From Darkness to Light – A Vigilant Night and a Focused Morning
Key Points – 5th April
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Completed night vigilance duty—interacted with the team, reviewed area lighting.
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Returned in time for Line #1 light-up preparation.
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Morning meeting held on the burner platform—a change of setting brought new energy.
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Emphasized standardized shutdown planning with bar chart format.
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Long-standing DG#2 overheating issue diagnosed—inlet of heat exchanger was blocked.
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Reiterated importance of night shift job-planning for productivity.
Last night was my vigilance duty, and honestly, it was quite fulfilling. I didn’t just “check” the plant—I walked, observed, and most importantly, talked to the people. The night crew often works in silence, with machines as their only company. A casual conversation, a moment of presence—it makes a difference.
As I moved from section to section, I made it a point to review the area lighting. Some areas need improvement; better lighting is not just about visibility, it’s about safety, morale, and attention to detail.
Morning on the Burner Platform
Despite the late night, I returned just in time. Today was important—we had planned the Line #1 light-up.
Instead of our usual mechanical workshop meeting spot, I gathered everyone on the burner platform. A small change in environment can shift perspectives. And today, it did. The team was attentive, the mood was fresh, and the backdrop of the burner gave our safety and planning talk a more direct connection to reality.
Planning Must Evolve
I gave a clear instruction: shutdown job planning must be done in a standard format. A bar chart with defined activities, responsibilities, and timelines is not just a formality—it’s a tool to ensure efficiency and accountability.
Though the planning was “done,” it still reflected old habits—random notes, incomplete sequences, vague timelines. The scope for improvement is huge. And I made that clear—we don’t plan for the sake of planning. We plan to execute smoothly.
DG#2 – Root Cause Finally Found
One issue that had been bothering us for a while is the overheating of DG#2. Multiple checks were done earlier, but today, we hit the root cause—the inlet of the heat exchanger was completely blocked with dirt and residue.
This is what lack of preventive maintenance looks like in real terms. It builds silently, invisible until it becomes a problem. Now we know. The system must be cleaned, but more importantly, the system of PM must be strengthened.
The Night Shift – A Gold Mine of Time
I also stressed another often overlooked topic: night shift job-planning.
The night shift can be incredibly productive if used smartly—less distraction, focused tasks, cleaner workflows. But without planned jobs, it becomes a drag. Just like daylight planning, night work should have a task sheet, sequence, assigned team, and expected outcome.
From a night spent walking in shadows to a morning spent preparing for fire (literally), today had contrast and continuity. The small wins—finding a root cause, changing a meeting location, and connecting with people—carry forward a silent momentum. That’s the kind that transforms culture, one shift at a time.
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