How AI could alter EHS training forever

‍

Virtual reality (VR) is commonly used for EHS training by companies with considerable training budgets. However, VR has yet to be widely used due to the high expense and experience constraints. Combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) with VR can overcome some of these limits.

In today's workplaces, people must constantly renew their skills and knowledge. Equipment is updated, processes evolve, and legal, social, and economic requirements change priorities. This article will explore how AI workplace safety software like Protex AI revolutionizes the EHS training landscape.

‍

E-learning vs. traditional safety training programs

Traditional one-off training courses need to catch up in today's dynamic workplaces. E-learning has stepped in to fill the gap, offering quick, accessible courses on new hazards and requirements. However, it struggles to adapt to fast-changing workplace conditions and needs. Consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of E-Learning in Workplace Safety

• Rapid deployment of courses allows companies to address new safety concerns.
• Flexibility to update and modify course content in real-time ensures that the training material is always current and relevant.
• Accessible to employees across various locations, enhancing inclusivity. Remote workers or those in different branches can easily access the same training resources.
• Scalable to accommodate growing workforce sizes. As your company expands, the e-learning system can quickly adapt without requiring significant resource investment.
• Allows for tracking and analytics to measure effectiveness. Companies can use data to refine and improve future training programs.
• Supports multimedia content for varied learning styles. Whether you're a visual learner or prefer text, e-learning has options.
• Can integrate with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS), making it easier for companies to implement e-learning without disrupting existing training infrastructures.

For a deeper understanding, check out our guide on how technology is helping improve safety culture in the workplace.

Challenges Faced by Conventional E-Learning

• Keeping pace with rapid changes in workplace environments can result in outdated information that may not apply to current conditions.
• Limited in its ability to teach adaptive problem-solving skills. Traditional e-learning often lacks interactive scenarios that simulate real-world challenges.
• E-learning may need more depth in covering complex safety protocols and regulations. This lack of depth could leave employees underprepared for specific, high-risk situations.
• Requires a level of digital literacy that some employees may lack. Not everyone is comfortable navigating online courses, which can hinder practical training.
• Potential for reduced engagement compared to hands-on training. The lack of a physical instructor can make the activity less interactive and engaging.
• Conventional e-learning isn't tailored to specific industries or job roles. Generic courses may not cover the unique risks and protocols of specialized functions.
• Risk of becoming outdated if not regularly updated. The training material can become obsolete without consistent updates, reducing its effectiveness.

‍

Virtual reality (VR) in EHS is more than a trend

Forward-thinking organizations with significant training budgets have experimented with virtual reality (VR) for EHS training and awareness. For example, the Port of London Authority used VR to enhance induction training.

‍

Overcoming the cost and limitations of VR in EHS

Learners made decisions during the experience, which changed what happened next, leaving them with a better understanding of the impact of their choices. However, VR is not yet widespread, partly because of the cost of producing suitable learning materials and partly because of the limitations of the experience.

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) with VR can overcome some of these limitations, making better VR more cost-effective to produce and more realistic to use.

Protex AI collaborates with logistics and supply chain professionals to enhance workplace safety. Explore our comprehensive solutions tailored to the logistics & supply-chain industry.

‍

Challenges and limitations in creating immersive VR Scenarios

With regular VR, every route through a scenario must be considered, defined, and filmed using 360° cameras with real people and places or animated by graphic designers. The VR can only let you experience the scenes that have been filmed or animated. 

As a user, it is frustrating to be stuck in a VR scenario that won't let you continue until you make the selection the designer expected. One benefit of VR should be to let people make the wrong decision to find out (safely) what would happen or to see if there is an alternative solution. 

Airline pilots have been able to do this for decades using flight simulators. However, such solutions are disproportionately expensive for most industries.

‍

AI and VR: A powerful tool for EHS training

According to this PDF report by Stanford University, the synergy of AI and VR is transforming EHS training. Machine learning algorithms enable real-time adaptability, allowing the VR environment to evolve based on the trainee's actions. 

This eliminates the need for human animators to create new scenarios, as AI can generate realistic and dynamic training environments on the fly. Curious to learn more? See our guide on behavioral safety culture in the workplace.

‍

Key enhancements brought by AI in VR Training:

• Machine learning algorithms allow the VR environment to adapt based on the trainee's actions in real-time, providing a more dynamic learning experience.
• AI reduces the need for human animators and actors, making producing high-quality VR training materials more cost-effective.
• AI can generate realistic scenarios based on how people move, how equipment behaves, and what objects look like from any angle, making the training more immersive.
• AI can create new routes or scenarios in the training module when learners respond in ways designers hadn't anticipated, adding an extra layer of realism and adaptability.
• Unlike traditional VR, which often relies on gaming technology, AI can simulate more accurate physics. For example, many VR firefighting and evacuation scenarios show fires growing too slowly or smoke behaving too uniformly. AI corrects these inaccuracies, offering a more realistic training experience.

