LOCAL NEWS
GRAND BASSA COUNTY – ArcelorMittal Liberia has honored four members of its Rail Department for demonstrating exceptional vigilance, professionalism and courage after identifying a potential hazard along the company’s main railway line.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmil.com
Train Drivers Norman Chidarikire and Rynier McCabe, along with Train Assistants Stanley Mulbah and Horace S. Neppy, were recognized during an Incident Prevention Safety Award Ceremony held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The four employees were praised for their swift and decisive response after detecting a developing danger during railway operations.
According to AML, their timely intervention prevented what could have become a serious safety incident, helping to protect lives and important railway infrastructure.
The company said the recognition reflects its commitment to promoting a workplace culture in which employees remain alert, follow established safety procedures, communicate openly and take responsible action whenever risks are identified.
During the ceremony, AML management commended the crew for remaining calm under pressure and applying their training and professional judgement at a critical moment.
Felipe Lage, Rail General Manager at ArcelorMittal Liberia, described the incident as a strong demonstration of the skill, alertness and dedication of the company’s railway workforce.
“This event is a testament to the alertness, skill, and dedication of our railway team,” Lage said. “Even under immense pressure, they kept their composure, followed proper procedures, and made the critical decisions that kept the situation under control.”
Mr Lage said procedures, operational systems and safety equipment provide important layers of protection across the railway, but stressed that trained and responsible employees remain critical to preventing incidents when other safeguards may not be enough.
“Procedures, systems, and safety equipment provide essential layers of protection, an architecture we must continuously strengthen as a whole,” he said. “But it’s equally important to pause and recognize moments like this one, when our people step up and become the decisive layer that stops a potential incident where others weren’t enough.”
ArcelorMittal Liberia operates the railway linking its mining operations in Yekepa, Nimba County, to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County.
The rail corridor passes through several towns and communities and plays a central role in the transportation of iron ore and other operational materials.
Given the railway’s interaction with communities, road crossings, workers, equipment and other infrastructure, AML says maintaining high safety standards is a major responsibility.
Togar Carter, Buchanan Health and Safety Manager, said the intervention by the four employees had significance beyond protecting the company’s operations.
“They didn’t just help ArcelorMittal. They helped keep Liberian citizens alive and ensured they could return home safely to their families,” Carter said.
His remarks underscored the wider human importance of railway safety, where decisions made by employees can have consequences for workers, passengers, motorists, residents and communities along the rail corridor.
The award ceremony also provided an opportunity for the honorees to encourage their colleagues to remain alert and to be honest about their physical and mental readiness for work.
Train Assistant Horace S. Neppy urged railway workers to respect fit-for-duty requirements and speak openly whenever they are not prepared to safely perform their responsibilities.
“Always stay alert, and speak up if you’re not fit to work,” Neppy said.
His message highlighted the importance of personal responsibility in preventing workplace incidents, particularly in railway operations where fatigue and reduced alertness can pose significant risks.
In response, AML’s Rail Department is strengthening its fatigue-management measures, including the integration of in-locomotive driver alert systems.
The systems are intended to monitor and support driver alertness during extended operations, providing an additional layer of protection for employees, communities, railway equipment and infrastructure.
AML said the investment forms part of its broader safety strategy, which combines technology, employee training, established procedures, individual responsibility and continuous operational improvement.
The recognition of Chidarikire, McCabe, Mulbah and Neppy also sends a wider message across the company that proactive safety behavior will be acknowledged and encouraged.
By rewarding employees who identify hazards and take decisive action, AML said it hopes to encourage workers to speak up, report risks, follow procedures and act promptly when safety is threatened.
The company said management would continue engaging employees, investing in safety systems and improving railway procedures.
Through their actions, the four railway employees demonstrated that safety extends beyond written rules and depends on daily vigilance, discipline, teamwork and the courage to act when danger emerges.
Their recognition highlights how trained and responsible employees can make a decisive difference in preventing harm and helping ensure that workers and community members along the railway corridor return safely to their families.
