A renewed push to entrench safety as a core workplace value has taken shape at Dangote Cement Plc’s Ibese Plant in Ogun State with the launch of the Safety FairPlay Initiative, a company-wide programme designed to drive behavioural change and strengthen sustainable safety practices.
The initiative, which debuted at the Ibese Plant as a pilot scheme, is set to be rolled out across all Dangote Cement Plc facilities nationwide. Its launch attracted strong participation from both management and staff, reflecting a collective resolve to improve safety standards and reduce workplace risks.
Safety FairPlay introduces a structured and transparent approach to managing safety-related behaviour, focusing on long-term cultural transformation rather than short-term compliance. The framework is anchored on three key pillars—Recognition, Correction through coaching, and Discipline—aimed at encouraging positive conduct, addressing unsafe actions consistently, and promoting openness in reporting incidents, near-misses, and errors without fear of unfair treatment.
Speaking during the launch, Dangote Cement Plc Technical Director, Mr. Anandam Duraisamy, described the initiative as a strategic step in redefining how safety is perceived and practised within the organisation. He stressed that the programme goes beyond rules and procedures, placing people, attitudes, and accountability at the centre of safety excellence.
According to him, Safety FairPlay is designed to build trust and consistency in safety management by ensuring that good behaviour is recognised, risks are addressed fairly, and everyone is treated equitably. He noted that such an approach helps make safety a shared responsibility rather than a top-down directive.
Duraisamy further explained that the initiative represents a turning point in the company’s safety journey, where safety becomes a daily habit and a shared mindset. He emphasised that preventing incidents, identifying risks early, and consistently making safe choices all contribute to a stronger and more resilient organisation.
Also addressing employees, the Ibese Plant Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Mr. Elvis Akalusi, praised Dangote Cement’s management for championing the programme and commended staff for their enthusiastic response. He said the initiative would be fully integrated into daily operations at the plant, with the active involvement of all departmental heads.
Akalusi noted that Safety FairPlay would provide employees with the necessary tools, coaching, recognition, and accountability to support better decision-making on safety. He added that the programme’s success ultimately depends on the collective commitment of the workforce to consistently act responsibly, even in situations where supervision is absent.
With the planned expansion of the initiative to other plants nationwide, Dangote Cement Plc is positioning Safety FairPlay as a cornerstone of its broader effort to embed fairness, transparency, and continuous improvement into its health and safety culture.