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Table of Contents
VR safety training is a modern method of professional safety instruction that places trainees into interactive, computer-generated environments. Equipped with a Virtual Reality (VR) headset, typically a standalone model like the Meta Quest, users navigate virtual scenarios unsafely to reinforce correct behaviors and protocols.
Photo Credit: Trusted Reviews
These setups simulate hazards such as fire, equipment malfunctions, chemical spills, or emergency evacuations. Trainees physically interact with the virtual world: they operate machinery, don personal protective equipment (PPE), or locate emergency exits, and by doing so are given an opportunity to practice being in a work environment, without the dangers of the real work environment. Through visual, auditory, and sometimes haptic feedback, VR creates a realistic and engaging learning environment.
In contrast to traditional classroom lectures or video-based training, virtaul reality provides hands-on, first-person experience without real-world risk, increasing knowledge retention and preparedness.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into what VR training actually is, check out our article that explains it really well and differentiates it from other reality altering technology like Mixed Reality (MR), or Augmented Reality (AR)
VR surpasses conventional training methods in several ways, the key benefits of VR safety training include:
If you’d like to learn more and see examples of how some of these benefits are taken advantage of, check out our post on ‘The Benefits of VR Training‘!
Learning about VR safety training is a great start to understanding new and modern ways of training your employees and how they work, but how can you be convinced of it’s value without seeing an example? Here are five of some of my personal favorite – in no particular order – real-world examples of VR safety training applications being used by existing companies today, but if you’d like a live demonstration, get in touch with us and we can organize a discovery session!
A typical development process includes:
Projects typically take 6–12 weeks from planning to pilot launch. Complex modules may require additional time. If you’d like specifics about your ideas and if you think they are doable or worthwhile, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Ideal users include:
VR safety training is highly effective for new hires, annual refreshers, onboarding, and compliance-driven roles.
If you’re serious about launching a VR training program for your company, my best tip is to drop us an email at hello@shiifttraining.com or read our more in-depth guide on getting started with VR training for a company by clicking here.
Q: Is VR safety training suitable for all industries?
A: Yes, and it’s especially beneficial for any industry with high-risk tasks or procedural work where hands-on practice is dangerous or expensive. Many industries use VR training for safety training purposes with great success seen in each one.
Q: How long does it take to develop a VR module?
A: Typically between 6 to 12 weeks, depending on complexity and customization. Shorter deployment times are possible for off-the-shelf content, while even longer deployment times exist for more comprehensive VR safety training content.
Q: Do employees need prior VR experience?
A: No. Most systems are intuitive, and users typically adapt quickly to the VR environment. Optionally, users can request a manual or a short written guide on basics of using the system,though tutorials will usually exist within the VR application for SHIIFT’s VR safety training projects.
Q: Can VR replace traditional training entirely?
A: It’s best used alongside traditional methods, complementing rather than fully replacing lectures or hands-on practice.
Q: What hardware is required?
A: Standalone headsets like Meta Quest series are most common, they’re lightweight, mobile, and headset-only (no PC required). Though if you’re looking for something with a high graphical fidelity, then you would need a VR-ready gaming laptop or PC and tether your VR headset to it if it’s compatible.
Q: Is it expensive?
A: While there’s an upfront development cost, many companies recoup investment quickly through lower incident rates, travel savings, and streamlined training. You also have the option of going for a subscription-based payment from some suppliers, but this will be less tailored and more generic as they focus on specific industry training and create a large catalog of training modules that are often paid for per user per month.
If you choose this option, I advise that you look thoroughly for a good supplier, because many of the existing suppliers focus on quantity over quality when it comes to their VR safety training catalogs. If you’re looking for something fully custom that costs more upfront, but fully reflects your existing work environment, contact SHIIFT.
Q: Can we track progress?
A: Yes. VR systems typically provide analytics on trainee choices, time to completion, errors made, etc.
Q: Can we update the content later?
A: Absolutely. Modules can be modified to reflect new procedures, regulations, or site changes. Be aware that this can incur more costs depending on the complexity of your requests.
Q: Does VR training meet safety regulations?
A: When built properly, VR aligns with standards like ISO 45001 and can support compliance documentation with audit-ready data.
If you have further questions, get in touch!
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