Warnings, Reminders, and That Thin Line Called Safety | Diary Entry - 13th June 2025

The day began on a disturbing note. Before sunrise, around 4:00 AM, two of our workmen were injured while trying to remove cyclone jamming. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t critical, but our medical team - thankfully alert - took no chances. One of them was referred to the hospital in Lomé for further observation.

The news jolted me. I reached the plant earlier than usual, choosing to walk the stretch from the main road to the gate. That walk helped me gather my thoughts. As I entered, I made my way directly to the dispensary to check on the injured workman and his family. I asked our Admin team to ensure their complete comfort - food, tea, proper care. At such moments, reassurance matters more than anything else.

But let’s face it - this was bound to happen.
In the recent days, I often joked, “Just keep the plant running safely until I leave.” But the joke had weight beneath it. Our structures are frail, operations often careless, and risk lies around every unchecked bolt and every unverified start-up. If this culture continues unchecked, it won’t take long for a catastrophe that becomes the tipping point - what I call the death nail.

Morning Meeting: A Voice with Weight

Despite the tension, the morning meeting had to go on. I took charge of it entirely. I opened with the prayer, “Jab Zulmon Ka Ho Saamna, Tab Tu Hi Hamen Thaamna...” A soulful, courageous prayer that fits such days. I translated it line by line, pausing at every word that asked for strength.

I addressed the accident. And then a bold team member raised two critical questions - 

  1. Why did it take three hours to send the injured person to Lomé?

  2. Why is there such a massive gap between our daily safety talks and real action?

Mr. BVKR gave a detailed, responsible reply. I added my voice, reminding them of our 5 Cardinal Rules of Safety, especially Rule #2: Always take line clearance before starting work.
I emphasized: "This is not just a rule. It’s your RIGHT. No one has the authority to put you at risk."

HOD Meeting: A Recap of 7 Months in One Session

I was in a reflective, determined mood. I poured out everything I could, from safety to sustainability to common sense.

  • I raised concern over HFO spillages. “It’s gold for the pocket but poison for the earth,” I said.

  • I stressed Root Cause Analysis again. "Every stoppage is a silent alarm. If you ignore it, it will come back louder."

  • I brought up the plane crash from yesterday again - accidents can happen even with layers of protocols. Ours is a cement plant, not a cockpit, but we must carry the same respect for procedures and vigilance.

Then I shifted focus. I urged the mechanical department to explore local casting options for flexible coupling parts. Modern materials and molding techniques can help us beat long lead times. “Don’t wait for imports when technology can offer you a shortcut,” I said.

Unfolding Events

There was no DPM today. The energy was visibly low. As expected, the Labor Inspector visited the plant. He reviewed the accident site - but let’s be honest, such inspections are routine, often perfunctory. The root cause - poor operational discipline - will likely never make it to his report.

As of the evening, both lines remained stopped. Silence in the kilns, silence in the yard. Sometimes, that silence speaks louder than machines running.

Final Thoughts

Today was one of those days when the lessons of the past 7 months circled back to me. Some of the old warnings I gave were becoming real. In the noise of daily production, we often ignore the signals. But the plant always whispers before it screams.

Key Points of the Day

  •  Early morning accident injured two workmen; one sent to Lomé hospital.

  •  Reached plant early; visited dispensary and met family of victim.

  •  Led morning meeting with prayer and strong messaging on safety.

  •  Fielded tough questions on delay in medical response and safety gaps.

  •  HOD meeting focused on RCA, HFO handling, and local material solutions.

  •  Instructed admin to provide refreshments for victim’s family.

  •  Labor Inspector visited accident site.

  •  Both lines of the plant remained stopped all day.

  •  No DPM conducted.

  •  Strong reminders on how neglect can lead to disaster.


[Preheater Cyclone Jamming Removal is one of the most dangerous tasks in a cement plant.
The image is for illustration purpose only.]

Next Day - 14th June, 2025

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