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AGS / BDA Meeting to review the BDA Driller Accreditation Scheme Malcolm Gamble (Chairman) and Brian Stringer (National Secretary) of the British Drilling Association visited WEEKS' offices in Kent on 18th January 2000 for a meeting to review the effectiveness of the BDA's Driller Accreditation Scheme. The AGS was represented by Keith Gabriel and Tony Hodgson, who is also on the BDA committee. The BDA are concerned that a recent survey of AGS members showed that 50% of consultants/specifiers do not routinely specify that drillers must be BDA accredited, and when they do call for accredited drillers they seldom ask drillers to produce their accreditation cards. It was also recognised that there are presently a significant number of competent drillers who have not sought accreditation, probably because they do not consider that the existing BDA scheme would provide them with any significant benefits. In order to obtain accreditation under the current scheme a driller must pass a one day assessment. This assessment includes checks on the condition of the rig and all relevant safety documentation. Subsequently, in order to maintain accreditation, the driller must be audited annually, although the rules allow this audit to be carried out at intervals of up to 18 months. The AGS fully supports the intentions of the driller accreditation scheme, namely to improve standards of competence, health and safety in the drilling industry. The scheme, together with other BDA initiatives, has improved standards of safety on ground investigation sites; however, from the specifier's view point, the scheme has not made a significant impact on the quality of the drilling process, sampling, in-situ testing and data collection. This situation is borne out by the BDA's survey of AGS members; the reasons given by firms who only sometimes specified the use of BDA accredited drillers included:
Possible methods of strengthening the accreditation scheme were discussed. Proposals put forward by the AGS included:
Such changes should give the scheme more credibility with consultants which, in turn, would assist the BDA by encouraging more drillers to obtain accreditation. Malcolm Gamble stated that he is "very much in favour" of strengthening the initial assessments. The challenge will be to keep the overall accreditation process affordable. The BDA also asked for assistance from AGS members with the monitoring and policing of the scheme, in particular:
The BDA hope that the new NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) scheme, which is currently being introduced by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), will contribute to 'ratchetting up' of the overall competence of drillers. In particular, the BDA have welcomed the inclusion of an 'evidence trail' for the driller's experience. The meeting recognised that the NVQs are unlikely to produce a significant improvement in the quality of the drilling process, sampling, testing and data collection. It was therefore agreed that means of strengthening these aspects in the accreditation scheme will need to be considered further, together with the possibility of introducing endorsements covering specialist techniques to the basic accreditation certificate. The BDA have invited the AGS to make a presentation to one of their main Management Committee meetings. It was also agreed that closer liaison should be established between the two associations. The AGS welcomes this move, as the two associations have many areas of common interest and members are invited to submit to Dianne Jennings any drilling-related issues which they wish to have raised with the BDA. Keith Gabriel After many years of work, the BDA is pleased to announce the launch of a complete training package for drillers in the drilling industry. It is based around the newly available Land Drilling National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and provides a structured and comprehensive training system from new starter, through driller (second man), to lead driller and supervisor. Two full colour leaflets (one for employers and one for
employees) about the new NVQ schemes have been prepared by the CITB/BDA. Copies
of these leaflets and details of the venues for the above seminars may be
obtained by contacting the BDA office (01327 264622). Ultimately, the BDA
anticipate that the highest industry standard will be 'NVQ, BDA Accredited',
although it is accepted that this is likely to take about five years to achieve. Geosynthetics Hotline Established A new advice service has been established by Maunsell's to assist anyone who is considering the use of Geosynthetics. Maunsell's experts led by Steve Corbet can provide a full independent advice, design, detailing, and specification service either by email or telephone. Up to 10 minutes help by telephone or an answer to an email request will be provided free of charge. Additional advice would be charged at an agree fee. Steve Corbet has over 20 years experience with geosynthetics, he is a Council Member of the IGS and represents the ACE on BSI Technical Committees B553: Geosynthetics and is the Chairman of B526/4:Reinforced and Strengthened Soils. Steve is one of the UK experts to the CEN TC 189 Geosynthetics, he has been responsible for drafting several of the new EN Standards for geosynthetics testing and procedures which will lead to the 'CE' marking of geosynthetics. Steve is also leading the preparation