‍

Computer vision for realistic workplace environments 

Computer Vision (CV), a specialized branch of AI, is playing an increasingly pivotal role in enhancing the realism of EHS training modules. CV algorithms can create more lifelike VR scenarios by analyzing real-world behaviors and environments.

This goes beyond mere visual fidelity - it extends to accurately modeling people, equipment, and potential hazards. The result is a training experience that looks real and behaves realistically, providing trainees with invaluable insights into the complexities of workplace safety.

Discover more about these innovations in our dedicated retail & warehousing EHS solutions page.

Making EHS training programs more immersive

Some early attempts at using VR for EHS training have resorted to using pull-down text menus overlaid on images to give users choices. Learners have to manipulate hand-held controllers to select options in the menu. The appearance of text and the need to remember which button points and which selects spoil the immersive experience.

‍

Real-time feedback and voice-controlled VR experiences

Advances in Computer Vision (CV) are already allowing learners to get rid of the controllers and use their hands more naturally to control the experience, something which is likely to accelerate in the next year or two.

Natural language processing and speech recognition is an area of AI that has been promised for decades, but only now is the processing power becoming available that will allow learners to direct the VR experience using voice. 

‍

Soft skills in EHS: Beyond compliance and regulations

"Chatbot" style AI will allow the VR characters to talk back so that learners can have realistic conversations with characters in virtual reality (VR). 

This will make VR an excellent tool for teaching the non-technical skills necessary in EHS – such as having favorable safety conversations, explaining safety rules, and having problem-solving exchanges.

‍

The Limitations of Traditional VR in EHS Training

Although VR has proven to be a valuable asset in EHS training, its adoption could be improved by two main factors: the high cost of production and its inherent limitations. Traditional VR experiences can be expensive and may offer little flexibility to adapt to various training scenarios. 

‍

Cost-Effective VR Creation Through AI

One of the most promising developments in this space is the integration of AI with VR. Specifically, AI technologies like computer vision are making it more cost-effective to produce high-quality VR experiences. This lowers the financial entry barrier and allows more organizations to implement advanced training programs.

‍Protex AI is at the forefront of these innovations, leveraging AI to make EHS training effective and affordable.

‍

Enhancing Realism and Impact in EHS Training

AI doesn't just cut costs - it also enhances the realism and impact of VR training modules. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, VR environments can now adapt to the trainee's actions in real-time, offering a more immersive and educational experience. 

This technology is not just for show - it has practical applications, such as preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.

‍

Common FAQs in AI and EHS Training

As we navigate the transformative impact of AI on EHS training, several questions arise. These questions are not just academic ponderings but are critical to understanding how organizations can leverage AI to create safer, more efficient workplaces.

 Below, we delve into some of the most pressing questions that EHS professionals and organizational leaders are asking.

‍

How does AI improve workplace safety in EHS?

AI's role in enhancing workplace safety is multi-faceted. For starters, machine learning algorithms can sift through vast amounts of safety data to identify potential risks that might go unnoticed by human analysts. 

This proactive approach allows for corrective action to be taken before an incident occurs. Additionally, AI can automate repetitive tasks prone to human error, reducing workplace incident risk. AI also supports real-time monitoring of workplace conditions, sending alerts for any safety hazards, thus enabling immediate action.

One example is retailers, who increasingly embrace AI and VR for EHS training to enhance workplace safety. For more information, visit our industry page on industrial manufacturing.

‍

What is the role of human expertise in AI-driven EHS?

While AI offers incredible capabilities, it's not a replacement for human expertise. Humans bring nuanced understanding and ethical considerations that AI algorithms can't replicate. 

For instance, while AI can identify a pattern of unsafe behavior in a workplace, human expertise is often required to understand the underlying issues contributing to this behavior. 

AI is a powerful tool that can aid EHS professionals in making informed decisions. However, it doesn't eliminate the need for human oversight and ethical considerations.

‍

How does AI contribute to risk prediction in EHS training?

Risk prediction is one of the most promising applications of AI in EHS training. AI algorithms can predict the likelihood of future incidents by analyzing data from various sources, including sensors, cameras, and past incident reports. 

‍

This predictive model allows for implementing preventative measures, reducing the risk of accidents and associated costs. Moreover, AI can simulate various workplace scenarios in training programs, helping employees understand the consequences of their actions in a controlled environment.

Protex's proactive approach to workplace safety

To learn more about how Protex AI is using vision to help EHS safety managers develop a proactive safety culture, chat with one of our product experts here. 

For a deeper understanding of the terms and technologies discussed in this article, feel free to explore our comprehensive EHS Glossary.

‍

‍

‍