Avoiding "metal astray": experience evaluation of virtual reality training for melting furnace operators.

Abstract

The work of melting furnace operators is potentially hazardous and serious accidents do occur. Training on the monitoring and safe operation of furnaces is key to the safety of the operators and their surroundings. Virtual Reality (VR) environments can simulate safety critical work environments and provide realistic, safe and engaging ways to train on situations otherwise unavailable. To address the potential of using VR in safety training, the VR environment called VR Safe was developed. This paper presents a study of the user experience of training safety critical procedures in VR. VR Safe simulates malfunction in one of the most important systems regarding safe operation of furnaces: furnace cooling system monitoring and how to respond to cooling system failure. The evaluation included professional furnace operators, and was focused on usability of the system, user engagement and the training value as it relates to the operators' work.