“Occupational Safety” Magazine No. 3, 2026

Dear readers,

We are pleased to present the third issue of Occupational Safety magazine for 2026. Traditionally, it is dedicated to the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This year’s theme, proposed by the International Labour Organization, is: “How’s work? Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment.”

In this issue, you will find analytical insights, practical tools, and in-depth reviews of major incidents, as well as an overview of emerging safety technologies. We have prepared materials designed to help you take a fresh perspective on the risks of modern production and strengthen your approach to workplace safety.

We begin with a critically important topic — the risk of groupthink.

In his article “It’s Not Always Good When Everyone Acts Together”, Anatolii Sevruk draws attention to a subtle yet extremely dangerous issue — flawed collective decision-making in the field of occupational safety.

We are used to focusing on technical hazards — equipment, electricity, chemicals. However, sometimes the root cause of accidents lies in the decision-making process itself.

The author analyzes global disasters — from the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster to the Beirut port explosion — demonstrating how the desire for consensus can suppress critical thinking.

The key message is simple yet essential for OSH professionals:
complete consensus within a team can sometimes be a warning sign, rather than an indication of the right decision.

The article also offers practical mechanisms to mitigate this risk, including:

• the role of a “devil’s advocate”
• anonymous feedback collection
• working in subgroups
• involving external experts

Another topic rapidly transitioning from future concept to present-day reality is the use of exoskeletons in industry.

In the article “Exoskeletons Are Already Here”, Serhii Kolesnyk explores both the potential and limitations of this technology.

Exoskeletons are already widely used in logistics, construction, and manufacturing. They help reduce strain on the back, arms, and joints, lowering fatigue and injury risks.

However, the author emphasizes:
every new technology brings not only benefits but also new risks.

These include:

• improper equipment selection
• restricted mobility
• new ergonomic hazards
• psychological factors

The article highlights how exoskeletons should be integrated into a comprehensive risk management system, rather than treating them as just a technological trend.

In the incident analysis section, we examine one of the most high-profile industrial disasters of recent years.

In their article, Serhii Cheberiachko and Oleh Deriuhin analyze the Brumadinho dam disaster at the Córrego do Feijão mine in Brazil.

This is not merely a description of the tragedy. The authors offer an in-depth analysis of the cause-and-effect relationships that lead to large-scale industrial disasters.

The article demonstrates how systemic failures accumulate over time — across organizational, technical, and managerial domains.

Most importantly, it highlights how to identify the weak signals that often precede catastrophes.

This material is particularly valuable for risk managers, safety auditors, and business leaders.

Another practical topic directly relevant to OSH services is addressed in the article by Vitalii Tsopa, “All About Auditing PPE Provision Systems.”

The article provides a detailed explanation of:

• how to organize an audit of personal protective equipment (PPE) provision
• how to assess system effectiveness
• how to use audit results to support risk management
• how to interact with regulatory authorities

In essence, it offers a step-by-step practical guide that helps organizations move from a purely formal approach to PPE provision toward a systematic and effective safety management framework.

Also in this issue:

• materials on the digitalization of fire safety
• practical case studies in risk management
• safety considerations for spring fieldwork
• medical aspects of psychosocial risks

And in the supplement:

• the consequences of intensive work during emergency response
• safety aspects of industrial 3D printing
• specifics considerations for employing foreign workers in Ukraine