Work at Heights Training: Conventional Approach With and Without Immersive Virtual Reality

NCT ID: NCT06728566

Last Updated: 2025-03-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2026-06-30

Brief Summary

This study focuses on the design and evaluation of an innovative training protocol aimed at working at heights in the construction sector in the city of Cali. The main focus of this protocol lies in the use of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) and the measurement of biosignals to enhance workers' safety and preparedness. The training protocol is developed by creating virtual environments that simulate hazardous working conditions, allowing workers to practice high-risk situations safely and effectively. Additionally, the integration of biosignal measurements, such as heart rate variability and respiratory rate, is used to assess workers' stress levels and decision-making abilities during simulations.

The protocol evaluation is conducted through a pilot study with real workers in the construction field. The results are analyzed to determine whether the use of IVR and biosignal measurement improves assertiveness and, therefore, safety, reduces workplace accidents, and increases workers' confidence in high-risk environments. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of IVR and biosignal measurement as training tools in the construction sector, which could have a significant impact on reducing workplace accidents and injuries. This innovative approach has the potential to enhance occupational safety and workers' preparedness in high-risk environments, thereby contributing to a safer and more efficient working environment in the construction industry.

Detailed Description

Safety in the construction sector is of vital importance, especially in high-risk activities such as excavations and working at heights. To improve worker training and preparation in these areas, this research proposal has been developed.

This project focuses on the use of advanced technology, such as Immersive Virtual Reality, to simulate real work situations and allow workers to practice and acquire the necessary skills to face the challenges of their daily tasks. However, what makes this project particularly interesting is the incorporation of biosignal measurement during training.

Biosignals are physiological indicators that can be measured and analyzed to assess an individual's emotional and physical state. In this context, devices will be used to capture data such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and their variability. These measurements will provide precise information about the worker's reactions to different simulated situations, which will, in turn, help identify areas for improvement and optimize the training protocol.

The main contribution of this project lies in generating new knowledge about how biosignals can be used as a complementary tool in the design and evaluation of training protocols for workers in high-risk activities. The information obtained through biosignal measurement will allow for the identification of patterns and trends that will help better understand workers' physiological and emotional reactions, as well as their performance in critical situations.

This clinical trial compares two training methods for workers at heights, one using Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in addition to the conventional training, and the other using only the conventional training. The main questions to be answered are:

What is the impact of the IVR training protocol on the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills of workers in high-risk activities compared to traditional training?

Is there a relationship between immersive Virtual Reality training and the physiological response to stressful situations in high-risk activities, through the recording of biosignals taken during the intervention?

The researchers will compare the two forms of training and identify if there are differences in both fitness and cardiorespiratory response.

Participants in the control group will perform practical work at heights while heart rate, respiratory monitoring, and ergonomic analysis of the activity will be performed. The participants of the intervention group, in addition to the above, will be exposed to virtual reality environments as part of the training of work at heights, this will be before the actual practical part.

Conditions

Workers at Heights

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Inmersive virtual reality training

Work at heights training with the addition of prior immersive virtual reality training.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Inmersive virtual reality

Intervention Type: DEVICE

In addition to conventional training, IVR training aims to provide a detailed preview of the tasks and procedures required in the standard training with selected virtual scenarios:

Scenario 1: Inspection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

In this scenario, the worker will inspect the equipment to ensure it is in good condition and properly used: Harness, Helmet, Lanyards, Carabiners, Lifelines, Energy Absorbers

Scenario 2: Working on an Elevated Metal Structure:

Structure Ascent: Ascent Method: Use specific ascent systems, ensuring you are always connected to an anchor point.

Positioning on the Structure: Secure Anchorage: Once the working position is reached, secure the anchor to a fixed and reliable point.

Structure Descent: Unanchoring and Reanchoring: Unanchor and re-anchor at secure points as you descend.

Additional Safety Measures: Weather Conditions, signage and delimitation:

Scenario 3: Rescue at Heights: Accessing the Person in Danger, rescue Techniques.

Conventional training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The working at heights training provided by the National Learning Service (SENA) in Colombia includes key steps to ensure safety and proper equipment use:

• Harness Use: Inspect for damage, wear it like a vest, and ensure correct orientation. Adjust shoulder and leg straps for comfort and secure the chest strap.
• Final Check: Verify D-rings are correctly positioned, and all buckles are securely fastened.
• Helmet: Inspect for damage and adjust for a secure fit.
• Lanyards: Select in good condition, connect properly, keep tension, and avoid overloading.
• Carabiners: Use certified carabiners with functioning locks, connected to proper points.
• Lifelines and Energy Absorbers: Install and tension lifelines properly; check energy absorbers before use.
• Climbing/Descending: Maintain three contact points and secure tools to avoid accidents.

