According to a study done in the UK, in 2022, 25% of worker fatalities were in the construction industry. Also, the fatal injury rate was almost double compared to other industries. The construction industry is filled with potential health and safety hazards. They operate heavy machinery, use dangerous tools, and are often placed in potentially hazardous situations. Hence, companies promote construction safety training using immersive virtual reality.

Any construction site, regardless of its stage of development, is rife with potential for accidents. Suffice it to say, that efforts must be taken to reduce the risks in the construction industry and virtual reality could help in that effort.

We have to agree that the traditional safety training methods are not enough. If they were, then the number of construction workplace fatalities would decrease and not increase. Using VR in construction safety training is a necessary step forward and is gaining traction every day. Many safety officers across the globe see the benefits this technology provides. Companies are considering integrating the technology into their operations.

Early on, hands-on experiences for workers were difficult to access. Most training programs adopted a ‘learn-on-the-job’ training approach. This approach often did more harm than good. However, the inclusion of VR technology helps companies overcome the problem. Now, they can provide a safe immersive environment for workers to learn. Here, the workers can experiment, try different approaches, and learn without risking their safety.

The need for construction safety training using immersive virtual reality is high. Companies see the potential VR tech has in changing the industry for the better. This article will discuss the many benefits that come from construction safety training using immersive virtual training. It also shows it is quickly becoming a must-have tool in the construction industry.

But before we dive in…

Understanding construction safety training using immersive virtual reality

VR in construction safety training means integrating VR tech into current safety training programs. These programs involve immersing the workers in virtual environments. These virtual worlds simulate real-life scenarios typical of a construction site. In these simulations, workers can interact with objects, perform safety procedures, learn from their mistakes, and share feedback with their managers.

This training takes place in a completely safe and controlled environment. Workers can learn here freely without facing any risk to their safety and well-being. VR construction safety training aims to complement the existing safety training methods. It even helps improve knowledge retention, increase safety awareness, and lower the risk of injuries.

Benefits of construction safety training using immersive virtual reality

The technical and educational services here help users get the experience of working on real objects. VR in construction safety training comes with a host of significant benefits to construction companies. These benefits include:

Avoiding real dangers or disruptions

A notable problem with regular training methods is transferring the knowledge learned there into real scenarios. That problem is circumvented through VR. Here, you can program scenarios in a realistic 3D environment. That way, the workers can face these situations and learn the protocols needed to overcome them. The trainees can develop the essential skills without needing to leave their workplace.

VR training here provides the opportunity to learn or experience scenarios you may not face in real life. These issues test a trainee’s skills and help prepare them if and when these problems arise. Additionally, you can customize the program to accommodate more than one player. This approach helps the team work together through coordination.

Greater knowledge retention and reduced training costs

VR safety training is especially helpful for newcomers. These employees have no on-site experience and are starting fresh. This technology is especially helpful for students just out of university. Through construction training simulators, the trainees gain the essential safety knowledge they need. Further, they can practice as much as required without putting their safety at risk. Now, managers will only let employees onto the site only after they completed the necessary training programs.

VR training has the additional benefit of being quicker and easier to track. Rather than finding the time and resources to move to a free worksite, here companies get everything in one place. The manager and employees have no inconveniences like bad weather. The company can run the training program multiple times without worrying about further costs or increased risks.

Prepare for emergencies

Another benefit of VR in construction safety training is helping everyone prepare for an emergency. This emergency can be unforeseen procedures, fire drills, or potential hazards. This immersive training can cover a wide range of subjects. Subjects like a sudden fire on the site, equipment malfunction, dangling from a ledge, etc. These scenarios are very risky to create in real life and come with significant risks. Those risks are completely mitigated in virtual reality. Here, the trainees and managers must think on their feet and figure out how to solve the problem.

Playing out emergency procedures in real-time helps in critical thinking and progressive learning among the team. After all, engaging with others in a simulated scenario is far more informative than learning through a presentation.

Better results

VR training can simplify complex problems and projects. Dividing the project into various levels with choices makes it easy for the trainer and trainee to approach the subject. This method calms the nerves of participants and helps them focus everything on the task at hand. They are not distracted by other workers or fear for their safety.

Another benefit to VR technology here is that the training is not limited to a single program. If anything, VR presents more opportunities to expand. The virtual environment helps trainees pick up the relevant skills needed while dealing with none of the risks.

Everyone deserves to work safely

Virtual reality in construction helps keep the workers safe. It also helps architects develop or modify the existing sites. Here, the architects can identify and locate hazards and create escape routes. Also, the inclusion of VR technology makes it easier to spot mishaps or identify issues during the planning stage. Here, architects get a better understanding of the project before they commit to creating a prototype. This approach helps the architects save time, create a safer building, and reduce additional costs. Further, they can predict where safety issues can arise before they become a problem.

Conclusion

The construction industry may recognize the importance of safety training for their workers, but that is not enough. Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need for better risk management solutions. Through virtual reality, companies provide the closest possible simulations of real-world scenarios for practice and training. These programs help participants retain knowledge better while being cost-effective. Such benefits will appeal to any construction company around the world.

VR and AR will play a significant role in the future of the construction industry. Other training technologies will improve efficiencies and boost productivity. Hence, the best thing to do right now is to partner with a company that develops such programs and creates one today.