The Need

OSHA ranks falls as being one of constructions’ “Focus Four”, as falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry, accounting for around one-third of construction fatalities each year. The Center for Construction Research and Training calculated 6,858 deaths due to falls between 1992 to 2010, which equates to around 360 deaths annually. Safety on the construction site is of utmost importance, yet current safety training methods mostly rely on written tests and simple electronic tests. There are not many ways of actually demonstrating to the learner the type of potentially hazardous scenarios that they may encounter while they are working. A software tool that visualizes and simulates real-world fall scenarios would offer the training necessary to teach safety procedures, and in turn, also mitigate fall-related accidents during construction.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University from the College of Engineering have created the Interactive Safety Training Tool. The tool provides an accompanying method of training for both professionals and practitioners in the construction industry. Currently, the main focus of the tool is on OSHA safety protocols that govern "holes in floors". The tool functions as an educational video game. Rather than watching safety prevention procedures be implemented through a video, the user virtually performs the task at hand. As the user navigates the game, he or she interacts with certain elements and answer questions that produce a final score. The user gets two attempts to answer each question, where in the second attempt the choices are in a new order to prevent memorization or guessing, and the attempt is weighted less than the first. A total score of greater than or equal to 70% results in a passing score, reflecting the passing requirement for the OSHA 10-Hour/OSHA 30-Hour tests. The Interactive Safety Training Tool leads individuals toward a successful and safe construction environment, while providing immersion that engages individuals to make the training experience both more enjoyable and more memorable.

Commercial Applications

• Hole prevention safety regulation training in the construction industry

• May be adapted for more nuanced training for specific job types, or other OSHA topics in safety regulation training

Benefits/Advantages

• Immersion and simulation

• Interactivity

• Simplistic controls for users with any level of technology experience

• Reduced anxiety compared to written tests

• Larger impact on the user, with improved memory retention and recall

• Demonstrates a sense of the real-life work environment