To do the job safely and right the first time you need complete information. Have you ever seen a worker sent to do a job, having been given only a part of the job instructions? Don´t be shy about asking for explanations about work procedures and safety precautions. It isn´t dumb to ask questions; it´s dumb not to.

Too often as we maneuver through our daily task, we become narrow minded and complacent looking at what is only in front of use. Many, if not all of us have heard the old adage "THINKING OUT SIDE THE BOX" but fail to do so. To think outside the box is to look further and to try not thinking of the obvious things, but to try thinking beyond them. The reasons for this to allow our awareness to remain heighten, looking for the unexpected in an attempt to mitigate or abate hazards that can and will eventually cause and injury or an incident.

Learn to focus on the present. Why? You may ask.  The past is unchangeable so it is not worth dwelling on it, unless you are making sure you do not repeat past mistakes.  The future is a result of your actions today.  So learn from the past in order to do better in the present, and improve upon your future.

Remember you are not restricted to learning just from your mistakes, but from other people´s mistakes as well.

"S´il vous plaît et merci"–"Please and Thank you". 

Working in different parts of the country or even different countries offers many challenges and operational differences to working in the Gulf Coast area or, in general, the United States.  In Quebec, the dominant language is French and, as stated by the residents, it is "proud French".  Conversations can be difficult – can be frustrating – and can be misinterpreted.  When addressing the project teams for construction or engineering, we want to make sure that courtesy and respect is in the fore front of our objectives.  Work interventions, both positive and negative, can be kept on a non-adversarial level with a respectful approach and common courtesy.  
 
A sensitive area of cultural differences, methods, and operational approaches to similar situations reminds us to be understanding and courteous to everyone – 

"S´il vous plaît et merci."