Evaluation of virtual safety training tool application with construction workers

Abstract

Construction sites can be categorized as one of the most high-risk workplaces in terms of occupational safety. Previous studies indicate that highly engaging safety training tools mitigate on-site accidents. In this regard, virtual technologies are encouraged to be used in the development of the safety training tools in the construction industry since they provide visualization, multiuser interactions and task compatibility. In this study, we utilized a virtual safety training tool entitled V-SAFE.v2 which includes only scaffolding task sequence and framework installation processes. V-SAFE.v2 is a highly engaging safety training tool which enable workers to collaborate with each other and gain safety knowledge in an interactive way. In this study, the applicability and efficiency of this training tool were examined at a real construction site. The experiments were conducted with seven construction workers. The effectiveness of V-SAFE.v2 training on their safety knowledge was examined by a comparative analysis. According to the results, V-SAFE.v2 has a potential to increase awareness of the construction workers on the occupational safety issues.