1.1 The general term "Drill Rig" covers several differing types of machines for use in the construction
industry, water well drilling industry, mining and quarrying, for use above ground as well as underground and
for tunnel construction. The differing tasks determine the choice of drilling method and type of machine. For
this reason there are many possible ways to separate drill rigs into different groups, e.g. in accordance with:
The task;
The drilling method used;
The cutting removal method;
The type of construction work.
The methods used for drilling can be basically differentiated in percussive and rotary drilling principles.
Percussive drilling is a method by which the hole is produced by crushing the ground or rock at the bottom
of the drill-hole by striking it with the drilling tool and removing the cuttings out of the bore-hole.
Rotary drilling is a method in which the drilling tool at the bottom of the borehole is rotated and at the same
time, a feed force is applied by a feed system or drill collar. The ground or rock at the bottom of the borehole
is crushed or cut by pressure, shear or tensile stress produced by the different drilling tools. The cuttings are
periodically or continuously removed out of the bore hole.
Rotary percussive drilling is performed by a piston striking directly on the bit (down the hole hammer drills)
or by percussive energy transmitted via a drill string to the bit. The piston is powered by either hydraulic fluid
or compressed air.
At the same time the drill bit is rotated either continuously or intermittently.
The cuttings are continuously removed out of the borehole by a flushing medium, air or fluid which is carried to
the drilling tool.
Typical examples of drill rigs covered by this standard are:
Cable tool drill rig;
Pile drill rigs;
Pile top drill rig;
Raise borer;
Reverse circulation drill rig;
Rotary and percussive drill rig for underground drilling;
Rotary and percussive drill rig for surface drilling;
Rotary drill rig with power swivel;
Rotary spindle rig;
Rotary drill rig for underground use.
A casing or a drilling fluid may be used to stabilize the bore hole.
Drill rigs are stationary during drilling. They may move from one place of work to another, under their own
power. Self propelled drill rigs may include those mounted on lorries, wheeled chassis, tractors, crawlers, skid
bases (pulled by winch). When drill rigs are mounted on lorries, tractors and trailers, or are wheeled based,
transportation may be carried out at higher speeds and on public roads. When designing and constructing
these units attention is drawn to regulations covering both the drill rig and traffic regulations.
The questions of safety and ergonomic criteria in this standard mainly refer to the principal work, e.g. when
the machine is stationary and drilling. In many cases the driver is also the operator of the drill rig.
1.2 This standard deals with the significant hazards pertinent to mechanized drill rigs, when used as
intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer. It specifies requirements of safety
concerning the design, construction, operation and maintenance. This standard applies to drill rigs for surface
and underground drilling in the tunnelling, mining, construction and water well drilling industries. Casing units
are also covered by this standard.
If the base of a drill rig consists of an excavator, crane, etc. it shall be covered by its own standards to the
extent the requirements of this standard are not applicable.
For drill rigs to be used in an explosive atmosphere (coal mining etc.) the relevant standards apply
additionally.
Oil and gas industry drill rigs are not covered by this standard.
BS EN 791:1995+A1:2009 Referenced Document
EN 22860:1985 Earth-moving machinery; Minimum access dimensions (ISO 2860-1983, edition 3, 1983-06-01) incorporating an agreed common modification
EN 23164:1985 Earth-moving machinery; Laboratory evaluations of roll-over and falling-object protective structures; Specifications for the deflection-limiting volume (ISO 3164-1979, edition 2, with Amendment 1-1980)
EN 23411:1988 Earth-moving machinery; Human physical dimensions of operators and minimum operator space envelope (ISO 3411-1982, 2nd edition)
EN 292-1:1991 Safety of machinery; basic concepts, general principles for design; part 1: basic terminology, methodology
EN 292-2:1991 Safety of machinery; basic concepts, general principles for design; part 2: technical principles and specifications
EN 294:1992 Safety of machinery; safety distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the upper limbs
EN 418:1992 Safety of machinery; emergency stop equipment, functional aspects; principles for design
EN 50081-2:1993 Electromagnetic Compatibility - Generic Emission Standard Part 2: Industrial Environment
EN 60204-1:1992 Safety of machinery; electrical equipment of machines; part 1: general requirements (IEC 204-1:1992, modified)
ISO 2631-1:1985 Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration; Part 1 : General requirements
ISO 2867:1989 Earth-moving machinery; access systems
prEN 953 Safety of machinery; general requirements for the design and construction of quards (fixed, movable)
prEN 982 Safety requirements for fluid power systems and components; hydraulics
prEN 983 Safety requirements for fluid power systems and components; pneumatics
BS EN 791:1995+A1:2009 history
2014BS EN 16228-1:2014 Drilling and foundation equipment. Safety. Common requirements