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BDA eNewsletter | Issue: October 2021
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Introduction from our Chair - Richard Fielden
In the week the Government released its 'build back greener' report, there has never been such interest and awareness of the possibilities of the contribution that geothermal heat pumps can make to achieving low carbon heating. British Drilling Association (BDA) Members need to be at the forefront of the scaling up of our industry to meet the ambition of the government to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. An estimated 10% of these heat pumps will be connected to boreholes. The BDA has been working with the GSHPA to ensure that the drillers of the boreholes meet our standards for health, safety, competence and quality of the drilling and loop / well installation through the Audit scheme. It is intended that the BDA Audit will be an integral part of the ground source energy industry standard and certification scheme too. The Audit endorsement is currently under review ready for launch in January 2022.
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I would also like to give a plug and reminder to enter the BDA Awards. Awards of recent years have shown just how innovative and forward thinking we are as a sector, and they are a great way to highlight this, as well as promoting your business. There are numerous categories available – listed in the article below – and I am sure all of us have something great to shout about!
As the BDA evolves, so too do the rules and constitution that governs us, so please make sure you review the recent changes and make comments as appropriate. Details are included in this newsletter.
Established during lockdowns to ensure we maintained regular contact and dialogue with members, the BDA webinars have grown enormously. The recent one, which looked at ‘Groundwater Problems in Construction’, was the best attended to-date, with some 160+ registrations. The webinar’s ability to bring people together ‘virtually’ from many locations has shown us they are a valuable tool in our events calendar and whilst we will be looking to introduce face-to-face events again during 2022, the webinars will continue as appropriate in the future.
In closing, I am sure you will have all noticed the rising cases of COVID-19, but it is worth noting that as a sector construction has been almost a model for how to work safely, minimise risk and protect our colleagues. Let’s not be complacent, keep up the good work and stay safe.
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BDA Awards – Open for Submissions
The BDA Awards 2021 are now open for submissions and are a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals within the drilling sector.
The Awards categories are:
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• DRILLER OF THE YEAR
• EXCELLENCE AWARD
• SAFETY AWARD
As with last year, the Awards will be held virtually and judging will be undertaken by small group of senior officers from within the BDA Management committee, consisting of the BDA Chair, Vice Chair and Directors’. The judging panel will produce a shortlist, and the winners will be presented with their trophy at a date thereafter.
The closing date for entries is 19th November 2021, with winners announced 10th December 2021.
For details of each award, and how to enter, visit the BDA website:
https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/product/bda-awards-2021/
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BDA Constitution & Rules – Feedback Required
The BDA Management Committee has been updating and modernising the existing BDA Constitution and Rules, and at the Management Committee meeting, held 30th September 2021, the new Constitution and Rules were agreed.
There will now be a period (to 1st January 2022) for BDA Members to comment on the proposed changes, the BDA Management Committee would encourage all members to download and examine the documents.
The consultation period is open until 1st January 2022 and any comments received will be reviewed at the first BDA Management Committee Meeting of 2022 and discussed with the originators after consideration.
Subsequently, both documents will be tabled at the BDA AGM in 2022, for official adoption by Association.
To download the constitution and rules documents, as well as the feedback form visit: https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/news/bda-constitution-and-rules-changes/
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The BDA Audit – The Changes Explained
The BDA has published an informative article that explains some of the more recent changes to the BDA Audit.
Specifically, it discusses the evolution of the Audit and some of the new questions that have been added focussing on the technical knowledge of the drilling crew. The article also explains how historically, it has focussed on compliance with the various health and safety regulations and legislation applicable to land drilling operations in the UK, but the additional questions aim to broaden the scope of the audit.
This means it now assess the competence of a drilling crew’s compliance with drilling-specific standards to achieve quality results, rather than simply assess if they are drilling safely.
Well worth a read, the full article can be found here:
https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/news/the-bda-audit-the-changes-explained/
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Charity Donation
As a thank you for the hard work that Steve Tomlinson provided free of charge, on compiling the BDA’s Rotary Drilling Manual, the BDA has made donations to several of his chosen charities. Namely: Bliss, Jessop Wing Hospital, Just4Children, and Emilia Wade – all charities that relate to premature babies and children born with major health problems.
These donations follow a similar one made to Southwest Herts Samaritans, on Steve’s behalf, earlier this year.
