https://www.thedriller.com/rss/10080 en-us If you need to replace your whole hard hat, consider a new safety helmet designed to increase head protection.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93526 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93526-hard-hats-and-habits-rethinking-head-protection-in-drilling Drilling contractors face tons of challenges on and off the job site. Here's some ways to ensure employee safety while making sure productivity remains uncompromised.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93226 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:00:36 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93226-balancing-the-rig-building-a-safer-future-for-drilling Are you still using a pit for solids control? Solids control equipment may be worth the investment.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92881 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92881-solids-control-101-for-groundwater-geothermal-drilling Safety guidance for work near overheads, plus what to do if a drilling rig or hoist mast arcs to a hot line.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92807 Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92807-tips-for-working-safely-near-overhead-power-lines Keep asking until you reach the root cause, and then design a countermeasure to prevent the issue at hand.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92768 Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:30:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92768-jobsite-or-drill-crew-issue-apply-5-whys-to-find-the-root The risk for a person on antidepressants doesn’t necessarily disappear while on medication.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92684 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92684-mental-health-safety-for-drillers-it-goes-beyond-pills Latest PPE protects workers from both overhead and side impacts, making it worth considering for drillers.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92665 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92665-hard-hats-versus-safety-helmets-for-drilling-construction safety helmets In addition to offering better protection from more directions, safety helmets often have a variety of optional add-ons for specific tasks or industries. Source: Getty Images hard hats Hard hats have taken on a life and culture all their own, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement when it comes to PPE. Source: Dave Bowers Heavy equipment operation takes focus. A 30-second brain break after a task can help us refocus on our surroundings.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92646 Wed, 18 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92646-changing-tasks-pause-to-refocus-on-safety Most construction injuries and fatalities trace back to human error. Slow down a bit and think things through.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92632 Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92632-resolve-to-slow-down-prioritize-safety-in-the-new-year Employers, of course, have a responsibility in the workplace, but when did you last read a safety data sheet?

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92604 Sat, 19 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92604-how-to-know-if-you-are-overexposed-to-a-chemical Raise your hand if you became lead driller when the lead driller called in sick one day. There’s a better way.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92579 Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92579-want-to-keep-drilling-crews-happy-train-them driller training Training to fill a skills gap in your organization can be formal, like a classroom setting with written work and tests, or more informal, job shadowing sessions. Source: Dave Bowers driller training Give employees a chance to deploy new skills in low-stakes settings, before asking them to take on work with millions in equipment and, potentially, coworkers’ safety on the line. Source: Dave Bowers Human cost of an unsafe trench outweighs the expense of proper safety measures.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92546 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92546-trenching-deaths-in-2022-already-outpace-2021 trench and excavation accidents In the first half of 2022, 22 people died in trench and excavation accidents in the U.S., surpassing the 15 who died in all of 2021. Source: Dave Bowers Trench safety training at the Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program Trench safety training at the Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program. Sending workers into a trench without the proper safety precautions and risk mitigation measures invites tragedy. Source: Dave Bowers Whether you’re driving or drilling, Cooper’s code tells us multitasking makes us less safe.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92528 Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92528-the-danger-of-distractions-for-equipment-operators Resources can help employers with labeling, SDSs, training and other critical parts of hazard communication.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92507 Fri, 10 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92507-hazcom-and-drill-crews-developing-an-employer-program Know the recommended exposure limits (RELs) for the toxic substances your crews may encounter on the job.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92487 Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92487-hazcom-and-drill-crews-chemical-exposure-limits enclosed space hazard Going into an enclosed space? Always use OSHA best practices to cut your risk, because inhalation (for example, of “bad air” in an enclosed space) is a common cause of toxic exposure. Source: Getty Images Talk of chemical hazards with your company’s workforce starts by understanding the basics of toxicology.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92466 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92466-hazcom-and-drill-crews-what-is-toxicity toxic materials in drilling Workers doing drilling work can be exposed to a range of toxic materials, from rock dust to solvents and everything in between. Source: Public Domain Newbies, experienced drillers alike can use a reminder on lockout/tagout, paying attention to potential risks.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92450 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92450-dont-put-your-hand-there-pinch-point-tips-for-drillers pinch points Not every pinch point on a drilling jobsite gets nice, clear labeling to warn people. Drillers and helpers should do regular JSAs designed to identify and minimize risks from pinches and nips, and other hazards. Source: Getty Images Vigilance, wellness checks can help drillers, construction workers support each other through aches, injury.