Factors for the Automation of the Creation of Virtual Reality Experiences to Raise Awareness of Occupational Hazards on Construction Sites

Abstract

Two of the differential characteristics of the AECO sector (architecture, engineering, construction and operation) are barriers for the mass creation of training materials for its workers. On the one hand, the workplace is unique and changing over time; on the other, the aging trend of its workers and the unattractive nature of the industry for new generations of professionals. These two problems can be tackled by virtual reality technologies, which allow the agile creation of all kinds of scenarios, while their current technology may be attractive to young people and intuitive for everyone. This work shows the results of an investigation that seeks to provide automated tools based on virtual reality experiences to support learning in occupational risk prevention. This objective is part of the development of a culture for prevention, which allows the treatment of the human factor, with all its complexity and casuistry. The proposal includes the development of a process and tools that allow replicating the specific scenario where the work will be carried out, incorporating risks and probable incidents, systematically establishing cause-effect relationships, incorporating a narrative (storytelling) that provides emotional meaning to users and Lastly, the creation of a workflow that facilitates the agile development of these virtual reality experiences for each specific work.

Multi-User Virtual Reality for Remote Collaboration in Construction Projects: A Case Study with High-Rise Elevator Machine Room Planning

“…Many studies have developed VR systems for construction scheduling, discrete-events simulation, and on-site real-time tracking [33][34][35]. Moreover, construction safety planning, training, and monitoring in VR has gained more popularity in the AEC research community [1,36,37]. Safety training systems with different levels of realism from just a prompt-message to stimulation of other senses such as adding sound from the construction site has been developed in many studies [32,[38][39][40][41].…”

Critical Analysis of the Evaluation Methods of Extended Reality (XR) Experiences for Construction Safety

“…Within the literature that does not perform evaluation, most of the XR developments for safety focus on the design, development, and simulation of the experience. These include topics such as: training in the use and operation of cranes [ 34 , 35 ], postural training [ 36 ], paving operations [ 37 ], among others [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]; collision detection [ 44 , 45 ]; prevention of occupational hazards [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]; and the general topics of construction safety [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ]. Some papers test the operation of the technology in addition to focusing on the development of the experience.…”

Occupational injuries among male construction workers in Spain

“…More recently, the integration of new technologies in construction safety has been addressed by different authors [11]. Some innovative solutions such as the use of exoskeletons to reduce physical requirements [12], or the use of virtual environments as a support tool for health and safety training [13], are being developed in the sector.…”