Written by Udeme Akpan
At its Ibese Plant in Ogun State, Dangote Cement Plc has started a Safety FairPlay Initiative with the goal of encouraging staff to adopt new behaviors and build a solid, long-lasting safety culture.
The program, which will be implemented at every Dangote Cement Plc facility in the country, represents a critical turning point in bolstering the organization’s safety protocol. Both management and staff showed a strong commitment to safer work practices during the pilot launch.
Through a fair and open framework that encourages safe behavior, the Safety FairPlay Initiative aims to bring about long-lasting behavioral and cultural change. The program, which is based on three fundamental pillars—Recognition, Correction (Coaching), and Discipline—rewards good safety behavior, guarantees consistency in dealing with risky behavior, and promotes candid reporting of occurrences, near-misses, and mistakes.
Speaking at the opening, Mr. Anandam Duraisamy, Technical Director of Dangote Cement Plc (DCP), emphasized the initiative’s strategic significance and urged staff members to support a safety culture based on accountability, fairness, acknowledgment, and continual development.
According to Duraisamy, Safety FairPlay was a turning point in the company’s efforts to create a work environment where safety is not just a policy but a common attitude and everyday routine.
He declared, “We are here to launch an initiative that aims to transform not only what we do but also how we think, act, and respond when it comes to safety.”
“Building trust, consistency, and accountability in our safety management is the goal of Safety FairPlay. When people realize that safe behaviour is appreciated, risky activities are fairly addressed, and everyone is treated equitably, safety becomes a shared responsibility and a true part of our culture.
“This effort acknowledges that true safety excellence starts with people—our attitudes, our decisions, and our willingness to watch out for one another—rather than equipment, processes, or compliance.
“Our organization is strengthened by every incident avoided, every risk identified, and every safe action implemented. And you—every employee who embraces safety as a personal obligation and a shared value—are the source of that strength.
Speaking as well, Mr. Elvis Akalusi, the Ibese Plant Head of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), praised Dangote Cement management for spearheading the effort and praised staff for their enthusiastic embrace of it.
With the active cooperation of all department heads, he confirmed that Safety FairPlay will be completely integrated into the plant’s everyday operations.
“This program will give each of us the resources, accountability, mentoring, and recognition we need to make safer choices. But its success hinges on our collective dedication—our bravery to always act morally, even when no one is looking,” Akalusi stated.
