With the goal of reducing injuries and fatalities related to haul truck accidents, this research investigates technologies and intervention strategies for improving worker training using a virtual environment (VE). Funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this research specifically focuses on training workers in preshift inspections of haul trucks to avoid preventable defects from causing worker injuries and expensive equipment damage. Improved training in these inspections is expected to increase uptime._x000D_
The VE developed to train workers for preshift inspections consists of three phases: the virtual tour, the virtual inspection and the shift simulation._x000D_
The virtual tour introduces information necessary to conduct a preshift inspection by guiding the worker around a haul truck, identifying parts to be inspected and explaining defects to look for. The virtual inspection assesses retention as the worker navigates around a haul truck and identifies defects._x000D_
During the shift simulation, the worker is shown a simulation of the work shift, which animates severe consequences of any overlooked defects to emphasise the importance of preshift inspections._x000D_
To provide multiple training platforms, desktop and CAVE versions of the training VE were created. Flux Studio was used to model the environment and to produce Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) files for the desktop version._x000D_
DIVERSE, an application programming interface, was then used to implement a more realistic version of the VE in a CAVE, a room-sized visualisation system._x000D_
Initial feedback from mining colleagues indicates that the training VE may replace normal classroom training for preshift inspections in the future. As opposed to PowerPoint presentations and instructional videos, the training VE provides better spatial understanding of the location of parts and incorporates interactive features to actively engage drivers in the learning process, which may result in better retention. Initial feedback also indicates that minor improvements can be made to the virtual tour and virtual inspection phases._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:McMahan, R P, Bowman, D A, Schafrik, S and Karmis, M, 2008._x000D_
Virtual environment training for preshift inspections of haul trucks to improve mining safety, in Proceedings First International Future Mining Conference and Exhibition 2008, pp 167-174 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).