Customised virtual reality health and safety training
This project has been conducted by Dr Zulfikar Adamu of Southbank University, with funding from the Royal Charter International Research Award 2018, of which Dr Adamu was a co-winner. The Awards is supported by the BRE Trust and the Worshipful Company of Constructors.
The research at Southbank University is developing a virtual-reality tool to deliver training that is designed to improve health and safety in the construction industry. It includes a psychometric test to assess key personality traits for each trainee, the outcomes of which are used to customise the virtual-reality experience so that the training benefits are enhanced.
The trainee then becomes a ‘player’ in a virtual-reality, health and safety training ‘game’, which is set in a construction workplace with a range of hazards (such as, falling equipment, fire and working at heights), adapted to the player’s particular personality and needs.
Other variables include the weather, such as rain, wind, snow and lightning, set to varying strengths, and inventory such as equipment and tools – so the player’s ability to, for example, work safely on scaffolding on a windy day can be tested and lessons learned. The impacts of health issues such as dust and vibration, and the player’s ability to appropriately deal with these, can also be included.
The next steps are to finalise the desk top application for use on laptops, etc, and then to enable it to be played at home on smart TVs – bringing construction into the home in a way that could potentially help to attract new talent to the industry. The final step will be to make a web accessible version of the game so it can be streamed live.
Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5Bv9OnmMMM&feature=emb_logo
This article originally appeared on the BRE Trust website in 2020.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.