Dave Bowers

Know the strengths, weaknesses of different connecting technologies.

Much of a wire rope can be in good working order, while some sections may still be at the point of replacement or failure. This column covers a few different methods of visual inspection.

Wire rope, despite its durability and strength, eventually wears out and must be removed. Regular inspection is crucial.

Wire rope is, in fact, a dynamic machine and, like all machines, requires a little knowledge to get optimal performance and safety.

How much does the average driller really know about wire rope? What industry standards apply?

Horizontal directional drilling, like any type of drilling, has inherent safety risks that must be mitigated.

As drilling professionals, we should encourage consistently safe behaviors from all drill crew members, tool pushers, foremen and even the company owner. One of the most effective ways to do this is to lead by example.

I recently attended a safety training conference where a retired Chicago police officer gave a talk on mental focus and situational awareness. He advocated using the “Cooper code” to reduce incidents and mistakes at the jobsite.

Your hands are part of almost every activity you do at work or at home. Protecting them is imperative.

Drillers are expected to be proficient with boom trucks, bulldozers, skid steers, fork trucks, and myriad other equipment. So what does proficiency mean?