This summer, two experienced safety assessors reunited in Păulești, Romania: Bajram Saramati from Germany visited one of the plants overseen by his colleague Nikola Šukalo from Southeastern Europe. Last year, the tables were turned – Nikola had joined Bajram for a Life Saving Rule (LSR) assessment in Stulln, Germany. Now it was time to return the visit, continuing a valuable cross-regional exchange. 
“These assessments are more than just checkpoints,” says Nikola. “They are about understanding where each plant stands, identifying the challenges, and finding ways to support them.” It’s not just about metrics, he adds, but about people: “Plant managers often carry a huge amount of responsibility. But safety is always a team effort. That’s where we come in.” 
For Bajram, the assessment in Păulești was a powerful example of cross-border knowledge sharing. “The safety rules are the same everywhere – but how they’re implemented can vary locally. That’s exactly why open exchange is so valuable.” In Păulești, he experienced a motivated team that shared their practices with openness and professionalism. “These kinds of interactions not only strengthen our safety culture but also deepen our sense of connection within the Xella network.”

Best Practices are meant to be shared

One of the key goals of LSR assessments is to identify strong practices and make them visible across the company. “During my assessment in Mios, I saw a LOTO system that uses RFID chips – an excellent solution we’re now planning to implement in Germany,” says Bajram. “Good ideas spread faster when we actively share them.” Another key takeaway? Culture change takes time and commitment. “Safety culture is a marathon,” Bajram reflects. “But when I look at how teams have evolved – for instance in Ploiesti, where I could clearly feel the employees’ pride and commitment – I know we’re heading in the right direction.” Beyond technical insights, what stood out the most was the spirit of open collaboration. “Catalin Sandu and his team were incredibly welcoming and solution-focused,” says Bajram. “This is what great teamwork across borders looks like.”

A fresh perspective from Chlumcany

As Cross-Functional Life Saving Rule Assessor, Lucie Snajdrova brought her valuable experience from Sales and construction to the assessment team of the Chlumany plant (Czech Republic). Her observations reflected the same openness and collaborative spirit found at other sites. 

“From the first day in the production plant, it was clear that safety is not just a checklist,” she shared. “We looked at LOTO, working at heights, and electrical safety – but what stood out most was the mindset. Everyone was open to fresh perspectives and genuinely committed to improving safety.” 
For the assessment, Lucie’s approach was to create a calm and safe space, taking on the role of a mediator to foster constructive dialogue around safety practices. 
“If you feel safe, you are open to change. And if something’s missing, you need to know what it is – that’s the gap we’re here to help identify.” 

Moving to the next level 

All three assessors agree: after the assessment, follow-up is key. “It’s essential that the findings from the assessments are now put into clear and structured actions by the sites and their leaders,” says Nikola. “To really make these days count, we now need to work together to turn our insights into action which will make our workplaces safer every day.”