Zero harm and better productivity. These are the core objectives when it comes to Health and Safety training and with the inclusion of technology-assisted learning like Virtual Reality, the future of risk reports and profit margins could look much brighter.
How exactly do VR safety training programs work?
A learner can be immersed in a stimulating environment reflecting different real-world scenarios, even potentially hazardous ones, from the safety of his or her training facility. These scenarios are set up online or on standalone experiences and can be deployed across numerous sites at the same time, mitigating the presence of specialist personnel and lengthy manuals. It makes an operational rollout far speedier and more cost-effective. Learners can completely immerse themselves and physically practice operations within site-specific scenarios, without causing any risk to themselves or property, and can be monitored and assessed until they have gained confidence and satisfactorily mastered the training.
In addition to a safe training environment, Virtual reality health and safety training can be designed using different perspectives of a potentially dangerous situation, operatives are able to experience the implications of their choices or actions. This gives them a better understanding of a process that will significantly aid in the reduction of workplace incidents. By giving people the freedom to learn from failure, allows greater training success. Workforces retain more knowledge by learning from their mistakes and therefore develop life-saving skills and workplace competencies.
Hazardous Materials
Certain situations are virtually impossible to recreate for real, and on-the-job training for these jobs is very risky – this is a perfect opportunity to incorporate VR. Theory can be reinforced through simulated environment training where learners can apply regulatory processes and activities:
- Identifying hazardous waste
- Hazardous waste clean-ups and disposal
- Biological waste clean-ups and disposal
- Safe handling
- Decontamination procedures
- Bioremediation equipment
Trainees can investigate environments with pre-programmed hazards, and risk assessments can be conducted based on different industry scenarios. During these walkthroughs and observations, direct managers and HSE leaders can virtually observe scenarios to rate and then compile risk assessment reports.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is another great example where there is a huge gap to fill between theory and practical training. Virtual reality health and safety training allows learners to simulate putting out fires, evacuation drills, and get familiar with the processes and equipment before graduating onto real-time practical exercises.
Bridging the gap between theory and practical
It is an important step between theory and on-the-job training where a learner can physically practice and build muscle memory so that he or she is ready to get on with the job in real life. There are many ways in which virtual reality health and safety training can play a role in future safety training programmes, as VR-based training is anchored on real-life scenarios and incidents whether it be in the mining, construction, or industry sectors. The beauty of VR safety training programs is that it can be fully customized to replicate your exact work environment, right down to the finest of details such as weather conditions, faults, and damage.
Reduce risk, remain profitable
In a world where technology and machinery are changing on a daily basis, and with the dawning of modern industry upon us, the urgency to keep incidents and risk rates down whilst remaining highly profitable will increase massively through VR safety training. Knowledge retention is crucial when it comes to health and safety training, and with VR safety training programs, we have a tool that is ready to help combat risk and increase competence at our fingertips.
At an industry level, there are many more specific use cases and benefits of virtual reality or VR for training. If you are looking for a remote solution that helps in training individuals for your organization, write to us at hello@xarpie.com for your queries.