The challenge: Eliminating the actual risk involved in training for work at height
Traditional training for working on fragile roofs presents an inherent dilemma: for learning to be effective, the worker must face real-life scenarios, but the risk of falling from these surfaces is extremely high and potentially fatal. Carrying out practical exercises on real roofs involves complex safety logistics and does not allow the trainee to visually experience the consequences of a mistake without putting themselves at risk.
Furthermore, FEMEVAL identified the need for a tool that would not only teach the technical aspects of the task, but also strengthen workers’ critical thinking skills so they could assess their surroundings before starting work. The challenge was to create a system that would allow learners to make mistakes, identify faults in safety measures and correct them independently, ensuring that their knowledge was firmly established before they went up onto a real roof.
Femeval
A business organisation that brings together and represents companies in the metal sector in the province of Valencia, offering training and innovation services and advocating for the sector’s interests.
The solution: Immersive training without limits or physical barriers
The solution developed is an advanced virtual reality application compatible with Meta Quest devices. Through a realistic digital environment, the user can carry out a thorough inspection of the deck, assessing the presence and condition of guardrails, safety nets and work platforms. If the operator detects any missing items, the system allows them to add the necessary safety features from a virtual inventory, providing immediate feedback on their correct installation.
The app stands out for its interactivity and its ability to simulate maintenance and repair tasks in real time. The software not only checks personal protective equipment (PPE), such as harnesses and lifelines, but also vividly recreates falls and accidents if safety regulations are not followed. This approach aims to foster a deep understanding of the importance of safety through hands-on learning.
Safety guaranteed throughout the practical learning process
Improved knowledge retention through immersive learning
Reduction in the likelihood of serious accidents in real-world environments
- Assessment of the condition of handrails, safety nets and platforms in a realistic VR environment
- Option to select and add missing protective components using the guided installation wizard
- Interactive inspection of harnesses, helmets and lifelines before the task
- Simulated falls caused by a failure to comply with regulations, to raise safety awareness
Key findings
The implementation of this tool has enabled FEMEVAL to deliver much more efficient training, completely eliminating physical risks during the learning phase. Workers can now identify and correct errors in a controlled environment, which significantly improves retention and understanding of current regulations compared with traditional methods. The use of Meta Quest technology ensures a seamless and accessible experience for technical staff.
Furthermore, the project has succeeded in raising safety awareness amongst workers in the metalworking sector, thereby reducing the likelihood of serious accidents in the workplace. By mastering the inspection of collective and individual protective equipment in the virtual environment, workers transfer these safety habits into their daily practice, thereby fostering a culture of prevention that protects companies’ most important asset: their people.
