Construction remains a hazardous, high-risk industry despite decades of safety reforms. The rate of injuries and fatalities remains high. Even with mandated safety training, South Korea, for example, has one of the highest construction injury rates among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development nations. How well is safety education being taught? Classroom-based and paper-driven training has failed to prepare workers for dynamic construction site environments. Lack of practical relevance and inconsistent training quality has led to higher costs and greater on-site risk. Researchers Saruul Ishdorj, Inwon Kim, Changbum R. Ahn, and Jinwoo Kim explore virtual reality as an alternative using immersive, hands-on simulations. Workers can practice responding to dangerous scenarios in a controlled environment.
Their study “Effectiveness of VR Training and Observer-Based Learning for Complex and High-Risk Construction Task Performance” investigates the effectiveness of VR training and introduces a “VR observer” approach, where individuals learn by observing others using VR equipment. Focusing on post-tensioning, a complex and high-risk construction task, the authors compare three methods: direct VR training, VR observer training, and traditional paper-based instruction. Results show that VR-based methods not only improve task performance but also boost intrinsic motivation, with VR observation offering a cost-effective way to expand access to immersive training without requiring every participant to use VR hardware. By reducing risk, improving engagement, and enhancing retention of safety protocols, VR represents a significant advancement in construction safety education. Learn more about implementing VR to help reduce accidents and standardize training quality in the Journal of Management in Engineering at https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-6834. The abstract is below.
Abstract
Effective training is crucial for mitigating construction accidents and enhancing worker performance during high-risk complex tasks. Virtual reality (VR) environments are increasingly recognized as offering safer, more effective, and more efficient training methods for preparing individuals for hazardous construction settings. This study examines the impact of VR training on learning and motivation in such tasks, focusing specifically on post-tensioning slab construction. This study compares three training methods: VR training, VR observer training, and traditional paper-based teaching. Data collection involved post-test quiz scores and ratings from the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). Statistical analyses, including one-way analysis of variance, post hoc tests, and effect size calculations, were applied to the data. The results indicate that the VR user group achieved significantly higher post-test scores and demonstrated greater intrinsic motivation across most dimensions than did the traditional group. Effect-size analyses underscore the practical significance of these findings, suggesting that VR technology and observation methods can significantly enhance learning effectiveness and motivation in challenging and hazardous construction tasks. These findings have implications for educational strategies and instructional designs in occupational training contexts.
Learn more about how virtual reality training can improve safety during the construction phase in the ASCE Library: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-6834.
