VR Safety Training – Benefits & Use Cases
Workplace safety is a growing priority for many businesses around the UK. But for some industries, guaranteeing the safety of trainees proves to be more challenging depending on the nature of the role.
For example, where an employee predominantly based in an office might be considered at lower risk of harm, those operating heavy machinery, handling dangerous substances or performing life-threatening medical procedures might not get a second chance to learn from their mistakes.
And as sobering as that sounds, it’s true. In 2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shared that 142 work-related fatal injuries were recorded in the UK, 39 of which occurring within the construction industry and 20 in manufacturing.
It goes to show how dangerous some working environments can be and begs the question what can be done to protect trainees about to start a career in potentially fatal working environments.
Well, as you’re likely to already know, virtual reality (VR) has been a major player in the way employers plan training programmes, with more and more businesses realising its capabilities and affordability.
Aside from the fact it can run simulations for any industry, it offers a 3D immersive platform where employees can learn industry-related skills in a risk-free environment from anywhere in the world.
Whether it’s operating heavy machinery, learning to fly an aircraft or perhaps manufacturing ground-breaking technology, VR has proven to heighten engagement, strengthen memory retention and produce better results across multiple industries. But more on that later.
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Benefits of using VR for safety training
Implementing VR for safety training carries multiple benefits. Not only does it remove the risk of harm for trainees, but it introduces them to an immersive learning platform they may have never experienced before.
It means, from the get-go, participant engagement is likely to be much higher, which paves the way for higher engagement and deeper learning, where knowledge is far more likely to be retained.
In fact, in PwC’s report, ‘Seeing Is Believing’, it’s noted VR learners completed training four times faster than those who learnt the same material in a traditional setting. The same report also adds there was a higher knowledge- retention rate from learners who used VR.
Similarly, according to a study conducted by the University of Maryland in 2018, Professor of Computer Science, Amitabh Varshey, said: “This data is exciting in that it suggests that immersive environments could offer new pathways for improved outcomes in education and high-proficiency training”.
A 2016 study involving high school students in China also found that memory retention and test scores improved when VR learning was incorporated into the curriculum.
Perhaps one of the reasons for VR’s success in training is due to its accessibility. Because unlike the rigmarole of preparing resources and wasting time commuting to dedicated training centres, VR can be accessed from anywhere in the world simply by putting on a headset.
It means trainees can learn anything from heart surgery through to operating heavy machinery all from the comfort of their sofa (or any other location that fits around their needs). If you ask us, it’s a win-win solution for employees and employers.
What’s more, using VR for safety training removes any risks or distractions you might associate with traditional training methods. As a result, trainees devote more attention to training modules, comforted by the knowledge they’re in a safe environment. It’s real-world scenarios without real-world consequences.
But aside from the safety and security offered by VR, it also outperforms computer-based learning for memory retention. That’s because, unlike the near-static movement of operating a mouse and keyboard, VR requires learners to perform real-world movements which, in turn, leverages embodied cognition.
This is a term used by researchers that recognises we are more likely to learn industry-related procedures by performing them as you would in your role.
Before we move on, it’s worth mentioning that everybody has differentiated learning styles. And while VR offers flexibility to meet every requirement in a safe environment, there’s still benefits in offering a blended learning programme which comprises both VR and traditional methods.
It really depends on the needs of your learners.