Conventional training

Training for work at heights using conventional strategy

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The working at heights training provided by the National Learning Service (SENA) in Colombia includes key steps to ensure safety and proper equipment use:

• Harness Use: Inspect for damage, wear it like a vest, and ensure correct orientation. Adjust shoulder and leg straps for comfort and secure the chest strap.
• Final Check: Verify D-rings are correctly positioned, and all buckles are securely fastened.
• Helmet: Inspect for damage and adjust for a secure fit.
• Lanyards: Select in good condition, connect properly, keep tension, and avoid overloading.
• Carabiners: Use certified carabiners with functioning locks, connected to proper points.
• Lifelines and Energy Absorbers: Install and tension lifelines properly; check energy absorbers before use.
• Climbing/Descending: Maintain three contact points and secure tools to avoid accidents.

Interventions

Inmersive virtual reality

In addition to conventional training, IVR training aims to provide a detailed preview of the tasks and procedures required in the standard training with selected virtual scenarios:

Scenario 1: Inspection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

In this scenario, the worker will inspect the equipment to ensure it is in good condition and properly used: Harness, Helmet, Lanyards, Carabiners, Lifelines, Energy Absorbers

Scenario 2: Working on an Elevated Metal Structure:

Structure Ascent: Ascent Method: Use specific ascent systems, ensuring you are always connected to an anchor point.

Positioning on the Structure: Secure Anchorage: Once the working position is reached, secure the anchor to a fixed and reliable point.

Structure Descent: Unanchoring and Reanchoring: Unanchor and re-anchor at secure points as you descend.

Additional Safety Measures: Weather Conditions, signage and delimitation:

Scenario 3: Rescue at Heights: Accessing the Person in Danger, rescue Techniques.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Conventional training

The working at heights training provided by the National Learning Service (SENA) in Colombia includes key steps to ensure safety and proper equipment use:

• Harness Use: Inspect for damage, wear it like a vest, and ensure correct orientation. Adjust shoulder and leg straps for comfort and secure the chest strap.
• Final Check: Verify D-rings are correctly positioned, and all buckles are securely fastened.
• Helmet: Inspect for damage and adjust for a secure fit.
• Lanyards: Select in good condition, connect properly, keep tension, and avoid overloading.
• Carabiners: Use certified carabiners with functioning locks, connected to proper points.
• Lifelines and Energy Absorbers: Install and tension lifelines properly; check energy absorbers before use.
• Climbing/Descending: Maintain three contact points and secure tools to avoid accidents.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Learners from the National Learning Service (SENA).
• First time taking the work at heights training course.

Exclusion Criteria

• Experience in working at heights.
• Health conditions that prevent performing both the IVR training and work at heights.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Universidad del Valle, Colombia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad Autonoma de Occidente

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Oscar Ivan Campo

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Oscar Campo, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Universidad Autónoma de Occidente

Central Contacts

Diana Guerrero Jaramillo, MsC

Role: CONTACT

guerrero.diana@correounivalle.edu.co

573172603503

Oscar Campo, PhD

Role: CONTACT

oicampo@uao.edu.co

573044140340

References

Abrahamsen EB, Selvik JT, Milazzo MF, Langdalen H, Dahl RE, Bansal S, et al. On the use of the 'Return Of Safety Investments' (ROSI) measure for decision-making in the chemical processing industry. Reliab Eng Syst Saf. 2021 Jun 1;210:107537.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Nnaji C, Okpala I, Gambatese J, Jin Z. Controlling safety and health challenges intrinsic in exoskeleton use in construction. Saf Sci. 2023 Jan 1;157:105943.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Bao L, Tran SVT, Nguyen TL, Pham HC, Lee D, Park C. Cross-platform virtual reality for real-time construction safety training using immersive web and industry foundation classes. Autom Constr. 2022 Nov 1;143:104565.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Zermane A, Mohd Tohir MZ, Baharudin MR, Mohamed Yusoff H. Risk assessment of fatal accidents due to work at heights activities using fault tree analysis: Case study in Malaysia. Saf Sci. 2022 Jul 1;151:105724.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Stefan H, Mortimer M, Horan B, Kenny G. Evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of industrial virtual reality safety training for ozone generator isolation procedure. Saf Sci. 2023 Jul 1;163:106125.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Shakerian S, Habibnezhad M, Ojha A, Lee G, Liu Y, Jebelli H, et al. Assessing occupational risk of heat stress at construction: A worker-centric wearable sensor-based approach. Saf Sci. 2021 Oct 1;142:105395.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Provided Documents

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

UAOccidente

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id