7-8. Effectiveness of Implementing Immersive Safety Training Using VR/AR

Immersive safety training utilizing VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) has proven to significantly enhance worker understanding and practical skills compared to traditional classroom lectures and manual-based training. In the EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) field, in particular, this method is gaining attention as it allows for the realistic simulation of hazardous work and emergency responses, directly contributing to accident prevention and risk management.

High Learning Retention

Unlike conventional training where learners are often passive, VR/AR encourages active participation, helping to embed the learning content into memory through experience. For example, using VR goggles to conduct a chemical spill response drill allows trainees to have a simulated experience of the danger, leading to a deeper understanding of why safety rules are necessary. The high effectiveness of this training is considered to be on par with on-the-job training, leading to reduced training time and a lower accident rate.

Safely Replicating Dangerous Experiences

The biggest strength of VR/AR is its ability to safely replicate events that would result in serious accidents in real life. Situations that are difficult to reproduce in an actual workplace—such as experiencing a fall from a height, an evacuation drill during a factory fire, or the risk of contact with heavy machinery—can be experienced in a virtual space. This allows workers to feel the gravity of the danger and naturally learn how to avoid it.

Adaptable to Diverse Training Environments

VR/AR training can be applied to a wide range of work environments, including factories, construction sites, laboratories, and offices. It is also easy to deploy to multinational teams, enabling visual and experiential learning that transcends language barriers. Since employees at remote locations can receive the same training, it is possible to achieve standardization and efficiency of education simultaneously.

Implementation Costs and ROI

While there are initial costs for VR equipment and software development, a long-term return on investment can be expected in the form of improved training efficiency, reduced losses from accident prevention, and lower workers' compensation costs. Furthermore, by combining it with a cloud-based educational system, it becomes easy to perform regular updates and add content, maintaining a continuous educational effect.

Conclusion

Immersive safety training that utilizes VR/AR is an effective method for raising employee safety awareness and helping them naturally acquire risk avoidance behaviors. The technology's ability to safely replicate dangerous experiences is bringing innovation to EHS education and is contributing to the widespread adoption of a safety culture and the realization of zero accidents within companies.