportune time to become part of a progressive movement towards excellence in the drilling industry. By joining the BDA and opting for BDA-audited drillers, you contribute to enhanced safety by promoting safer practices that protect your workforce and the public. You ensure improved compliance by staying ahead of regulations and avoiding costly penalties and project interruptions. Additionally, you facilitate professional growth by accessing resources and a network of professionals that foster development and innovation.
Take the next step
The BDA invites all industry stakeholders to embrace the benefits of BDA-audited drillers. Whether you are a contractor seeking to improve your operations or a client looking for assurance of quality and compliance, the BDA Audit stands as the trusted standard.
In an industry where safety, compliance, and professionalism are paramount, the BDA Audit represents an unwavering commitment to excellence. With endorsements from leading organisations like National Highways and The Coal Authority, the audit not only promotes best practices but also encourages a culture of self-regulation, efficiency, and real-time safety improvements. By choosing BDA-audited drillers, you are not merely opting for superior service; you are actively contributing to a safer, more compliant, and efficient industry. Join the BDA today and be part of the movement that is elevating the standards and shaping the future of drilling in the UK.
For more information about the BDA Audit and how to become a member, visit: www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/competence/bda-audit/
