Implenia relies on VR technology for accident prevention
The working environment on construction sites is complex and constantly changing – a challenge when it comes to safety. Accident prevention is therefore particularly important, and innovative solutions are needed. This is exactly where the Swiss Safety VR project comes in, which was developed in collaboration between the Swiss accident insurance company Suva and the technology company BearingPoint. As a consulting partner, Implenia helped tailor the solution to the needs and requirements of the construction site environment.
‘Swiss Safety VR provides us with a new tool that is more than just theoretical training,’ explains Rolf Riser, Global Safety Specialist at Implenia. ‘Virtual reality technology allows us to show our employees in a completely new way how accidents happen and how they can be actively prevented – a direct, tangible experience that has a lasting effect.’
Beam yourself over quickly or assess the dangers first? With the VR app, risks can be experienced realistically but without the risk of accidents.
‘The learning effect of VR experiences is proven to be significantly higher than that of traditional training methods,’ emphasises Rolf Riser. 'In psychology, this is known as the “hot plate effect”: burning your finger once ensures a lasting memory. In virtual reality, employees are immersed directly in the situation and have to carry out specified tasks. This intensifies the learning process and raises awareness of safety risks – without any lost working days.‘
Available as an app since April: the new virtual reality safety training programme
‘Our foremen and site managers are the first to benefit from this new offering. They bear a great deal of responsibility and need to be able to react quickly to hazards,’ says Rolf Riser. ‘With VR technology, we want to give them a new tool that raises their awareness of occupational safety.’
In addition to direct accident prevention, the Swiss Safety VR app will also help to raise general safety awareness. ‘We want safety on construction sites to be seen not just as a duty, but as a genuine responsibility,’ concludes Rolf Riser. ‘With the support of VR technology, this responsibility becomes tangible – and that is an important step towards improving the safety culture on our construction sites in the long term.’
Rolf Riser is delighted that VR glasses provide a new, innovative tool for accident prevention.
