Optimizing Occupational Safety Through 3-D Simulation and Immersive Virtual Reality

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of computer simulation and the immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology for occupational risk assessment improvement. It achieves this by conducting a risk assessment on a 3-D simulation of a Lithium-Ion battery (LIB) manufacturing factory. This is necessary since calls for the enhancement of occupational risk assessments continue to dominate safety improvement measures in manufacturing context. Meanwhile, industries such as aviation, mining and healthcare employ advanced versions of IVR for risks awareness with successes. However, applications for safety in manufacturing context is only at the infancy although it utilizes IVR profitably for product and production optimization issues. The study involved 19 participants who performed the assessment with the aid of a safety checklist followed by open-ended semi-structured questions and interviews. Results indicates an outstanding utilization capability of IVR for risk assessment. Furthermore, the assessment pinpoints specific safety issues in the factory that requires attention and improvement.

Simulation-based assessments of fire emergency preparedness and response in virtual reality

“…• evacuation drills do not have to be a boring repetition of annual lectures [6,27]; • transfer of tacit safety knowledge can be a major challenge [6];…”

“…IVR and computer simulations are also useful in determining accessibility of facilities during emergencies [19], as well as for improving user ergonomics [8]. For this reason, the technology enables participants to identify hazardous situations while implementing appropriate safety countermeasures during chaotic real-life situations [6,31], thereby making it suitable for providing experiential encounter for skill enhancement [3,12]. Evidence also suggests that IVR simulations are engaging and interesting; as a result, applications provide participatory, pedagogical and behavioural learning outcomes that promote cognitive learning [10,22,23].…”

“…Evidence also implies that the absence of safety training (ST), inadequate ST or a lack of relevant EPR contributes to increasing industrial injuries and fatalities during emergencies [2,4]. This notwithstanding, exposing workers to hazardous situations in live sections can be dangerous and too costly [6]. Consequently, the status quo of EPR logically, but rarely, involves practice by doing.…”