With VR, training is being viewed with a new lens

Having added an entirely new dimension to training, Virtual Reality modules are already making a significant difference at project level. “By being focused, immersive and customized, the impact of these digital solutions on workmen is not only deep but lasting for we want our workforce to imbibe the learning, act on it and influence others to follow suit,” points out Satish Patil, Chief Digital Officer, Larsen & Toubro. “Being able to experience a simulated real-life experience without suffering the pain of physically going through it is a hugely influencing tool and the results are already showing.”

Senior Manager – EHS, TI IC, Vireshkumar Ramesh Navale, could not agree more with Satish for VR & AR (Augmented Reality) modules are making life a whole lot easier for him. “Normally, training used to involve big groups of workmen and we are never sure if they have grasped what we want to convey or whether they understood the importance of our EHS mandates,” he recalls but life has changed. “We are now able to train our workmen individually, ensure that they take in what we are saying in the manner we want them to and even customise the modules to various real-life project site scenarios.” Having tasted initial success, Viresh has been passionately driving the implementation of these modules across several of his transportation infrastructure projects having already introduced it at 38 TI IC projects, conducted 2,000+ modules to train 25,000 workmen.

Overall, the statistics that VR & VR training modules have been rolled out to nearly 475 sites across L&T Construction, that some 50,000+ training sessions have been conducted to train nearly 500,000 workmen bespeak of the success of this digital intervention.

VR training positively influences behaviour

It is a well-accepted fact in EHS circles that creating a safe work culture is all about changing mindsets and behaviour. Most EHS managers who have adopted VR & AR-based training at their sites vouch that it has resulted in a marked improvement in safe behaviour. “These solutions create realistic scenarios in a 3D environment, making it easy for our workmen to visualize the hazards, their effects and correct safety practices at the worksite along with their benefits,” observes T Prabhakar, Head – EHS (Domestic), PT&D IC, who has been another strong proponent of AR & VR training tools having rolled them across 200+ of his sites. “We have conducted nearly 19,000 sessions and trained about a lakh of our workmen,” he shares, delighted with his achievement.

Being part of the situation and experiencing it virtually leaves a lasting impact on the participants. “Earlier, they were mere spectators and lost in a large crowd but now they are individually involved in an immersive environment that is easy for them to experience and internalize,” adds Viresh.

Another EHS Head who has readily embraced VR & AR training modules and is reaping their benefits is K S Sudheesh Kumar of WET IC, who is presently leading on the implementation scale. “We have already introduced these modules including 20+ SoPs based in-house developed training videos dealing with critical activities, learnings and good practices across WET IC sites, conducted over 33,000+ sessions, trained 3,75,000+ workmen involving more than 6,46,700 manhours. The improved EHS culture among staff & workmen and accolades received from stakeholders and interested parties are the testimony of effective utilisation of VR & AR tools.”

Evidently, digital training solutions have become apropos at this moment, just when sites were restarting operations after the pandemic disruptions. While site leadership pushes progress aggressively, EHS Managers had growing concerns not only because haste often makes waste, and in their case LTIs (Loss Time Injury) but, more so, they had to deal with fresh labour with little orientation to construction activities and L&T’s EHS systems and processes. Sudheesh is thankful that the pace of training has accelerated. “Another huge advantage of VR & AR Modules,” he adds, “is that with them we can impart effective training anywhere and anytime.”