12
scenario-based training offered by VR-MRT in addition to
their current training. Similarly, trainers and organizational
employees recognized the relative advantage, trialability,
and adaptability of the platform.
However, participants also identified barriers to suc-
cessful implementation of VR mine safety training more
generally. Industry level potential barriers (i.e., Outer
Domain) included uncertainty whether and how VR train-
ing can be used for compliance, the need for industry part-
nerships and support, and a need for additional funding.
On the organizational level potential barriers related to
work structures, specifically IT support, prioritization of
VR training over other initiatives, and ensuring personnel
with the right training were available. Lastly, on the indi-
vidual level, potential barriers were alignment of expecta-
tions, individual buy-in, resistance to technology, and a
lack of action. These barriers reaffirmed the need for sys-
tematic change management strategies. More generally,
the results underscore the need for additional implementa-
tion research to confirm the effectiveness and develop the
support materials necessary to empower organizations to
implement VR training.
At the conclusion of this effort, NIOSH plans to pack-
age the VR-MRT platform for public release. The success-
ful implementation of VR-MRT could not only improve
mine rescue training but also set a precedent for the broader
adoption of VR to create dynamic, immersive, and engag-
ing training across a wide range of mine safety and health
topics.
REFERENCES
[1] Bellanca, Jennica L., Timothy J. Orr, William
Helfrich, Brendan Macdonald, Jason Navoyski,
Brendan Demich, Jessie J. Mechling, Cassandra
Hoebbel, Paul E. Schmidt, and Linda L. Chasko
(2023), “Usability of Collaborative ‘VR Mine Rescue
Training’ Platform”’, in Application of Computers and
Operations Research in the Mineral Industry (APCOM),
Rapid City, SD.
[2] Deuel, Jake, Jon Salton, Clint Hobart, Justin
Garretson, and Diane Callow (2018), “Mine Rescue
Robotics: Gemini-Scout – 18507,” U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information.
[3] Kowalski-Trakofler, Kathleen M., and Edward A.
Barrett (2003), “The Concept of Degraded Images
Applied to Hazard Recognition Training in Mining
for Reduction of Lost-Time Injuries,” Journal of Safety
Research, 34(5), pp. 515–525.
[4] Salas, Eduardo, and Janis A. Cannon-Bowers (2001),
“The Science of Training: A Decade of Progress,”
Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), pp. 471–499.
[5] Burke, Lisa A., and Holly M. Hutchins (2007),
“Training Transfer: An Integrative Literature
Review,” Human Resource Development Review, 6(3),
pp. 263–296.
[6] Wilkins, James R (2011), “Construction Workers’
Perceptions of Health and Safety Training
Programmes,” Construction Management and
Economics, 29(10), pp. 1017–1026.
[7] Farra, Sharon, Elaine Miller, Nathan Timm, and John
Schafer (2013), “Improved Training for Disasters
using 3-D Virtual Reality Simulation,” Western
Journal of Nursing Research 35(5): 655–671.
[8] Allcoat, Devon, and Adrian von Mühlenen (2018),
“Learning in Virtual Reality: Effects on Performance,
Emotion and Engagement,” Research in Learning
Technology, 26. https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt
.v26.2140.
[9] Pucher, Philip H., Nicola Batrick, Dave Taylor,
Muzzafer Chaudery, Daniel Cohen, and Ara Darzi
(2014), “Virtual-world Hospital Simulation for Real-
World Disaster Response: Design and Validation of a
Virtual Reality Simulator for Mass Casualty Incident
Management,” Journal of Trauma and Acute Care
Surgery, 77(2), pp. 315–321.
[10] Burdea, Grigore C., and Philippe Coiffet (2024),
“Virtual Reality Technology,” John Wiley &Sons.
[11] Schofield, Damian, B. Denby, and D. McClarnon
(1995), “Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality in
the Mining Industry,” in International Journal of Rock
Mechanics and Mining Sciences and Geomechanics
Abstracts, 4(32), p. 167A.
[12] Denby, B., Damian Schofield (1999), Role of Virtual
Reality in Safety Training of Mine Personnel. Mining
Engineering, (51), pp. 59–64.
[13] Filigenzi, Marc T., Timothy J. Orr, and Todd M. Ruff
(2000), “Virtual Reality for Mine Safety Training,”
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,
15(6), pp. 65–469.
[14] Van Wyk, Etienne, and Ruth De Villiers (2009),
“Virtual Reality Training Applications for the
Mining Industry,” Proceedings of the 6th International
Conference on Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality,
Visualization, and Interaction in Africa, pp. 53–63.