With Steve not accepting any payment for the work he undertook on behalf of the BDA, donating to his preferred charities on his behalf seemed entirely appropriate.
Many thanks to Steve for his hard work and continual support of the Association.
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October BDA Webinar Reviewed
The recent BDA webinar, held 20th October 2021, looked at the fascinating topic of “Groundwater Problems in Construction - Lessons for Ground Investigation” and was the best attended to-date.
Presented by Dr Martin Preene, Technical Director, Richter, the webinar discussed that as most things in the built environment sit on or in the ground, the construction industry relies on ground investigation data to plan, build, maintain (and sometimes litigate!) its projects.
Specifically, Martin’s presentation focussed on one important aspect of ground investigations – groundwater conditions – which can have a key effect on below-ground construction projects.
Using case study examples of problems during construction, the presentation showed how factors such as permeability, groundwater levels and the presence of aquifers and aquitards can cause problems during excavations and tunnelling.
The full webinar precis, together with a link to the webinar recording, is available here: https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/news/bda-webinar-october-2021-groundwater-problems-in-construction-lessons-for-ground-investigation-reviewed/
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BDA Chair Presents in Ground Forum Podcast
Richard Fielden, BDA Chair and Managing Director of WJ Groundwater, features in the latest episode [7 October 2021] of “Breaking Ground”, the regular podcast series run by Ground Forum, in partnership with Ground Engineering magazine.
A great listen, Steve Hadley (Chair of the Federation of Piling Specialists and Managing Director of Central Piling) talks with Richard about the world of ground water and dewatering and discusses Richard’s interest in ‘big holes in the ground’ following working on a large basement project in Central London, which led him to take an interest in groundwater and dewatering.
Well worth a listen, the podcast can be found here:
https://www.britishdrillingassociation.co.uk/news/bda-chair-talks-groundwater/
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BDA Shortlisted in Ground Engineering Awards 2021
Don’t forget to show your support for the BDA and its shortlisted ‘Manual for Rotary Drilling’, in the ‘Health & Safety’ category at the 2021 Ground Engineering Awards.
Being held 23rd November 2021, at The Brewery, in London, the Awards celebrate the very best in geotechnical engineering, and showcase the projects, people and businesses that have excelled during the last 12 months.
Take advantage of the 15% discount the BDA has negotiated for members looking to book a table of ten.
To find out more and to book, visit - https://awards.geplus.co.uk/book-now. If you experience any issues with discounts, please contact debbie@joocemarketing.co.uk
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BDA Welcomes New Member
The BDA is pleased to welcome M2 Technical Services North Wales as the latest company to join the ever-growing ranks of the Association.
We look forward to M2 Technical Services contribution to the Association and the real-world knowledge they bring.
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External Events – Supported by the BDA
Borehole Users Conference
The Borehole Users Conference is the only conference in the UK dedicated to industrial and private water supplies and is back on 4th November 2021.
Run in collaboration with the British Soft Drinks Association, this event offers practical, relevant information from expert speakers and exhibitors giving you the knowledge and confidence to sustain or develop your private water supply.
The theme this year is 'Drilling Boreholes is a Risky Business' and will guide you through the construction, regulatory, and all-important financial risks associated with borehole development and the practical ways in which you can achieve success.
The Borehole Users Conference is perfectly tailored to owners, operators and regulators of private water supplies and includes a highly acclaimed trade exhibition, which boasts drillers, pump and equipment suppliers, laboratory services, geophysical contractors, monitoring equipment and more.
This in-person event will be hosted at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, situated close to both the M1, M6 and within 20 minutes of Lichfield train station.
For more information and to book your ticket, visit: www.envireauwater.co.uk/BHUC-2021 or email: Marketing@envireauwater.co.uk
20% Discount for BDA Members - ABMEC Conference & Expo
The BDA is pleased to be supporting the ABMEC Conference, which is being held 25th November 2021, at Mercure Daventry Court Hotel.
The ABMEC Annual Conference & Exhibition attracts high-profile delegates, exhibitors, and speakers, spanning mine producers and procurement managers to engineers and original equipment, all with an interest in the British mining supply chain.
For more information and to register for the event visit:
https://abmec.org.uk/abmec_events/abmec-conference-2021/ and to qualify for your BDA discount, please add “BDA” in the discount box upon registration.
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