LILAMA 45.1: Vitality from Labour Safety

I witness with my own eyes two gigantic cranes stretching its arms to pick up tower tanks weighing 53 tonnes each to place in a proper position for continued installation with relieving sigh and relaxing face of workers and engineers of Samsung and Lilama 45.1, the two contractors. The safety is not only a slogan but action in such a place. Specifically, the safety is every higher as the chemical plant is being both installed and operated at the same time. Surrounding me is workers with safety belts although they do not work in a high position. Engineer Hoang Van Sau, the chief of the site, said: “We are determined to strictly follow working safety and fulfil all requirements although these are really big challenges. We will do it because if the plant stops producing only one day, revenues will reduce VND15 -16 billion, let alone the shortage of nitrogenous fertilisers for the domestic market. Therefore, working safety for people and equipment must be put atop.” He confirmed: “Where there is working safety, there is higher compliance, better working attitude and higher productivity.”

 

Here, every day, all engineers and works must absolutely comply with strict safety procedures. When the working hours start in the early morning, inspectors check and report on working safety conditions and measures to detailed work and individual labour safety equipment. The work is only started when everything is done. When the working shift is over, all engineers and workers assemble to review problems in working safety to introduce healing measures. If the problems persist, working will be deterred. In addition, safety inspectors of Samsung and Lilama, two contractors, are always present in-situ to ensure highest working safety. Nguyen Quoc Chinh, a crane specialist at Lilama 45.1, said: “Labour safety cannot be ignored, even a tiny matter like proper helmet ties or safety belt wearing. Every worker needs educating to keep working safety as keeping their life and their family happiness. All our workers are meticulously and systematically trained by Samsung. Thus, 250,000 hours of work are 250,000 hours of safety.”

 

Mr Lee Jeongjin, CEO of Samsung Engineering, the contractor, said: “The CO2 recovering project for Phu My Fertilizer plant requires absolute accuracy, high technicality and scientism but this is not a big project. Vietnam is a reforming and rapid-developing country with many major projects ahead of us like Long Son oil refinery, nuclear power plant and North-South expressway. We are committed to working safety and project progress in Phu My Fertilizer plant, and look forward to long-term cooperation with the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and Lilama 45.1 to carry out key projects in Vietnam.”

 

After a short visit to the CO2 recovering project for Phu My Fertiliser plant but I also understand the value of working safety. This is not just a slogan but, for workers and engineers, working safety is their life, the prestige of companies and, above all, the completing works will contribute to the national economic development.

 

The US$27 million CO2 recovering system for Phu My Fertilizer Plant, invested by PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Company and powered by Japanese technology is built by two EPC contractors, namely Samsung Engineering (South Korea) and Lilama 45.1 (Vietnam). The construction and installation are expected to be completed in late 2010, with a daily capacity of 240 tonnes of CO2. Then, the capacity of the Phu My Fertiliser plant will be raised from 740,000 tonnes of urea fertilisers per annum to 800,000 tonnes.