Onboarding plan
Rotary Drill Operator Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new rotary drill operator from first day to full productivity.
Rotary Drill Operator onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: IADC WellSharp Driller, IADC RigPass (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: driller’s cabin controls; top drive and drawworks; mud pumps; BOP controls
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Rotary Drill Operator training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Run regular well control drills
- Keep hands clear of pinch points
- Enforce PPE and stop work authority
- Watch for H2S and kick indicators
- Shadow an experienced rotary drill operator through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: shut in a well after a kick
- Supervised practice: lead a pre-tour safety meeting
- Supervised practice: make a connection safely
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Operate drilling controls: independently
- Control weight on bit and rotation: independently
- Monitor well control indicators: independently
- Supervise the floor crew: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, IADC WellSharp Driller)
- Discuss the career path: Floorhand → Derrickhand → Driller
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shut In a Well After a Kick | |||
| Lead a Pre-Tour Safety Meeting | |||
| Make a Connection Safely | |||
| Rig operation | |||
| Well control | |||
| Drilling parameters | |||
| Crew supervision |
How to measure onboarding success
- Weeks to first qualification sign-off
- Procedure compliance and safety observations
- Recordable incidents and near-misses
- First-year retention
How Rotary Drill Operator training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Rotary Drill Operator Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Rotary Drill Operator Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Rotary Drill Operator Career
- Final Knowledge Check