Safety

Plugging your drill bits? Consider the following...

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:52:56 -0400

From tricone to PDCs, today's bits are impressive and powerful as they've ever been. But they’re only as effective as how they’re utilized.

Relentless Heat in 2026 Raises Stakes for Drilling Safety

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

More frequent and intense heatwaves are becoming part of the operating landscape, not an exception to it.

From Olympic Water Strain to the DOE’s Energy Shakeup

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Episode 157 of The Driller Newscast finds host Brock Yordy connecting winter safety, major DOE restructuring, and the growing overlap between water, drilling, and geothermal energy.

A Driller's Life: Safety at Home

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Entry number 8 of Jim Beath's engrossing series - this one is about safety on and off the rig.

A Driller's Life: The Safety Culture

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:31:20 -0500

We're lucky to be working in a safety culture. Is it becoming an industry of its own? I'd say yes, and we can’t stop it, nor should we. If we just follow the light that the safety gods shine at our feet, all might be well. Right? Who knows? I do know that if I hadn’t broken my wrist, you wouldn't be reading this.

Drilling Safety Starts Behind the Wheel

questions@askbrock.com (Brock Yordy) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500

In light of the Jan. 9, 2015 Interstate 94 massive vehicle pileup, it is a good time to reflect on our industry and the many miles we drive every day.

Don't Let the Cold Take Out Your Crew

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A cold crew is a distracted crew—and on a drilling site, distractions get expensive fast. Following are simple strategies for staying ahead of cold stress:

Safety Isn’t Optional: A Sobering Reminder from the Jobsite

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Safety is not a box to check. It is a culture. It is a mindset. It is a responsibility.

HSI Rolls Out AI-Powered Corrective Actions to Revolutionize Workplace Safety

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:21:56 -0400

HSI Intelligence includes several other tools designed to simplify day-to-day EHS tasks.

Digging Deeper: Why Mental Health Matters in Drilling and Construction

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for free, confidential mental health support anytime.

OSHA: Saving Lives in Tight Spaces

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As industries push forward with bigger builds, deeper digs, and faster timelines, safety must evolve, too.

How to Build a Resilient Workforce in Construction

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0400

It’s time to stop waiting for workers to break. Instead, let’s build them up — with support, connection, and compassion woven into the foundation of our industry.

Building More Than Structures: Building Community

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

By supporting mental health and building connections on job sites and beyond, we create safer, healthier workplaces where no one feels invisible or alone.

7 Real-World Challenges Drilling Contractors Face

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Seven major challenges faced by drilling contractors, ranging from urban site constraints and extreme weather to permitting complications and on-the-fly problem solving.

OSHA Renews Alliance to Equip Teen Workers with Life-Saving Safety Skills

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The initiative is part of OSHA’s broader Alliance Program, which fosters partnerships with unions, trade organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to promote workplace health and safety.

Ask Brock: How Do We Stay Safe When the Job Never Cools Off?

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:30:00 -0400

Welcome back to Ask Brock, the series where we tackle the toughest—and sometimes sweatiest—questions facing drillers today.

Hard Hats and Habits: Rethinking Head Protection in Drilling

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

If you need to replace your whole hard hat, consider a new safety helmet designed to increase head protection.

The Job Site Fit Check: Boots

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

If your feet aren’t working, you aren’t either. In water well and geothermal drilling, you need boots that do more than just exist—they need to perform.

Worker Groups Float Revisions to OSHA's Proposed Heat Rule

josephjsmith749@gmail.com (J.J. Smith) — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cal/OSHA strengthened worker-heat-protections by mandating specific requirements from employers, including worker rest breaks in shaded areas without risk of retaliation.

Hard Hats, Hot Takes, and Dad Jokes: Drillers Talk Safety and Geothermal’s Future

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:30:00 -0400

In this episode of The Driller Newscast, Host Brock Yordy dives into the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” making waves in Washington—legislation with major implications for the drilling, HVAC, and geothermal industries.

OSHA Safety Stand-Down 2025 Targets Deadly Construction Falls

Tue, 06 May 2025 02:04:30 -0400

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and its partners are once again promoting the National Safety Stand-Down, an initiative that encourages employers and workers across the country to refocus on fall prevention.

Don’t Tell Me How to Do My Job

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:03:00 -0400

If we want the industry to grow without stepping on toes or wasting time, we need to rethink how we approach engineering and execution.

The High Cost of Cutting Corners: Why Safety Standards Matter More Than Ever in the Drilling Industry

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

With a new administration pushing for deregulation and changes at OSHA, the future of workplace safety in the drilling industry is uncertain.

Scam Targeting Drilling Tool Dealers Spreads—Here’s What to Watch For

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0400

One company recently encountered the scheme when a scammer placed an order for tools and then tried to convince them to pay a freight company via ACH transfer.

Fostering a Safer and More Inclusive Environment in the Drilling Industry During Women in Construction Week

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0500

It's crucial to address workplace harassment in the drilling industry, foster open conversations, and create a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.

Applying Coiled Tubing Technology to Ground-Source Geothermal

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 16:30:00 -0500

Soren Soe, Rig Developer, discusses the advantages of utilizing Coiled Tube Drilling.

Global Influences on Drilling Technology Progress

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:30:00 -0500

A 21st Century Approach to developing new drilling technology.

Breakdown: The EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” Initiative

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:00:06 -0500

New EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin just kicked off the Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, aiming to boost both environmental protection and economic growth.

Leading Civilization Requires Water, Fossil Fuels, & Minerals

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Control of a nation's natural resources is vital to sustaining growth.

Securing Groundwater & Drilling Professionals' Future

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In episode 140 of The Driller Newscast, anchor Brock Yordy drills into the future of the drilling industry.