Νέα


23/01/2025

Augmented and virtual reality for remote work: Are they safe for workers?

Image
Woman using a virtual reality headset

© pressmaster - stock.adobe.com

New technologies like virtual (VR), augmented (AR) and extended reality (XR), as well as the metaverse are transforming workplaces by enabling seamless transitions between offline and online work environments. These systems are being used for diverse purposes, including safe training, data visualisation and remote work, across various sectors. However, due to their novelty, their risks to occupational safety and health (OSH) are still not fully understood.

Use of extended reality
Extended reality, which includes virtual and augmented reality, as well as the metaverse, offer innovative ways to interact with digital and physical work environments while bridging physical distances. While VR creates fully immersive digital worlds that workers can explore through headsets, AR overlays virtual information onto the physical world and the metaverse presents interconnected virtual spaces where users can interact in real time.

These technologies are used in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, education and healthcare, allowing teams to collaborate seamlessly regardless of location. Moreover, they present opportunities for improving OSH.

VR is increasingly used in learning and training programmes, allowing workers to engage with simulated and potentially dangerous scenarios in a controlled environment. This enhances safety awareness and skill development, particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction and mining.

But the application of AR and the metaverse in general has now extended beyond training; it includes other uses like the design of workplaces and remote operations (for instance, remote operator assistance).  

AR and the metaverse enable real-time remote collaboration between teams and individual operators, and facilitate remote oversight, which are crucial for maintaining safety during activities like equipment maintenance. By providing immediate remote access to information, AR improves operational efficiency, supports quick decision-making and reduces accidents. 

In mining, AR enables remote monitoring through command-control systems, merging with real-time environmental sensor data to provide safety solutions, particularly during emergencies. XR has been used for remote monitoring and incident response in real time, providing OSH professionals and managers with tools to manage safety and health proactively. For example, virtual replicas of physical workspaces in the metaverse can be used for remote inspections and safety audits, reducing the need for a physical presence in hazardous environments. 

Risks to safety and health
Despite their potential, these technologies pose several risks to workers’ safety and health.

One area of concern involves physical and ergonomic risks. Workers may experience cybersickness, visual strain and musculoskeletal disorders due to the prolonged use of headsets. Immersive virtual environments also increase the risk of falls.

Psychosocial risks are another concern, as an extended use of these technologies can result in technostress, cognitive overload and isolation, issues that are already prevalent among remote workers. Additionally, extended reality’s immersive nature may reduce situational awareness, making it difficult for workers to differentiate between virtual and real-world environments, which can lead to accidents.

There are also ethical and legal concerns, largely related to the unregulated nature of these technologies. Questions arise about worker privacy, the previously mentioned psychosocial effects of continuous monitoring and the collection of personal data. The digital divide, which limits access to technology for certain population groups, may exacerbate inequality among workers. These issues may increase worker anxiety.

Finally, there are practical challenges, including the compatibility of AR and VR systems with personal protective equipment (PPE). Furthermore, the lack of data on the long-term impacts of the use of VR, AR, XR and metaverse in working environments complicates efforts to prevent and manage these risks.

Guidance to implement these technologies safely for workers
Deploying these technologies requires collaboration among all involved stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, technology designers, OSH professionals and workers. These groups must adopt a proactive approach during the design and implementation phases to develop measures that effectively address and anticipate safety and health risks.

Comprehensive risk assessments and emergency response protocols specific to virtual and augmented reality technologies should be established. Clear communication and training for workers on the associated risks and safe use practices are essential. Additionally, devices must be designed with ergonomic considerations to minimise physical strain. Transparency in the collection and use of personal data is critical for safeguarding worker privacy and building trust.

Finally, visual technologies should be developed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of all workers and leave no one behind.