BUCHANAN, GRAND BASSA COUNTY — ArcelorMittal Liberia has honored four members of its Rail Department for demonstrating exceptional vigilance, professionalism, and courage during a critical operational event along the company’s main railway line.
Train Drivers Norman Chidarikire and Rynier McCabe, along with Train Assistants Stanley Mulbah and Horace S. Neppy, received special recognition during an Incident Prevention Safety Award Ceremony held in Buchanan.
The four railway professionals were celebrated for their swift and decisive response after identifying a potential hazard during operations on the mainline. Their timely actions prevented what could have developed into a serious safety incident, protected lives, and safeguarded important railway infrastructure.
The recognition reflects ArcelorMittal Liberia’s commitment to building a workplace where employees are encouraged to remain vigilant, follow safety procedures, communicate openly, and take responsible action whenever a potential risk is detected.
During the ceremony, management praised the crew for maintaining composure under pressure and applying their training and professional judgment when it mattered most.
According to the company, the team demonstrated exceptional situational awareness by recognizing the developing danger and responding before the situation could escalate. Their actions showed how employee alertness and sound decision-making remain essential components of safe railway operations.
Felipe Lage, Rail General Manager at ArcelorMittal Liberia, described the incident as a powerful demonstration of the alertness, skill, 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.”
He explained that procedures, operational systems, and safety equipment provide important layers of protection across the railway. However, he emphasized that trained and responsible employees remain vital to preventing incidents when other protective measures may not be sufficient.
“Procedures, systems, and safety equipment provide essential layers of protection, an architecture we must continuously strengthen as a whole,” Lage 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 connecting its mining operations in Yekepa, Nimba County, to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County. The corridor passes through several towns and communities and is central to the movement of iron ore and other operational materials.
Because the railway interacts with communities, road crossings, workers, equipment, and other infrastructure, maintaining the highest safety standards remains a major responsibility. The actions of the four employees therefore went beyond protecting company operations. Their response also helped protect members of the public who live and travel along the railway corridor.
Togar Carter, Buchanan Health and Safety Manager, emphasized the wider importance of the team’s intervention.
“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 statement highlighted the human value of workplace safety and the responsibility railway employees carry during every journey. Each safety decision can have consequences not only for employees and company assets, but also for families and communities along the Yekepa to Buchanan rail corridor.
The award ceremony also provided an opportunity for the honorees to encourage their colleagues to remain alert and honest about their physical and mental readiness for work.
Train Assistant Horace S. Neppy called on railway employees to respect fit-for-duty requirements and communicate openly whenever they are not prepared to safely perform their assigned responsibilities.
“Always stay alert, and speak up if you’re not fit to work,” Neppy said.
His message reinforced the importance of personal responsibility in preventing incidents. Fitness for duty includes being physically rested, mentally alert, properly prepared, and capable of responding appropriately to changing conditions during railway operations.
Fatigue is an important safety concern in railway operations, particularly during extended shifts and long-distance travel. Recognizing this challenge, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Rail Department is strengthening its fatigue-management protocols.
Among the measures being introduced is the integration of in-locomotive driver alert systems. These systems are intended to help monitor and support driver alertness during extended operations on the mainline, adding another layer of protection for employees, communities, railway equipment, and company infrastructure.
The investment forms part of AML’s broader approach to safety, which combines technology, training, established procedures, employee responsibility, and continuous operational improvement.
The recognition of Chidarikire, McCabe, Mulbah, and Neppy also sends an important message across the company: proactive safety behavior will be acknowledged and celebrated.
By honoring employees who identify risks and act responsibly, ArcelorMittal Liberia is encouraging others to speak up, follow procedures, report hazards, and take immediate action when safety is threatened. This approach supports a workplace culture in which preventing incidents is a shared responsibility at every level of the organization.
The ceremony concluded with management reaffirming its commitment to continuous engagement with employees, further investment in safety systems, and ongoing improvements to railway procedures.
AML management also pledged to maintain a working environment where professional judgment, vigilance, open communication, and proactive safety actions are actively supported.
Through their conduct, the four railway employees demonstrated that safety is more than a set of written rules. It is a daily commitment expressed through alertness, discipline, teamwork, and the courage to act when potential danger emerges.
Their recognition stands as an example of how properly trained and dedicated employees can make a decisive difference, preventing harm, protecting infrastructure, and ensuring that both workers and community members return safely to their families.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
