05/08/2026
Thanks Eric
As Construction Safety Week continues, we hear from Eric P. on what respect means to him.
"Safety isn’t just a requirement on a jobsite, it’s a mindset, a culture, and a responsibility we carry every day. During Safety Week, it’s important to step back and recognize that at the core of everything we do is Respect: respect for the plan, respect for the hazards we face, respect for one another, and respect for ourselves. Respecting the plan means more than just reading it, it means understanding it, following it, and trusting the process that has been put in place. Every step, every procedure, and every precaution exists for a reason. In drilling, the risks are real and unforgiving. Ground conditions change, pressures shift, and equipment operates under extreme weather and forces. When we respect the plan, we’re not just checking a box, we’re actively protecting lives. We also must respect the dangers involved in our work. Drilling is not routine, no matter how many holes we’ve put in the ground. Complacency is one of the biggest threats we face. Recognizing hazards before they become incidents is what separates a safe crew from being a statistic. Awareness, communication, and discipline keep us ahead of the risks. Equally important is respecting each other’s right to stop work. If something doesn’t look right, or if the plan isn’t fully understood, speaking up is not just allowed it’s expected. Stop work authority is one of the strongest tools we have, and it only works when it’s respected by the team. No questions, no hesitation, no second-guessing. Backing each other up in those moments builds trust and prevents injuries. We also need to have self-respect and pride in ourselves and our work. The safety plans we follow today were written from lessons learned often through someone else’s blood whether by injury or worse. That history demands our attention and our commitment. Following those standards isn’t about slowing down, it’s about honoring the cost it took to establish them and ensuring no one else has to pay that price again. At the end of the day, the standards we set defines the outcomes we get. As I always say: Standards First, Speed Second. When we take pride in our work, show respect for the process, maintain discipline, and look out for one another as a team, a brotherhood, safety becomes second nature. And when that happens, when we truly care about what we do and how we do it, it stops feeling like work and becomes something we Love and stand behind with pride. Safety is not a priority that changes, it’s a value that stays constant. Let’s carry that forward, not just this week, but every day we step on a Drill Rig pad / Jobsite."