[15] Van Wyk, Etienne, and Ruth De Villiers (2019),
“An Evaluation Framework for Virtual Reality Safety
Training Systems in the South African Mining
scenario-based training offered by VR-MRT in addition to
their current training. Similarly, trainers and organizational
employees recognized the relative advantage, trialability,
and adaptability of the platform.
However, participants also identified barriers to suc-
cessful implementation of VR mine safety training more
generally. Industry level potential barriers (i.e., Outer
Domain) included uncertainty whether and how VR train-
ing can be used for compliance, the need for industry part-
nerships and support, and a need for additional funding.
On the organizational level potential barriers related to
work structures, specifically IT support, prioritization of
VR training over other initiatives, and ensuring personnel
with the right training were available. Lastly, on the indi-
vidual level, potential barriers were alignment of expecta-
tions, individual buy-in, resistance to technology, and a
lack of action. These barriers reaffirmed the need for sys-
tematic change management strategies. More generally,
the results underscore the need for additional implementa-
tion research to confirm the effectiveness and develop the
support materials necessary to empower organizations to
implement VR training.
At the conclusion of this effort, NIOSH plans to pack-
age the VR-MRT platform for public release. The success-
ful implementation of VR-MRT could not only improve
mine rescue training but also set a precedent for the broader
adoption of VR to create dynamic, immersive, and engag-
ing training across a wide range of mine safety and health
topics.
REFERENCES
[1] Bellanca, Jennica L., Timothy J. Orr, William
Helfrich, Brendan Macdonald, Jason Navoyski,
Brendan Demich, Jessie J. Mechling, Cassandra
Hoebbel, Paul E. Schmidt, and Linda L. Chasko
(2023), “Usability of Collaborative ‘VR Mine Rescue
Training’ Platform”’, in Application of Computers and
Operations Research in the Mineral Industry (APCOM),
Rapid City, SD.
[2] Deuel, Jake, Jon Salton, Clint Hobart, Justin
Garretson, and Diane Callow (2018), “Mine Rescue
Robotics: Gemini-Scout – 18507,” U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information.
[3] Kowalski-Trakofler, Kathleen M., and Edward A.
Barrett (2003), “The Concept of Degraded Images
Applied to Hazard Recognition Training in Mining
for Reduction of Lost-Time Injuries,” Journal of Safety
Research, 34(5), pp. 515–525.
[4] Salas, Eduardo, and Janis A. Cannon-Bowers (2001),
“The Science of Training: A Decade of Progress,”
Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), pp. 471–499.
[5] Burke, Lisa A., and Holly M. Hutchins (2007),
“Training Transfer: An Integrative Literature
Review,” Human Resource Development Review, 6(3),
pp. 263–296.
[6] Wilkins, James R (2011), “Construction Workers’
Perceptions of Health and Safety Training
Programmes,” Construction Management and
Economics, 29(10), pp. 1017–1026.
[7] Farra, Sharon, Elaine Miller, Nathan Timm, and John
Schafer (2013), “Improved Training for Disasters
using 3-D Virtual Reality Simulation,” Western
Journal of Nursing Research 35(5): 655–671.
[8] Allcoat, Devon, and Adrian von Mühlenen (2018),
“Learning in Virtual Reality: Effects on Performance,
Emotion and Engagement,” Research in Learning
Technology, 26. https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt
.v26.2140.
[9] Pucher, Philip H., Nicola Batrick, Dave Taylor,
Muzzafer Chaudery, Daniel Cohen, and Ara Darzi
(2014), “Virtual-world Hospital Simulation for Real-
World Disaster Response: Design and Validation of a
Virtual Reality Simulator for Mass Casualty Incident
Management,” Journal of Trauma and Acute Care
Surgery, 77(2), pp. 315–321.
[10] Burdea, Grigore C., and Philippe Coiffet (2024),
“Virtual Reality Technology,” John Wiley &Sons.
[11] Schofield, Damian, B. Denby, and D. McClarnon
(1995), “Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality in
the Mining Industry,” in International Journal of Rock
Mechanics and Mining Sciences and Geomechanics
Abstracts, 4(32), p. 167A.
[12] Denby, B., Damian Schofield (1999), Role of Virtual
Reality in Safety Training of Mine Personnel. Mining
Engineering, (51), pp. 59–64.
[13] Filigenzi, Marc T., Timothy J. Orr, and Todd M. Ruff
(2000), “Virtual Reality for Mine Safety Training,”
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,
15(6), pp. 65–469.
[14] Van Wyk, Etienne, and Ruth De Villiers (2009),
“Virtual Reality Training Applications for the
Mining Industry,” Proceedings of the 6th International
Conference on Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality,
Visualization, and Interaction in Africa, pp. 53–63.
[15] Van Wyk, Etienne, and Ruth De Villiers (2019),
“An Evaluation Framework for Virtual Reality Safety
Training Systems in the South African Mining