In high-risk, high-output mining environments, safety and productivity must work hand in hand.
ISH24 is an Australian-owned specialist provider supporting shutdowns, emergency response and nationally accredited training for mining and heavy industry clients across Australia and overseas.
Led by experienced safety and emergency response professionals, ISH24 combines real-world site experience with practical, scenario-based training to help worksites stay safe, compliant and operational during critical activities.
At its core, ISH24 provides comprehensive confined space management during shutdowns. Planned outages and major shutdowns involve high safety risks, tight timelines and complex coordination. ISH24 provides experienced teams including sentries, atmospheric testers, leading hands, sentry control operators and supervisors to manage the full lifecycle of confined space activity.
Equipped to support shutdowns of any size, including multi-month projects requiring more than 150 personnel, ISH24 works closely with site leadership to manage both scheduled and ad hoc high-risk activities while maintaining operational efficiency and safety standards.
Winning the confidence of mining giant Cadia
Since March 2025, ISH24 has been providing ongoing support to Newmont’s Cadia operations in Orange, NSW, delivering confined space management services with effective results. The team includes up to 70 sentries and atmospheric testers during major shutdowns at Cadia and Cadia East, supported by supervisors, leading hands and dedicated sentry control operators across day and night shifts. ISH24 manages two major shutdowns each quarter while also assisting with planned maintenance between shutdowns, ensuring work proceeds safely and efficiently.
Beyond confined space management, ISH24 provides on-site gas detector servicing and has implemented the cloud-based Ezy ID platform to strengthen tool and asset tracking in the on-site tool store.
Electronic sentry control: real-time oversight
A standout feature implemented at Cadia is ISH24’s in-house Electronic Sentry Control system, which provides live visibility of all confined space activity. A dedicated operator manages the Sentry Control Board, tracking which spaces are scheduled to open against approved work orders and confirming permits and isolations are in place before any work begins. Sentries are deployed only when tasks are ready to proceed, reducing downtime and preventing unnecessary standby.
The system records which spaces are open, including the assigned work groups, atmospheric testing frequency and results as well as the duration of each work order to the minute. It allows sentries to be reallocated quickly if priorities shift, ensuring resources are used efficiently and critical works stay on track. Detailed metrics record all activity data, which is continuously consolidated into a comprehensive activity log throughout the shutdown period.
Mine control and emergency services officers have remote visibility of the live Electronic Sentry Control Board, removing unnecessary radio traffic while keeping communication channels clear for urgent matters. In an emergency, spaces can be identified and closed immediately.
Since introducing Electronic Sentry Control at Cadia, ISH24 has consistently met sentry allocation targets, improved accountability and increased workflow efficiency, providing real-time oversight and detailed post-shutdown reporting rarely available in traditional sentry management.
Commitment to safety first
As Managing Director Daniel McMahon explains: “Our priority is simple — everyone we work with goes home safe at the end of the day. Our clients rely on our judgement when it comes to best practice on site, particularly during high-risk work.”
For mining operators seeking a reliable shutdown partner, specialist rescue capability or workforce training that translates directly to site performance, ISH24 offers a proven solution.
