1
25-072
Pre-Implementation Evaluation of VR as a Mine Safety
Training Tool
Jennica L. Bellanca
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Cassandra L. Hoebbel
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
ABSTRACT
High-fidelity, immersive training is known for its learning
and logistical benefits. While other industries have used vir-
tual reality (VR) for decades, the same uptake has not been
seen in mining. NIOSH recently developed an adaptable,
scalable VR training platform, VR Mine Rescue Training
(VR-MRT), which has attracted significant industry inter-
est. NIOSH is using VR-MRT to understand the barriers
to adoption and implementation of VR. As a part of a larger
effort to assess the effectiveness and implementation of
VR-MRT, researchers have conducted pre-implementation
interviews. In this paper, the authors use feedback from
individuals at various implementation levels to assess the
acceptability and appropriateness of VR-MRT and identify
potential implementation barriers for VR more generally.
Researchers also describe ongoing efforts to overcome these
barriers as NIOSH works to position VR-MRT as a supple-
mental resource more generally for mine safety training.
Keywords: Virtual Reality, Training, Mine Rescue,
Implementation Science
DISCLAIMER
The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the official posi-
tion of the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mention of any company name or product does not consti-
tute endorsement by NIOSH, CDC.
BACKGROUND
Mine Rescue Training
Emergency preparedness is crucial in the mining industry,
especially for underground mine rescue teams. These teams
perform high-risk tasks in hazardous and rapidly chang-
ing environments, often requiring coordinated actions to
be taken quickly and accurately. However, a recent sur-
vey found that more than 21%—more than one in every
five—of mine rescue team members do not feel adequately
prepared (i.e., 80% or more) to respond in the event of
a mine emergency [1]. Furthermore, the mining industry
has only minimally invested in new training content and
delivery [2]. Moreover, many teams only receive minimal
training—only 96 hours annually—in compliance with
U.S. federal regulations (30 CFR 49.18). Unfortunately,
this training often lacks realism. As a part of this required
training, underground coal mine rescue teams must partici-
pate in at least two contests annually. These competitions
have traditionally been in the form of low-fidelity com-
petitive drills in above-ground facilities or open fields. The
rules and scenarios used in these competitions also often
incorporate unrealistic aspects (e.g., no gas leakage). While
these features allow the competitions to be more accessi-
ble and cover more possible hazards, they lack the context
and realism that has been shown to improve training [3].
Other traditional training methods, such as full-scale Mine
Emergency Response Drills (MERDs) are more immersive,
but are expensive and resource-intensive, limiting their
25-072
Pre-Implementation Evaluation of VR as a Mine Safety
Training Tool
Jennica L. Bellanca
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Cassandra L. Hoebbel
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
ABSTRACT
High-fidelity, immersive training is known for its learning
and logistical benefits. While other industries have used vir-
tual reality (VR) for decades, the same uptake has not been
seen in mining. NIOSH recently developed an adaptable,
scalable VR training platform, VR Mine Rescue Training
(VR-MRT), which has attracted significant industry inter-
est. NIOSH is using VR-MRT to understand the barriers
to adoption and implementation of VR. As a part of a larger
effort to assess the effectiveness and implementation of
VR-MRT, researchers have conducted pre-implementation
interviews. In this paper, the authors use feedback from
individuals at various implementation levels to assess the
acceptability and appropriateness of VR-MRT and identify
potential implementation barriers for VR more generally.
Researchers also describe ongoing efforts to overcome these
barriers as NIOSH works to position VR-MRT as a supple-
mental resource more generally for mine safety training.
Keywords: Virtual Reality, Training, Mine Rescue,
Implementation Science
DISCLAIMER
The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the official posi-
tion of the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mention of any company name or product does not consti-
tute endorsement by NIOSH, CDC.
BACKGROUND
Mine Rescue Training
Emergency preparedness is crucial in the mining industry,
especially for underground mine rescue teams. These teams
perform high-risk tasks in hazardous and rapidly chang-
ing environments, often requiring coordinated actions to
be taken quickly and accurately. However, a recent sur-
vey found that more than 21%—more than one in every
five—of mine rescue team members do not feel adequately
prepared (i.e., 80% or more) to respond in the event of
a mine emergency [1]. Furthermore, the mining industry
has only minimally invested in new training content and
delivery [2]. Moreover, many teams only receive minimal
training—only 96 hours annually—in compliance with
U.S. federal regulations (30 CFR 49.18). Unfortunately,
this training often lacks realism. As a part of this required
training, underground coal mine rescue teams must partici-
pate in at least two contests annually. These competitions
have traditionally been in the form of low-fidelity com-
petitive drills in above-ground facilities or open fields. The
rules and scenarios used in these competitions also often
incorporate unrealistic aspects (e.g., no gas leakage). While
these features allow the competitions to be more accessi-
ble and cover more possible hazards, they lack the context
and realism that has been shown to improve training [3].
Other traditional training methods, such as full-scale Mine
Emergency Response Drills (MERDs) are more immersive,
but are expensive and resource-intensive, limiting their