ISHN Magazine

2026 May

In this issue, we cover Coal's Second Life. We also explore the hidden hazards of Tank Batteries and take a closer look at Safety Violations.

a coal-fired power station, a type of industrial facility that burns coal to produce electricity

Extending the Life of Aging Coal Plants Requires Modern Approach to Safety

Simon Goncharenko PhD, CSP

May 6, 2026

A sharp increase in energy demand due to the rapid growth of power-intensive AI, combined with ever-evolving policy priorities are reshaping assumptions about coal-fired power.

This image depicts a group of miners walking through an underground coal mine tunnel.

What is Fall of Ground in Underground Mining?

Causes, risks and prevention methods to better understand this phenomenon

Harshvardhan Singh

May 13, 2026

Fall of ground refers to the unexpected collapse or detachment of rock from the roof, sidewalls, or face of an underground excavation.

This is a lockout tagout (LOTO) safety tag used to prevent machinery from being energized during maintenance

Why Your Lockout Procedures Stop Matching Reality Within 12 Months

Matthew Nugent

May 12, 2026

Procedural changes can alter the isolation requirements for a machine, but maintenance work orders rarely trigger a corresponding update to the LOTO procedure. Over time, the gap between what the procedure says and what the machine actually requires grows.

The Hidden Hazards of Tank Batteries

How to detect and prevent gas exposure before it turns deadly

Rick Pedley

May 11, 2026

Tank batteries in oil and gas fields, like the Permian and Uinta Basins, pose silent risks from trapped gases that can build up during routine tasks.

a group of colleagues engaging in conversation within a modern office setting

Study Worker Behavior to Implement Real Change, Optimize Efficiency

Peter G. Furst

May 5, 2026

In studying worker behavior as they go about performing their tasks, one may realize that the worker’s attitude was manifested in how they performed their work.