ASSSIGNMENTS

FREQUENT EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWNOne of the critical equipment in Green Carbon has been experiencing frequent breakdowns lately and this is a matter of great concern to both Carbon and Plant Management. The simple reason for this worry is that the collapse of that piece of equipment could jeopardize the entire production operations of VALCO.

You are the Assistant Manager of the Maintenance team that has responsibility to see to the repair and integrity of the equipment. You have decided to call a meeting of your entire crew to discuss this perennial breakdown of the equipment. You are mindful of the current low production levels which makes it impossible for the Company to breakeven.

Role-play this meeting with your team members to find a solution to this problem now and in the future.

ANODE EFFECT IN CELL LINESThe Cell Lines have been experiencing problems with pots in operation. Pot 29 gets anode effect due to failure to engage the tap switch. As a result air pressure has suddenly gone down and you are unable to buzz the pot down and several other pots are beginning to get anode effects. This is negatively affecting production operations in the Cell Lines which would largely have a negative impact on VALCO.

You are the Assistant Manager in charge of a shift in the Cell Lines in charge of Pot 29 and others. Convene a meeting of all your shift team to discuss this matter which has become a worry to the entire plant leadership.

Role-play this meeting with your team members to find a solution to this problem now and in the future.

SPARE PARTS ACQUISITIONLately, the Logistics Department has been having challenges with the acquisition of spare parts for some critical equipment used in the production process. First, part numbers from the local market do not match with the American parts that VALCO has traditionally been accustomed with, thus identification and purchase of the right spare parts from the local market has become difficult. Secondly, it has also been observed that some of the parts obtained from the local market are not genuine and unable to withstand our equipment for long. As a result some maintenance works have had to be re-scheduled on a number of occasions, to the detriment of our operations.

You are the Assistant Manger (Buyer) in charge of local purchases and you are convening a meeting of your team to discuss this matter and to find the immediate and long-term solution to this problem. You must bear in mind that it is now VALCO’s policy to consciously source most of our parts from the local market to support the Ghanaian economy.

LACK OF RESOURCES FORPLANT PROTECTION

One major role of Plant Protection is to ensure that all the beats around the Plant and other facilities such as the hospital, VALCO Club, Communities 6 and 12 are properly secured. In the past couple of months, thieves have entered residential properties in Community 6 where they have succeeded in stealing from people’s homes and cars. The Department requires manpower and equipment to be able to patrol these areas especially during the night. Currently the Department does not have the full complement of vehicles to carry out this job effectively. You are the team-leader and have received complaints from not only some of the team-members but also from employees in other Departments about this situation.

You have decided to call a meeting of your team to discuss the matter and look at ways to improve the situation now and in the future, notwithstanding the lack of funds to immediately procure new patrol vehicles.