This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Extended Reality (XR), which encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), is transforming various sectors in industry and services and thus shaping developments in occupational safety and health (OSH). The ability for humans to immerse and interact in simulated environments or enhance their real-world surroundings with digital information is affecting how to approach safety training, system design, hazard identification, and accident prevention. The adoption of XR in OSH is not just a technological advancement but a crucial investment in enhancing workers capacity, protecting workers, improving training efficacy, and reducing work-related accidents. In addition, XR techniques serve as tools and extensions to improve safety and health in system design and human-system interaction.
One of the most significant advantages of XR in OSH is the opportunity to create close-to-reality, controllable training environments. VR, for instance, allows employees to experience hazardous situations without real-world risks. One example is the mixed reality simulator for mobile elevating work platforms designed by
In addition to training, XR technologies enhance hazard identification and risk assessment. Augmented reality, which overlays digital information onto the physical world, can assist workers in identifying hazards in real time. For instance,
Another crucial application of XR is in emergency preparedness and response. Workers can be trained through VR simulation scenarios to better handle emergencies, such as fires, equipment malfunctions, or chemical spills. These simulations can mimic real-world conditions, providing workers with the experience of making critical decisions under pressure. This preparedness not only enhances worker confidence but can also reduce response times and minimize the severity of accidents when emergencies occur if interfaces for human-system interaction are designed according to human factors and ergonomics requirements. Additionally, XR applications allow for detailed post-incident analysis, helping organizations refine human-machine interface design, safety protocols and training programs based on simulated outcomes.
XR also improves the accessibility of safety training. Workers from different geographic locations can participate in virtual safety workshops and training sessions without the need to be physically present at a training site. This reduces logistical challenges and makes it easier for organizations to provide consistent, high-quality safety training across all of their locations. Furthermore, adaptability of XR may also refer to that training programs can be tailored to individual workers’ needs, ensuring that every employee receives the most relevant training for their specific job roles and risks.
The concept of the digital twin can also be seen as a MR application. A digital twin is a virtual model or digital replica of a physical object, system, or process, created using real-time data and advanced simulations. It mirrors the characteristics, functions, and performance of its real-world counterpart, allowing for analysis, monitoring, and optimization without directly interacting with the physical entity. Digital twins are commonly used in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities to improve efficiency, predict failures, and optimize operations by providing insights based on simulated real-time data and predictive modelling. This concept enables more informed decision-making and enhances the ability to respond to changes dynamically.
An evaluation of XR technology including ecological validity of XR simulations is crucial for its effectiveness and real-world applicability. Technology evaluation helps assess whether XR tools meet the intended functional goals and usability requirements for human-system interaction, while ensuring tools function reliably and efficiently within specified contexts. Therefore,
In conclusion, XR technologies play an increasingly important role in advancing OSH. By providing immersive, hands-on training, suggesting improvements for redesign of interfaces for human-system interaction, enhancing real-time hazard awareness, and improving emergency preparedness, XR helps create safer work systems and measures for accident prevention to effectively protect workers from harm. As sectors in industries and services continue to adopt XR applications, this should have the potential to overall improvement of OSH and productivity.
FS: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. PN: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. FR: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. AL: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. AG: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing.
The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.
The author(s) declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.