of a British Standard for the Classification of Geomembranes. The service will be of value to designers, contractors, installers, regulators, manufacturers and suppliers covering all aspects of geosynthetics, for all uses. Contact the 'GEOSYNTHETICS HOTLINE' Steve Corbet Telephone : 0906 55 31 152 or Fax : +44 (0) 181 663 6723 Bringing Home the Benefits from Around the World Some 60 companies have benefited from using a DTI service which aims to help UK businesses gain that competitive edge in products and services. The International Secondments service supports UK companies in overseas secondments of individuals from any discipline to any country for periods of 3 to 12 months. The objective: to help them learn best practice, improve productivity and develop overseas links. The service has helped companies second members of their staff to leading overseas companies in some 25 countries. As a result they have improved their management and their efficiency, reduced costs, improved their customer base, developed staff and forged links with leading overseas firms that have lead to business alliances and opportunities. They have also disseminated the benefits and lessons learned to their UK companies. The service, which gives both financial and practical support, focuses on companies with up to 2,000 employees. There is additional financial help for companies with fewer than 250 staff to assist in covering the cost of filling the gap left by the secondee during the secondment. Firms employing more than 2,000 people receive practical support and limited financial help. Assistance is given in language and presentational skills. For a copy of the International Secondments brochure contact Karen Hopwood on 020 7215 3891; fax 020 7215 3934 or email karen.hopwood@rsme.dti.gov.uk Those entering the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental "industries" have a range of professional backgrounds including Geology, Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences. Some will have obtained specialist post-graduate qualifications which are more closely allied to this area of technology but on-the-job training remains a particularly valuable part of any professional's source of learning. To augment this vital training resource there has been a growth in courses or seminars provided by educational establishments, learned societies or trade associations. Continuous Professional Development is required by chartering institutions as a part of both qualification for chartered status and maintenance of standards. However, the search for appropriate courses or seminars can be difficult and result in them being inadequately attended and the loss of a learning opportunity. Those putting on courses may duplicate others already being put on whilst some areas may not be covered at all. Recognition of these problems led Andrew Bowden of the Geological Society to contract the British Geotechnical Society and the AGS with a view to addressing this problem. As a result, the Geotechnical Training Co-ordinating Committee (GTCC) has been established with the following objectives:-
One of the outcomes of the work to date is its website, maintained as part of the Geological Society's site at www.geolsoc.org.uk/gtcclist.htm Having originally trawled through publicity for existing courses to formulate a list, the providers are now beginning to contract the committee as part of their publicity programme. Should you be aware of courses which could be of interest to the geotechnical/geoenvironmental community please contact one of the committee members listed at the end of this article. There will be a "health warning" associated with the listing since at this stage the courses have not been validated or their quality assessed. However, it is intended to set up a system for assessing quality in terms of Planning (clear aims, outcomes, target audience, qualified leaders, appropriate venue), Presentation (visual aids, documentation, participation), Evaluation (completion of questionnaires) and Reporting (course leader's summary of participants and evaluations). Courses put on by the Societies or Associations which have formed the committee include ones on Desk Studies, Construction above mineworkings, Laboratory Testing and Contaminated Land. Future topics could include Combined Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Investigations, Safety and Computing. Should you have any ideas for courses or seminars contact AGS members of the committee, Jim Pickard (e-mail jim.pickard@cityanalytical.co.uk) and Len Threadgold (e-mail len@lt.geotechnics.co.uk). The Committee Chairman is Andrew Bowden (e-mail andrew_bowden@mouchel.com). Richard Driscoll will be collating the quality questionnaire data in due course. Len Threadgold Geotechnical Training Co-ordination Committee Are you responsible for training within your organisation? Or are you a recently qualified engineer, engineering geologist or geoenvironmentalist working towards chartered status? The AGS has teamed up with the Engineering group of the Geological Society and the British Geotechnical Society to provide a comprehensive listing of courses available specifically aimed at those working in the geotechnical and geoenvironmental fields. Details of over 100 courses are available on the Internet at www.geolsoc.org.uk/gtcclist.htm If you are aware of any courses which may be relevant but are not listed please send the details to Andrew Bowden (e-mail Andrew_Bowden@mouchel.com). |