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92422 Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92422-drillings-tough-reputation-injuries-and-opioids pain-killers A common path for addiction involves simply getting an injury, at work or otherwise, and getting prescribed painkillers. Source: Getty Images Articulated masts add flexibility required for micropiles, tiebacks, but come with specific risks to mitigate.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92398 Fri, 14 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92398-safety-factors-for-multipurpose-drilling-rigs training with a Soilmec SR-45 The Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program conducts a training with a Soilmec SR-45 provided by Stalworth Underground. Source: David Bowers Fraste Mito 60 drilling rig Multipurpose rigs like a Fraste Mito 60 can feature fully remote drilling operations, which comes with safety advantages even if it may seem a little foreign to some operators who depend on the “feel” to drill. Source: David Bowers jobsite safety As with any heavy equipment, columnist Dave Bowers says good site and task specific hazard analysis, crew training and frequent safety meetings are a must. Source: David Bowers Launching a program? It doesn’t have to be complex, but it does have to be thorough and well-communicated.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92378 Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92378-what-components-go-into-a-health-safety-program employee training Developing a health and safety program? They have some core elements, like routine hazard assessments and thorough employee training. Source: David Bowers hazard assessment Columnist Dave Bowers points out many crews work with the same pieces of equipment, doing a familiar job most days. Companies can start there, and then build a health and safety program that maintains a safe workplace and, ultimately, reduces company costs. Source: David Bowers Electric drill rigs could have huge advantages in efficiency, torque carbon footprint and — from a noise standpoint — safety.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92362 Mon, 22 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92362-what-does-the-future-hold-for-drilling-construction-equipment Liebherr’s LB 16 unplugged Liebherr’s LB 16 unplugged debuted a few years ago. A few companies have experimented with hybrid or all-electric drills. Source: Liebherr http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92335 Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92335-how-can-we-make-drill-training-more-effective driller training Nothing quite trains you for running heavy equipment like hands-on, kinesthetic learning. However, effective training also adds visual, auditory and written aspects to the mix to cater to different learning styles. Source: Jeremy Verdusco Drillers want training and manufacturers want customers. Find the best training where those ideas intersect.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92315 Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92315-how-can-we-make-drill-training-more-relevant hands-on training Columnist Dave Bowers says everyone benefits from direct, hands-on training. That includes drillers and helpers, manufacturers and suppliers, and facilities like ASIP that can bring it all together. Source: Dave Bowers Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program The Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program that Bowers works for has relationships with several manufacturers and suppliers to provide equipment and training to meet job needs in the market. Source: Dave Bowers Whether you work as the driller or the scientist on site, training can help you recognize and avoid common hazards.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92299 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:00:32 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92299-want-a-keep-safe-on-a-drilling-job-training-is-the-key training A recent training put on by the Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program, focused on pumps and pumping systems, with presentations from instructors from Franklin Electric. Source: Dave Bowers training The training also included demos of several types of drilling, and students had hands-on field work testing, maintaining and monitoring pump systems. Source: Dave Bowers http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92272 Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92272-confined-spaces-roles-responsibilities-for-drill-crews gas meter A simple gas meter can help determine the relatively safety of a confined space before entry. Source: Getty Images http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92256 Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:00:04 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92256-confined-spaces-what-drillers-need-to-know hazards of working in confined spaces Some confined spaces are clearly labeled. Columnist Dave Bowers writes this month about recognizing the ones that are not — and mitigating the risks involved. Source: Getty Images http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92230 Fri, 21 May 2021 09:00:07 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92230-eye-safety-basics-for-drillers protective eyewear Columnist Dave Bowers emphasizes wearing protective eyewear where needed, but else stresses the fit and fitness for the task. Choose wisely. Source: Getty Images http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92208 Fri, 23 Apr 2021 15:30:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92208-quick-coupler-101-for-drillers-in-the-field excavator Quick couplers turn excavators, skid steers and other machines into Swiss Army knives. Safe operation, columnist Dave Bowers says, involves knowing how to use, secure and test each attachment connected to the machine. Source: Dave Bowers attachments Operators should do regular checks of the machines they run, familiarize themselves with the types of couplers and how to use them, and do safety checks after connecting each new attachment. Source: Dave Bowers If you lead drilling crews, does your work reflect the company safety, efficiency goals?

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92183 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92183-drillers-are-you-acting-as-safety-mentors seating Have you considered custom seating for your drilling rig platform? Columnist Dave Bowers says it sets a bad safety precedent. Source: Getty Images Improper ladder use, wrong steps common causes of injuries to drilling crews.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/92147 Fri, 12 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/92147-tips-for-assessing-fall-hazards-on-drilling-jobs step on a drilling platform How often have you had a bad step on a drilling platform? Many fall injuries associated with water well, geotechnical and other types of drilling involve relatively short distances. Source: Dave Bowers Guardrails on a frack tank Guardrails on a frack tank. Like PFA gear, guardrails must meet certain specifications, including minimum weight support and height standards. Source: Dave Bowers