Addressing the needs of gaming approach in hazard identification training

Abstract

Construction industry is reportedly the third highest accident occurrence after manufacturing and agriculture. Research have shown that hazard is the major factor that contributes to accident on construction sites. Thus, training on hazard identification is important to construction workers as they need to understand how to identify and act wisely in handling hazards. Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) through government initiatives provide trainings in order to enhance the knowledge on safety among the construction individuals. Currently, trainings are conducted through lectures, hands-on and video demonstration. However, these approaches can only increase the awareness and theoretical knowledge of the trainee which 70% of the training modules cover the theoretical aspects and the rest is the hands-on. Unfortunately, they are not able to practice the theories that they have learnt. Moreover, the cost of training is high and not all levels of construction workers could afford to attend the training. Gaming approach seems to be an approach that could provide more hands-on training. Unlike the above mentioned conventional approach, the gaming approach allows users to experience and practice a real life scenario within a gaming environment. As well as it is an affordable module, this approach offers flexibility to users in term of time and venues. The purpose of this paper is to address the needs of gaming approach to enhance the hazard identification training, by providing an immersive, real experience and affordable approach to training