Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer just high budget futuristic fiction or gaming entertainment. In recent years, VR has broken out of its niche confines and established itself as a pivotal tool in diverse sectors, particularly in the realm of behaviour-based safety. Among the many benefits of VR in safety training, is its ability to allow users to mission-rehearse and immerse trainees in potentially unsafe scenarios.
Our specialist blended learning and immersive training business, SHIIFT, creates blended learning experiences that address key lifesaving rules. One of the more in-demand synthetic VR training modules is ‘working at height’. Using this as an example, the following outlines the benefits of VR training.
One of the major challenges with traditional HSE awareness and training is conveying the gravity and intensity of potential risks without actually placing trainees in danger. VR seamlessly addresses this. Through VR simulation, individuals can be placed into scenarios where they’re working at varying heights, with equipment, and navigating around hazards, all the while being firmly grounded in a controlled environment. The high-quality realism of the experience drives home the importance of safety measures without exposing trainees to real-life dangers.
While practicing potentially dangerous scenarios like working at height, immediate feedback is invaluable. In a VR environment, trainees can make a mistake, learn from it, and then retry the scenario multiple times. This instantaneous feedback ensures that the learning curve is steep, and the mistakes made in the virtual realm are far less likely to be repeated in the real world.
The dynamic nature of VR means scenarios can be easily adapted or changed to suit specific training needs. While one session might focus on the challenges of working on a high-rise construction site, another might simulate the best practice in repairing a wind turbine. This adaptability ensures that trainees are well-prepared for a range of situations, not just a generic height-related challenge.
With VR, geographical boundaries vanish. Trainees no longer need to travel to specific training centres within the company. Whether in Tokyo, Toronto, or Timbuktu, all one needs is a VR headset and a high speed internet connection to dive into a comprehensive safety training module, making learning truly global. This in turn can negate the need for trainers in every location; by opting for a digital environment either users can be guided through with built in instructions or trainers can remote into a session anywhere and instruct users through. In each scenario by deploying VR the training the experience is always consistent and companies can ensure there is a standardised approach to training regardless of a user being in Houston, Singapore or Abu Dhabi.
In the real world, setting up safety drills, especially those that involve working at height scenarios, can be resource-intensive, expensive, and time-consuming. VR offers an alternative where such scenarios can be simulated and repeated as often as needed without incurring additional costs. This ensures that trainees can practice until they’re comfortable and competent, without logistical constraints. There’s no valuable equipment downtime or risks to damage, everything can be broken in VR as many times as you like (or allow)
While the initial setup cost for VR might seem substantial, the long-term savings are significant. No expenses for travel, equipment maintenance for training, or hiring human trainers for every session. Over time, these savings add up, making VR a cost-effective training solution.
The use of Virtual Reality in safety training, particularly for practicing unsafe scenarios safely, marks a significant advancement in how we prepare individuals for high-risk professions. Our ‘Working at heights‘ application serves as a testament to the potential of VR to meld the boundaries between realism and safety. As technology continues to evolve, it’s evident that VR will play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of safety training, ensuring that professionals are equipped with both the knowledge and experience they need to navigate real-world challenges safely.
To see the full case study for Working at Heights click here.
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