HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD) OPERATOR ESSENTIALS (2DAYS)

HDD Operator Essentials is a two-day foundational course designed to develop the essential knowledge and safe working practices required to operate or support Horizontal Directional Drilling equipment. The course covers HDD machine components, pre-start checks, safe operation, tooling, drilling fluids, pilot drilling, reaming, pullback, communication, troubleshooting, and stop-work procedures.

2-Day Training Programme
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Target Participants

• New and experienced HDD operators
• Assistant operators and HDD crew members
• Site supervisors
• Contractors involved in HDD projects
• Technical personnel supporting HDD operations

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the HDD process from pilot drilling through reaming and pullback.
• Identify major HDD machine components and their functions.
• Conduct basic pre-start inspections and safety checks.
• Apply safe practices for machine setup, rod handling, tooling, and drilling operations.
• Understand the importance of bore planning, utility verification, drilling fluids, and locator communication.
• Recognise common operating problems and basic troubleshooting requirements.
• Identify stop-work conditions and understand when to report or escalate issues.
• Apply appropriate risk controls and develop safer operating habits.

Why It’s Worth Attending

• Provides a strong technical foundation for HDD operators and crew members.
• Promotes safer and more consistent machine operation.
• Helps reduce common operating mistakes and prevent avoidable incidents.
• Improves understanding of tooling, drilling fluids, machine limitations, and operating procedures.
• Strengthens communication between operators, locators, supervisors, and site teams.
• Introduces current trenchless technology practices and advancements.
• Includes training handouts for continued reference.
• Provides 20 CCD Points to support professional development.

Assessment & Certification

• Assessment focuses on participants’ understanding of HDD equipment, safe operating practices, tooling, drilling fluids, workflow, troubleshooting, and risk controls.
• Learning may be reinforced through practical discussions, scenarios, and workplace application.
• Participants who successfully complete the programme receive a Certificate of Achievement.
• 20 CCD Points are provided, subject to applicable CCD requirements.
• The course supports competence development but does not replace equipment-specific authorization, supervised practical training, or employer competency assessment.