Straining to meet aggressive production targets, workers at North Korea’s Mt. Purae cement plant triggered an explosion that rocked the South Hamgyong province facility. The blast occurred as factory workers pushed beyond normal capacity limits at the plant, a key supplier of cement for the region.
“The explosion was caused by overloading the furnace as factory management sought to raise production targets under pressure from the provincial party committee, which was responding to the central government’s appeal to demonstrate a spirit of self-sufficiency,” a source in the province told Daily NK recently.
The explosion took place in the early hours of Nov. 14. Following the incident, the factory halted operations at once, confirmed the safety of all employees, and promptly began the cleanup process.
Factory technicians who analyzed the explosion said that management, as it sought to compensate for the province’s cement shortage, had been too focused on boosting productivity and output cement to properly maintain the furnace.
Factory managers acknowledged that the accident would not have occurred if they had stuck to the furnace’s design capacity instead of trying to boost output beyond its parameters.
Following the accident, the factory announced that it plans to adjust its production schedule and resume normal operations after swiftly repairing the damaged furnace.
Due to the incident, the factory’s managers realized the need to bolster safety protocols at the furnace. Factory managers have promised to carry out inspections to prevent similar accidents as part of their commitment to prioritizing both productivity and safety.
“Following a discussion, the factory has announced a plan to consider the impact that overambitious goals have on safety while strengthening internal capabilities through the spirit of self-sufficiency,” the source said. “The factory also announced it will be commissioning safety reviews by outside experts to improve internal protocols and also providing workers with more safety training.”
Meanwhile, people living around the factory voiced their concerns after hearing about the explosion.
“Locals criticized the factory for focusing on production at the expense of not only safety but also environmental impact and said they hoped the accident would motivate the factory to take more precautions,” the source said.
The factory is focusing on easing these concerns by pledging to restore trust through better communication and creating safer working conditions, the source added.
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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