WorldWide Drilling Resource

National Drilling Association Tel: 877-632-4748 Fax: 216-803-9900 www.nda4u.com 11 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2013 Drill Operator & Crew Training Options by Scott Cosby The primary focus of this month’s article is the best training options for drill operators, as well as crew members. There is a lot they need to know to per- form their jobs in an efficient and safe manner, such as the characteristics of different earth materials (e.g. soil and/or rock), how to work with these materials, and manning and maintaining the drilling equipment. In-House Training. This option can be applied at relatively low cost as train- ing in the drilling field. This type of train- ing can focus on a multitude of topics from first aid, safety, procedures, equip- ment, and so on through printed materi- als or possibly visits from outside experts or a designated person in one’s firm or agency to focus on these and other related drilling topics. Associations. Get your drill oper- ators and crew involved in associations, meetings, or seminars related to the industry. The Shallow Exploration Drillers Clinic (known as SEDC) is one such group I have great familiarity with, and it’s a good option for quality drilling and crew training through meeting and learning from those in the industry. See my arti- cle on this topic in WWDR May 2010, page 9. [Archives are available online at www.worldwidedrillingresource.com ] The National Drilling Association (NDA) is another good drilling-related association comprised of contractors, manufacturers, and affiliated members from the drilling industry representing the geotechnical, environmental, and mineral exploration sectors. NDA also offers drilling and safety reference mate- rials through their Web site. There are many more associations out there. You can find them with an Internet search. Instructor-Led Courses. Searching the Internet for this topic will yield enough information to keep one busy for a long time. Which course is the best choice for you will depend on the content, as well as the cost of the course. The best action plan here is do in-depth research on the courses being examined, and ask questions. Through its Web site, NDA often offers drilling and safety courses at various locations, and the cost of these courses is reduced when interested parties are members of the association. Water well associations sometimes offer courses related to their industry. GEFCO, Inc. in Enid, Oklahoma, offers a five-day comprehensive resource drill- ing fundamentals training seminar every May with staff from the Sir Sandford Fleming College (Canada) directing the course. The options for training drill oper- ators and crews are wide and vast for an agency or firm, and there’s not a right or wrong method to get the training. The point here is to get it any way possible without hurting the budget or productivity. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com In Memoriam Rick Dale Beck (1951~2013) Rick Dale Beck, 61, passed away May 10, 2013, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from injuries sustained in a work-related accident. He was a dedicated employee of Astec Industries, Inc. for 35 years. He was a tribal member of the Choctaw Indian Nation and enjoyed being outdoors working in the yard and riding a golf cart with his faithful dog Roscoe. Rick and son Justin could be found at the go-kart track on Saturdays, a passion they both loved. He was kind and respected by all who knew him. Rick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jan; son Justin and wife Misty; mother Mary Sue; and extended family. The management and staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® offer their sincere condolences to Rick’s family and friends on his unexpected loss. &% ! "" * "(%$ ))) (" $( ' & $ %# # " (" $( $ ( " !" !! ! &% ! % ! (" $( & $ $ $ " ! $ $ ! ! $ ! $ $ # $ $ $