The Human Factors Research Group (HFRG) from the University of Nottingham recently conducted a study on whether or not immersive virtual reality (VR) training could make emergency procedures safer and more effective. According to the results of the study, HFRG found that VR training did, in fact, positively influence the behavior of employees during fire evacuation drills and gas leaks.
While VR training has been shown to improve the job-related skills of employees, such as engine repair within Rolls-Royce or in virtual operating rooms with Osso VR, training for emergency situations is also crucial for employee safety. In this study, HFRG compared the knowledge retention and responses of several different groups during simulated emergencies.
HFRG compared the responses of employees who only had a VR headset for sight and sound with the responses of employees who, in addition to the VR headset, also experienced a multi-sensory environment with the addition of heat and the smell of smoke. The group that experienced the multi-sensory training displayed a better sense of urgency and understanding for the emergency than the group that only experienced the VR headset.
HFRG took the study a step further by also comparing the effectiveness of PowerPoint training versus VR training for instructing employees on emergency procedures. Overall, HFRG found that employees who underwent the VR training had better knowledge retention and were more engaged than those who underwent PowerPoint training.
HFRG consulted with various parties throughout the study, including the University of Nottingham’s Health and Safety advisors and Rolls-Royce. HFRG hopes to continue developing and testing VR training for workplace safety and efficiency that can be implemented in industry.
