Published March 2022

The Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations (BSOR) were made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974 (HSWA) and came into force in 1995. Although many of the requirements in the BSOR are no longer carried out routinely, they are still legally enforceable and are in addition to the requirements laid down by the Coal Authority.

The perception within the geotechnical industry is that, unless boreholes are specifically for mineral exploration or evaluation, the regulations do not apply. Therefore, the concern is that the obligations linked to these regulations appear to have largely been either forgotten or overlooked. This guidance clarifies the requirements of these regulations and outlines the procedure to enable organisations to meet those legal obligations.