Innovative systems for OSH training: VR Tour case study for LOTO procedure

Occupational safety and health (OSH) training is fundamental to reduce risks and ensure workers’ well-being. In digital transformation context, virtual reality (VR) represents a tool able of simulating hazardous scenarios in which learning-by-doing, through an experiential learning model, is possible without being exposed to risk situations. The literature shows that a systematic approach to the design of OSH training interventions using VR is still lacking. This work presents the first investigation conducted as part of the Fereo project - Organizational Training and Resilience Engineering with New Enabling Technologies (Bric Inail 2022- ID63), namely the study and the evaluation protocols. In fact, one of the project objectives is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a VR Tour on the LOTO (Lockout Tagout) procedure for the maintenance of machines and plants. The training modules have been implemented following the Skill-Rule-Knowledge framework to determine the appropriate display of information for workers to understand and operate systems while considering factors such as attention, response time, memory, and hand-eye coordination. The VR Tour was developed in three scenarios: “Trial & Error”, “LOTO & Variability”, “Supervisor Training”. An evaluation protocol, including control groups and questionnaires, assesses the experience, effectiveness, and usability of the solution, focusing on Cybersickness, Presence and Task-Load. Future steps will involve extending the scenarios to include the role of supervisors with the opportunity to verify that operators are performing activities correctly and customizing the scenario. This experimentation in VR technology is expected to provide a broader perspective and enable organizations to improve the training and the management of workers' health and safety. The purpose of this study is to outline clear suggestions for the VR solutions design and implementation according to the quality, effectiveness and both technical and methodological specificity required by OSH training.