Hyper Lapse, Safety Lessons, and the Reality of Competency Gaps: Plant Diary – March 01, 2025
This morning, I experimented with a hyper-lapse video while walking from the main gate to the plant. I love these videos—watching time compress as movement unfolds in seconds. There are two ways to shoot: one where the camera moves while the object stays stationary, and the other where the camera is fixed while the surroundings change. I did both—first walking with the camera, then placing it in the workshop to capture the space gradually filling with people. Watching the transformation in fast motion was fascinating.
Morning Talk: A Lesson in Emergency Response and Life’s Burdens
Today’s morning talk was led by our Safety Officer, Mr. Yendabre, who demonstrated how to lift an unconscious person. His military background gave him valuable expertise in handling such situations. I appreciated his demonstration—it was precise, practical, and something everyone should know.
Lifting a Load vs. Lifting Financial Burdens
Today, while discussing safe lifting techniques, I connected them to how we handle financial burdens in life. The reaction was immediate—people understood the concept better when they saw how it applied to their daily struggles.
1️⃣ Bend from the knees, not from the waist.
🔹 Lifting: If you bend from the waist, you might injure your back.
🔹 Finance: If you take financial decisions in haste, without proper planning, you may face losses.
✅ Example: Don’t rush into a big loan just because it looks easy—plan it properly to avoid future strain.
2️⃣ Stay as close as possible to the load.
🔹 Lifting: The farther the load, the harder it is to lift.
🔹 Finance: The less you know about your financial commitments, the riskier they become.
✅ Example: If you're taking a loan or an EMI, know the exact interest rate, terms, and conditions—don’t just assume.
3️⃣ Lift with your legs, not your waist.
🔹 Lifting: Your legs are stronger than your back—use them.
🔹 Finance: Use your strengths (skills, expertise) to generate income instead of overburdening yourself.
✅ Example: Instead of relying on loans, focus on improving your skills to earn more and reduce financial stress.
4️⃣ If the load is too heavy, ask for help.
🔹 Lifting: Trying to lift beyond your capacity can cause serious injury.
🔹 Finance: If a financial burden is too big, seek advice instead of making costly mistakes.
✅ Example: If you’re struggling with debt, consult a financial expert instead of taking another loan to cover the old one.
This simple connection between lifting a load safely and handling financial burdens wisely made people see things differently. The best part? They nodded in agreement—proof that the message really sank in.
From there, I shifted the discussion to the 5 Cardinal Rules of Safety, especially emphasizing Rule #4: "Do not come to duty under the influence of alcohol or any other such substance." I keep repeating these rules—not just as policies, but as core principles that ensure survival and efficiency in an industrial environment.
Here’s a refresher of the rules:
- Do not override or overrule safety mechanisms.
- Take proper line clearance before working.
- Always wear appropriate PPEs.
- Do not report to duty under the influence of alcohol or any such substance.
- Report any unusual, abnormal, or unsafe condition.
These rules are simple but non-negotiable. Repetition ensures that they become second nature.
Legal Notice – The Never-Ending Attempts to Exploit the Company
A legal notice arrived today from a landowner demanding compensation—claiming an exaggerated sum based on overestimated crop losses due to delayed land return. This has become routine—everyone tries to milk the company. The entitlement mentality is frustrating, but such cases need careful handling. We cannot allow false claims to set a precedent.
The HAG Project: A Lesson in Basics and Competency
The HAG (Hot Air Generator) Project was supposed to be completed in December 2024, but it remains unfinished. When I asked for an update and a punch-list of pending jobs, the team requested time until March 4, 2025.
"Why?" I asked.
I instructed them to sit together and prepare the pending job list by evening. The hesitation and lack of urgency were concerning—it showed a fundamental gap in competency.
After an hour, I checked back. Instead of compiling a punch-list, they were stuck making a bar chart.
This is a basic misunderstanding of project stages.
I had to clarify again:
- A bar chart is needed when starting a project—for planning and scheduling.
- A punch-list is needed at the final stage—to track incomplete or pending work, ensuring nothing is missed before closing the project.
This incident highlighted why project delays happen. If people don’t understand the fundamental difference between a bar chart and a punch-list, they cannot effectively drive projects to completion.
This is something I need to fix. The solution?
- More clarity on expectations.
- Better guidance on execution.
- Holding people accountable for delivery.
Final Thoughts
Today was a mix of learning, frustration, and insights. The hyper-lapse reminded me of how fast change can happen when things are set in motion. The safety talk reinforced the importance of preparedness. The legal notice was just another reminder of external challenges. And the HAG Project delays? Proof that competency gaps must be addressed before efficiency can be achieved.
Every day brings lessons and opportunities. The key is to make sure we act on them.
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