We Must Force the Culture of Safety” – ArcelorMittal Mining VP Urges on Global Health and Safety Day

By Staff Writer

Yekepa, Liberia – ArcelorMittal Liberia has observed the 2025 Global Health and Safety Day with a strong message from its senior executives emphasizing the need to institutionalize a culture of safety throughout its operations. Events were held in both Yekepa and Buchanan to promote awareness and encourage proactive safety practices among staff and contractors.

Speaking at the event in Yekepa, Kleber Silva, Executive Vice President of ArcelorMittal and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining, underscored the importance of safety as a core value within the company. “We must force the culture of safety,” Silva stated. “Safety is about life—the life of ourselves, our colleagues, and every other person around us. We must ensure that our mines, railroad, and concentrator are free from fatalities, accidents, or incidents.”

Silva commended the workforce for recent improvements in safety performance, including a period without any reported fatalities or major incidents. He praised the commitment of employees to maintaining a secure work environment and urged continued vigilance.

ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO Michiel Van Der Merwe also reinforced the message of accountability and participation, urging workers to speak up about hazards and incidents without fear of blame. “We want to encourage everyone to report accidents and incidents. This isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about making sure our brothers and sisters return home safely,” he said. He added that when people feel safe, productivity naturally increases.

Ahmad Massaquoi, the company’s Head of Health and Safety, reflected on the day’s significance by calling on staff to continue building on past achievements. “Today is a time to think about what we’ve accomplished and how we can improve further. Our workforce, assets, and environment must remain in a safe condition. We don’t want anyone getting hurt or disturbed on the job,” he stressed.

Other departmental leaders echoed this sentiment. Dawie Loots, Manager of the AML Training Academy, emphasized the importance of personal integrity, stating that safety means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Estate Manager Ramses Kumboyah noted that the safety culture must extend beyond the workplace, encouraging employees to maintain clean and safe homes and surroundings.

Reports from the Health and Safety Department showed a measurable improvement in workplace safety standards, which Massaquoi attributed to the proactive and diligent efforts of employees. In Buchanan, the celebration continued with a special address from Marco Miranda, Head of Rail, who represented CEO Van Der Merwe and reiterated the importance of teamwork and compliance in achieving safety goals.

As part of the day’s celebration, a total of 123 individuals and one department were honored for their outstanding contributions to safety. Award categories included Best Paramedic, Best Cleaner, Best Safety Recognition, Best Guardian Angel, Exceptional Performance in Shop Floor Audit, and Best Safety Practitioner. The Mines Department received the Incident Investigation and Closure Excellence Award, highlighting its role in promoting accountability and thorough follow-up on safety issues.

The 2025 Global Health and Safety Day marked another milestone in ArcelorMittal Liberia’s ongoing efforts to reinforce safety as a shared responsibility and essential value across all areas of its operations.