Brian Foot

Background

About Brian Foot

My goal and the reason I left the drilling rigs was a simple one. I want everyone to go home to their families at the end of their hitch with the same parts they came to work with and with a smile on their face. The industry has come a long way with regards to safety and proper training, however, until we actually reach a point where there are truly zero incidents, I believe there is still much to be done. I have had my share of stitches and broken bones. I've seen more than my share of blood on a site, whether it was my own, or someone else's is irrelevant. The fact that it's practically expected that a person will get injured or killed while working in the oil field, is unacceptable in my opinion. At the end of every one of the courses I taught at ABCS, I let the students know they aren't just a pay cheque for me and that I genuinely strive to ensure that nobody I train will ever get hurt doing something I certified them to do. I believe my courses were successful, because I've been the new guy, the 'expendable' leasehand and I ensure that they know that I started out, like they did, at the bottom, without proper training and very little guidance. I also let them know that I'm trying to change not just their outlook on safety, but to change the culture of the industry with regards to safe work practices. What I've learned thus far is, no matter what your experience level, there is always something to learn. Crew members that have never even seen an oil rig or an oil sands site, have either given me new insights, or even came up with new ways to approach situations that come up. Every contact we make changes your perception.