With potential health and safety risks facing those working at height, training solutions provider KBC Health & Safety will introduce a virtual reality (VR) component for its training programmes to ensure greater safety measures when working at height.

The VR technology can measure the capabilities of people employed to work at height by testing to see if they have, for example, a fear of height, which KBC will then report to the client.

“We can now better test the workers’ capacity to work at height before they have to physically climb a scaffolding structure. We conduct necessary checks before allowing them to work at sites because, while they may be trained to climb a 3 m scaffold, they may unexpectedly have to climb a 12 m scaffold, so they need to be prepared,” says KBC risk and compliance GM Ruan van Rensburg.

KBC hopes to formally introduce its VR technology for working-at-height training within the next six to twelve months.

Further, Van Rensburg notes that demand for training and skills development in the industry has increased, particularly for the mining and construction industries, owing to a lack of compliance training conducted among workers.

He attributes this to players in the industry not being open to adopting new safety equipment and training methods that continuously enter the market.

Moreover, he notes that some training service providers do not conduct training according to the guidelines set out by governing bodies.

To ensure compliance, KBC has subject-matter experts to conduct training that aligns with the relevant guidelines to avoid critical mistakes and, consequently, protect the company from possible legal ramifications should problems occur on site.

“I do not think people realise the dangers associated with working at height because equipment can fail, people can fall, and people can be injured by falling objects. So it is crucial to implement safety measures on site and prioritise risk assessments before carrying out the work.”

In this regard, KBC offers three different training interventions.

The first is standard training, with theoretical and practical components to teach trainees how to climb scaffolding and how to put on harnesses. They also experience wearing a harness when suspended at height.

For the second training intervention, KBC provides technical rescue at height training using the appropriate training equipment, such as lifelines, to handle emergency situations when working on site.

The third mode of training is fall protection planner; this course assesses a worksite for work at height as well as the preparation of a fall protection plan.

Van Rensburg says KBC is equipped to conduct training at its facilities in Richards Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal; eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga; Sasolburg, in the Free State; and Rustenburg; in the North West. KBC is also able to conduct this specific training onsite at a client premises if the need arises.

The company has constructed multiple scaffolding structures, with the necessary equipment to provide training.

Once training is complete, trainees receive a certificate of completion, while their portfolios are handed to governing bodies for external moderation.