Lost face to win the security

"That's really harsh, I thought even if I mentioned it," said Wang Lei, a refiner from Cangzhou, on the day the bonus form was released. She suddenly felt embarrassed and left the scene within five minutes, only to be fined $100 by the security chief on the spot.

“The workshop is now taking things seriously. Even Master Huang’s age isn’t an excuse for the new female technicians,” said Wang Xiaoxing, an employee. He was talking about a recent safety drill involving a fire accident at a spherical tank. Huang Huang, a transfer worker, was caught off guard by Zhang Rong, a young female technician, who pointed out several shortcomings in his work and explained the potential safety consequences of each mistake. The veteran master, who had worked for nearly 30 years, was left speechless and humiliated on the spot.

Many workers in the workshop share similar feelings. They are often overlooked, but when they make mistakes, they are ordered to correct them immediately. Any unsafe behavior is recorded on the “HSE Observation Card.” After the workshop reviews the report, disciplinary actions follow. Not only do they lose points, but serious violations may also result in public criticism during team meetings, affecting the entire construction crew.

“If safety management isn't strict, there will be no mercy in the event of an accident,” said Shi Jianmin, a workshop safety engineer. Their safety policies are based on strict rules, regardless of personal relationships. For example, in the past, if fire protection fabric wasn’t properly covered, it might have been ignored. Now, any violation must be corrected, and the responsible person is assessed accordingly. If construction workers don’t implement proper safety measures, they are considered unsafe. If their safety harnesses don’t meet standards, workers can stop the job immediately. If someone says it's not important, emergency drills will be conducted right there, with air respirators provided on the spot. Even if the process is technically correct, if the supervisor arrives late, they still get points deducted.

“Learning from more safety incidents has made me understand how serious the workshop is. Although I was fined, I know how much I’ve learned and how my safety awareness has improved. It was worth it,” said Wang Lei, who was punished. She later identified a hidden unsafe behavior at the site and submitted her “HSE Observation Card,” which was praised by the workshop. She admitted she lost face that day, but gained something far more valuable.