RISKS AND BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL REALITY WITHIN A MULTI-SITE ORGANISATION Ms Kelly Jaunzems Professor Lelia Green Dr David Leith
Effective communication channels in occupational health and safety PhD research Partner Organisation OHS Consultants Which, and how effective, are the communication channels currently used by OHS Professionals in Australian Workplace settings?
Virtual reality use of computers and humancomputer interfaces to create the effect of a three-dimensional world containing interactive objects with a strong sense of three-dimensional presence
VR Current uses
What can VR do for safety? Virtual reality provides the best tools for accident reconstruction, training and hazard identification by immersing the trainee in an environment as close to real world as possible the difference between the conventional and VR training is that VR immerses the trainees in realistic, functional simulations of workplace and equipment and they demonstrate mastery of skills through performance of tasks in multiple scenarios (Kizil and Joy, 2001, p. 569)
VR safety training
Benefits of VR training Real-time and real-world characteristics Drop in and out and pause training Rehearse sequences Instant feedback Track-able and assessable Can be encountered in repeat experiences, but also modified to provide new challenges Experience the consequences of their actions without significant risk Reduce the cost of training Workers who might otherwise spend time in dangerous and restricted environments can be safety trained in a VR lab Motivate younger workers to engage with perfect scores on ladder boards, or as part of collaborative teams Customisable outcomes and delivery options
Limitations and risks of VR training Fear of complexity and uncertainty about the quality of outcomes Cost of implementation View equivalent engagement, including the reality of the risky environment, as a safe space which will forgive mistakes Patterned or conditioned responses Physical side effects
KLM Pan Am disaster
Deidentified case study Highschool, Tafe and University educated employees Sizable mobile workforce Office in the CBD, multiple Ago-owned sites, various urban and rural mobile sites High, medium and low risk work and environments Australian Government Organisation Multiple departments Multi-site Employees, contractors
Mobile VR training Given that giving them the iphone and the goggles, and they can walk on one of our sites, because we can render that in virtual reality, and then have them see what good looks like from a fall-from-heights perspective, you know, put your harness on, clip on, go up inside your elevator and work platform, do your job. But then also see what bad looks like, which is when your phone rings and you forget to flip on your elevates, the thing tips over and of course in the real world yeah you can fall and it can scare the bejesus out of you and see how that [feels]
Discussion Feasibility investigations, and planning, continue Adam s experience of the power of VR training, has won hearts and minds in this particular organisation There is a need to build in continuous research and evaluation of the effectiveness of training delivery
Questions? k.jaunzems@ecu.edu.au l.green@ecu.edu.au