Occupational risk prevention (ORP) is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in any sector. Traditionally, this training has been conducted through theoretical methods, practical exercises in controlled environments, and, at best, videos and role-plays that attempt to bridge theory and practice. However, technological advances have opened up a world of possibilities with the arrival of virtual reality (VR), as we will explore in the following article.
How does occupational risk prevention work in virtual reality?
Virtual reality in occupational risk prevention enables workers to interact with simulated environments that recreate real and potentially hazardous work scenarios. Through VR headsets, employees immerse themselves in highly realistic situations where they can experience and practice safety protocols, evaluate their responses, and strengthen their decision-making skills under pressure.
These VR simulations are specifically designed to address the unique risks of each sector. For example, in the case of construction, VR can recreate high-altitude work environments where employees must follow safety measures to prevent falls. In other sectors, such as industry, VR allows workers to practice using fire extinguishers or identify the correct steps to act in an emergency. By experiencing these situations, workers are able to evaluate the consequences of their decisions in real-time, fostering a greater commitment to risk prevention culture.
Moreover, this type of training allows instructors to customize and adjust the difficulty levels of each simulation. This enables employees to repeatedly practice critical procedures until they acquire the necessary skills. In environments such as confined spaces or hazardous material handling, VR provides a crucial advantage: it allows users to experience extreme situations without physical risk. Virtual reality offers a much safer and more cost-effective alternative, as it prevents business activity disruptions and avoids the expenses associated with physical simulations.
Benefits of virtual reality in occupational risk prevention training
Integrating virtual reality into occupational risk prevention training provides advantages that go beyond traditional training methods. By offering an immersive experience, virtual reality allows employees to encounter controlled risk situations, leading to deeper and longer-lasting learning. Here are some key benefits:
- Active and Practical Learning: Unlike theoretical training, VR enables users to practice safety protocols in realistic environments, increasing their confidence and preparedness.
- Risk and Cost Reduction: Simulating hazardous situations in VR eliminates the need for high-risk practice in real-life settings, ensuring worker safety and minimizing training costs.
- Increased Retention and Motivation: Virtual reality technology has a strong emotional impact on participants, enhancing their engagement and knowledge retention. Studies show that VR-trained employees are more likely to remember and effectively apply what they’ve learned compared to those who receive purely theoretical training.
- Immediate and Personalized Feedback: VR allows instructors to observe and assess employee performance in real-time, making it easier to provide specific corrections and recommendations.
- Ease of Repetition and Continuous Improvement: Virtual reality simulations can be repeated as often as needed, allowing employees to improve with each session and better adapt to safety protocols.
Data supporting the effectiveness of virtual reality in occupational risk prevention
Recent studies support the effectiveness of virtual reality as a training tool for occupational risk prevention. According to data from consulting firm PWC, employees who train with VR experience a 4x greater emotional connection with content, resulting in higher retention and comprehension. Additionally, confidence in applying the acquired knowledge in real-world situations increases by 275% compared to traditional training.
Moreover, companies like Deloitte have observed that virtual reality minimizes distractions during training and enhances focus, both crucial factors for effective learning. In industries like construction and manufacturing, where human error can have severe consequences, VR has proven to be an effective tool for reducing accidents. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that up to 90% of workplace accidents originate from human error. Training workers in a virtual environment helps them recognize and avoid critical mistakes, contributing to a reduction in accident rates.
Examples of applications in occupational risk prevention using VR
Virtual reality is being successfully applied in Industry 4.0 to enhance occupational risk prevention and train employees safely and effectively. Below are two prominent examples of projects where Innoarea Projects has implemented VR simulations to prevent accidents and improve safety training:
Height fall simulation for Silman 97
In collaboration with Silman 97, a VR simulation of height falls was developed. This scenario represents one of the most common workplace accidents and carries high risk for workers, particularly in construction and maintenance industries.
Through this simulation, employees can experience scenarios that cause falls, such as working on elevated platforms without adequate safety measures. VR enables workers to practice accident prevention, make the right decisions on using personal protective equipment (PPE), and react to dangerous situations, all within a completely safe environment. Additionally, the experience allows employees to visualize the consequences of not following safety protocols, reinforcing awareness about the risks of falls and ways to prevent them.
You can find more information on the project here.
Risk prevention training for FEVEMAL
Another exemplary project was conducted with the FEVEMAL (Federation of Metal Associations of the Valencian Community), which brings together several companies in the metal industry. In this case, Innoarea Projects developed a occupational risk prevention training program simulating various hazardous scenarios metal workers might encounter.
This risk prevention platform covers a wide range of situations, including electrical risks, working at heights, heavy machinery handling safety, and more. The simulation provides an interactive and visual environment, allowing workers to learn to handle high-risk situations, such as machinery failures or electrical shocks, and familiarize themselves with response protocols to minimize risk.
You can find more information on the project here.
The future of occupational risk prevention is in virtual reality
Virtual reality has brought a fundamental shift to occupational risk prevention, providing a tool that not only enhances learning but also motivates employees to engage actively in workplace safety. This technology enables the safe experience of high-risk situations, improving knowledge retention and reducing the margin for error. Numerous companies have already seen how immersive VR simulations achieve results that surpass traditional methods.
In a work environment where safety and efficiency are critical, virtual reality is becoming the standard for future training. Adopting it means not only staying ahead but offering workers a solid and memorable training experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
If you’re looking to enhance safety in your company, discover how virtual reality can adapt to the specific needs of your industry. Our team at Innoarea is ready to advise you and demonstrate how our solutions can elevate your business to the next level.
