Alan Ferguson, Safety+Health Editor, speaks on the risks and benefits of utilizing virtual reality in safety training. Ferguson writes, "You don a virtual reality headset. Then, the floor begins to shake and the sound of an 'industrial whine' is heard as you shoot into an illusionary world 30 feet above the ground on a platform connected to another by a thin walkway. For many visitors to the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University, one of their first experiences is 'walking the plank'. Virtual Reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors."
Safety culture is a top priority here at Chamberlin. None of the work we do can be considered a success, even if we do a quality job, if our safety efforts fail and one of our team members gets hurt. Our people have been and always will be our most important asset, and the safety of our people both in the field and in the office must always be our first priority.
There are pros and cons of virtual reality training for construction as real-world situations have unforeseen variances that virtual training simulators may not take into account. Read Alan Ferguson's full article to know the ins and outs of virtual reality and safety training.