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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8111

Driller

A driller is a person who sets up and operates drilling rigs, making holes for mineral exploration, for blasting operations and for construction purposes.

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Check yourself in a minute: driller

Rate 5 of the 10 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

maintain drilling equipment

inspect drilling equipment

troubleshoot

check borehole depth

position drills

About driller

The work starts with setting the rig up. The driller transports and positions the rig, levels it, secures the bearing and lays out the bits and the drill rods, because a hole made from an unlevelled rig wanders off the planned line. The driller inspects the drilling equipment before start-up: ropes, hoses, the hydraulic system and the condition of the tool.

The driller operates the rig, matches thrust, rotation and flushing flow to the rock being cut, and recognises from the way the machine works when a different stratum has been entered. The driller coordinates drilling, keeping the spacing, depth and sequence of holes to the design, and in blasting operations drills holes at the positions set by the blasting plan.

The driller maintains the rig, changes a worn tool and solves problems: jammed rods, loss of flushing fluid, a hole collapsing. The work involves moving parts and noise, so the driller follows safety rules and wears protective equipment.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a driller.

1

Drilling Equipment Setup and Operation

  • Set up drilling rigs and associated equipment at project sites according to specifications
  • Operate drilling equipment and machinery to create boreholes with precise specifications
  • Control drilling depth, speed, and pressure to meet project requirements and geological conditions
  • Monitor drilling parameters and adjust operations in real-time based on subsurface conditions
2

Equipment Maintenance and Inspection

  • Inspect drilling equipment regularly to identify wear, damage, and maintenance needs
  • Perform routine maintenance on drilling rigs, pumps, motors, and auxiliary equipment
  • Troubleshoot mechanical and operational problems affecting drilling performance
  • Maintain detailed records of equipment maintenance and repair activities
3

Borehole Monitoring and Quality Control

  • Check borehole depth continuously to ensure drilling meets specified requirements
  • Record drilling progress and document geological conditions encountered during operations
  • Monitor drilling fluids, casing, and other materials to ensure borehole integrity
  • Perform quality checks on completed boreholes to verify specifications and safety standards
4

Drilling Operations Coordination

  • Coordinate drilling activities with other team members and site personnel
  • Position drills and equipment correctly at specified borehole locations
  • Manage drilling crew schedules and ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulations
  • Communicate with site supervisors and engineers regarding drilling progress and issues
5

Transportation and Logistical Support

  • Transport drilling rigs and equipment to and from project sites
  • Organize and manage drilling materials and supplies at project locations
  • Ensure proper loading, unloading, and securing of drilling equipment

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (10)

maintain drilling equipmentmaintain drilling equipmentMaintenance and repair of a variety of drilling equipment.inspect drilling equipmentinspect drilling equipmentEnsure that all drilling equipment works correctly and safely; inspect machines before as well as during drilling operations.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.check borehole depthcheck borehole depthCheck the depth of boreholes; make sure that they are clean.position drillsposition drillsPlace drills in correct position; set depths and angles.coordinate drillingcoordinate drillingStart, oversee and stop drilling sessions; coordinate personnel on drilling site.transport drilling rigstransport drilling rigsMove and relocate drilling rigs from one site to another with a specialised transportation truck.set up drilling rigsset up drilling rigsBuild up the drilling rig and prepare it for use after selecting an appropriate drilling location. Dismantle the drilling rig after the operations have finished.record drillingrecord drillingRecord and analyse drilling performance details. Take drill core samples.operate drilling equipmentoperate drilling equipmentOperate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes usi...
Optional (9) — show
health and safety hazards undergroundhealth and safety hazards undergroundThe rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.inspect water wellsinspect water wellsExamine water wells for pollution and conformity with construction standards. Order well closures if necessary.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.operate core drilling equipmentoperate core drilling equipmentOperate an exploration drilling machine, which may be mobile or stationary, to drill and extract cores. React quickly to auditory and other changes to determine the course of action.operate drilling jumbooperate drilling jumboOperate a large, mobile mining machine equipped with pneumatic or hydraulic hammers to bore horizontal holes in hard rock to enable blasting. Drilling jumbos are used for mining development.impact of geological factors on mining operationsimpact of geological factors on mining operationsBe aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a driller do?

Drillers set up and operate drilling rigs and related equipment designed to drill holes for mineral exploration, in shotfiring operations, and for construction purposes.

What skills does a driller need?

A driller needs 10 essential skills, including maintain drilling equipment, inspect drilling equipment, troubleshoot, check borehole depth, position drills.

Will AI replace driller jobs?

The AI disruption score for driller is 10/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: check borehole depth, follow health and safety procedures in construction, troubleshoot. Most resilient: transport drilling rigs, provide first aid, maintain drilling equipment.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupStationary plant and machine operators
Essential Skills10

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