Oklahoma State University Launches Research Project Aimed at Enhancing workplace Safety with Vizard and SightLab VR Pro

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Client: Oklahoma State University in collaboration with The MEMIC Group

Use Case: Training for Workplace Safety, Engineering

Two professors from Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology are launching a research project to create virtual reality (VR) training materials aimed at enhancing workplace safety, based on the Multi-User VR Experiment Generator SightLab VR Pro for Vizard. 

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A student wearing a VR headset uses a treadmill to move around in the simulation.

Professors Involved:

• Dr. Diana Rodriguez Coca, Assistant Professor of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
• Dr. Leslie Stockel, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology

The project, titled "Virtual Reality Study of Line of Fire Incidents," is funded by a grant from The MEMIC Group. The study will span two years, beginning in the fall of 2024.

Focus of the Study:

"Line of fire" incidents occur when workers in industrial or construction settings place themselves in hazardous positions where they are at risk of being struck by or caught between moving or fixed objects, potentially resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. The main goal is to develop VR training materials to increase awareness among workers and prevent such incidents.

Project Details:

• VR Scenarios: The VR scenarios will be based on real-life incidents that resulted in workplace fatalities. These scenarios will be developed by Tanvir Rahman Rifat, a graduate student working under the supervision of Dr. Rodriguez Coca and Dr. Stockel.
• Research Phases: The research will be conducted in two phases. Initially, participants with no prior training will be placed in the VR environment to identify hazards and risks. Subsequently, training materials will be developed based on the findings, and the same participants will be re-evaluated after receiving the training.

Training Benefits:

The VR simulations provide a safe, cost-effective, and efficient method for training, eliminating the risks associated with real-life training scenarios. According to Dr. Stockel, VR promises significant advantages for education and training compared to traditional methods.

Impact and Future Research:

The study aims to generate results that can expand the field's knowledge and contribute to developing future training materials. These materials will help reduce both short- and long-term impacts on workplace safety and employee health.

Link to Article https://news.okstate.edu/articles/engineering-architecture-technology/2024/ceat-professors-to-study-virtual-reality-training-for-workplace-safety.html 

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