6-700 people and an audit pause: - this is how the security is planned

The people behind the stop

Ole Kåre meets people with a smile and freshly baked waffles. He is the first person we meet at the entrance to the security street, by the ammonia factory, at Herøya Industrial Park.

Seven weeks of full activity: safety always comes first

Bilfinger, Norva Grenland, and other companies working at the plant arrive early. Permits are checked, and safety must be in order before the work begins.

The plant was flushed and cleaned before maintenance work started, which includes inspecting the plant, testing, and upgrades. Many external workers come to the plant to carry out work in a short period of time.

The organization and collaboration between Yara and Bilfinger, along with several suppliers, where everyone knows what to do and what risks they face at the plant, have been planned for over a year.

There’s a low threshold for stopping and clarifying when something is unclear. Terje Nilsen stays close, gathers information, and talks to everyone involved. When something unexpected happens, he finds a solution, and the work continues. He has a good overview and makes sure everyone pulls in the same direction.

Safety must be ensured

-The factory stops production for 7 weeks to carry out maintenance, with Bilfinger handling much of the maintenance work. Neighbors and people working here should feel that everything happening is safe, says Terje Nilsen. A shutdown for maintenance is an investment in the factory's safety and lifespan.

The goal is that no one gets hurt

Ida Nilsen is responsible for HSE and training:

–Our motto is simple: DON'T ASSUME. To be able to work safely, you need the knowledge required to make the right choices. That's why everyone in TA26 gets practical safety training on the safety street. When we build competence, we not only strengthen our own safety but also the ability to care for and look out for each other. We are safe by choice, says Ida.

The ammonia plant was built in 1968 and has since then had several production stoppages. The focus on HSE is significant. Yara has its own safety training, says Ida Nilsen. In the tent in front of the facility, we go through key topics. Yara and Bilfinger have worked closely for a year and a half on how all the training stations should operate. We have a HSE plan, and expectations are set for everyone, and people are proud that we work safely. Everyone has gone through maintenance training.

– It’s about caring and talking to each other in a respectful way, she says.

Ida explains that the way they work has sparked interest from others outside the project.

Good collaboration

– We’ve planned everything that’s happening now, says William Nilssen. And now we’re here, doing what we’ve been talking about for a long time, and everything is going according to plan, he says enthusiastically.

Good planning, good collaboration, safety, short and clear information make the project succeed. If you want to know more, get in touch with Ida Nilsen at Yara.

October 28, the factory is scheduled to be back in production.