In the high-stakes world of construction, ensuring the well-being of every worker on-site is paramount. Guided by its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team, PCL Construction continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance safety measures. The latest initiative in this endeavor is the adoption of cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology for safety training. In partnership with technology and software company Pixaera, PCL is providing employees the chance to immerse themselves in realistic simulations, identify potential hazards and practice safe responses within virtual environments. This hands-on approach not only informs but also prepares workers for real-world situations.

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries, with 169,600 recordable cases of injury and illness reported in the United States in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Falls, transportation incidents and exposure to harmful environments are all risks associated with a career in the construction industry. These statistics underscore the necessity for effective safety training programs that not only educate but also engage workers in meaningful ways. Don Blumenthal, HSE manager at PCL’s Minneapolis office, found that traditional training methods weren’t cutting it.

“The way people learn and retain information has changed with modern technology,” says Blumenthal. With studies showing that the average adult attention span has dwindled to 45 seconds – down from two and a half minutes two decades ago – Blumenthal sought a method that could combat information overload and keep workers engaged.

Enter Pixaera VR training, an innovative approach that offers immersive, interactive experiences through video game-style visuals, designed to improve knowledge retention. Through the company’s gamified VR technology, PCL has developed training programs that allow workers to experience scenarios they could potentially face on a project site in a safe, controlled environment.

In one training scenario, for example, the PCL employee would wear Pixaera’s headsets to enter a simulated job site. They may look up and see a worker who wasn’t tied off and in danger of falling. “The first time I went into the immersive training, there was a situation where a guy was falling and I physically reached out to grab him,” says Caleb Browne, a PCL HSE supervisor. “It made me feel like I was actually there.” PCL’s HSE staff can monitor which team members have completed specific trainings and assess their performance on each. This ensures consistent training across all staff and allows HSE to identify and address any gaps in training comprehension.

VR-based learning such as the simulations provided by Pixaera boasts a 75% retention rate, compared to just 5% retained through traditional lecture methods.

“This technology enables workers to learn by doing and failing safely, so when they’re on an actual construction site, they’re prepared,” says Kieran Bowker, Head of Delivery Management at Pixaera.

Key to the success of PCL’s VR initiative was Pixaera’s ability to meet PCL’s unique safety needs. PCL’s safety training focuses on the company’s identified "lifesaving absolutes” – seven critical focus areas where serious injuries or fatalities are most likely to occur.  Pixaera already had training modules aligned with each of these absolutes, making its technology a seamless fit for PCL’s safety standards.  While Pixaera has an extensive background creating safety training for oil and gas companies, PCL is its largest general contracting partner to date, offering an opportunity to increase the scale and impact of the technology. Together, the two companies are pioneering the use of VR technology to elevate safety training in construction.

Throughout the trial period, PCL personnel tested Pixaera’s VR modules and provided feedback to enhance the training experience. “Our collaboration with PCL has been a learning experience for both sides,” says Bowker. “They’ve been discovering how to integrate the technology into their operations, while we’ve been learning about their industry-specific safety priorities and standards.”

To ensure the training felt authentic and relevant, Pixaera customized its modules to include PCL’s branding, making the virtual environments instantly recognizable to employees. Flexibility is another standout feature, as workers can complete training using VR headsets, a laptop, or collaboratively in group settings where one participant uses the headsets while others observe and discuss.

Accessibility and scalability were just as crucial as the content of the training. “We needed a solution that everyone could use – from tech-savvy interns to seasoned veterans,” explains Blumenthal. Additionally, the technology needed to be adaptable for any project type, market or location. “Pixaera delivered exactly what we needed,” Blumenthal adds.

This innovative partnership has not only strengthened PCL’s safety program but also positioned both companies at the forefront of advancing VR technology in the construction industry.

The response from PCL employees has been overwhelmingly positive. “Project leadership has told me they feel more confident that their teams understand safety expectations thanks to this technology,” says Blumenthal. “One superintendent even called it the best safety training program he’d encountered in decades of construction experience.”

For PCL, adopting VR training is about more than embracing the latest and greatest tools – it’s about safeguarding lives. As the initiative continues to roll out, it represents a milestone not just for PCL but for the construction industry as a whole.

“Being able to train our employees in the most accurate and technologically advanced way is incredibly rewarding,” says Blumenthal. “This isn’t just about innovation – it’s about making sure every worker goes home safe. That’s what matters most.”

With VR training now a cornerstone of its safety culture, PCL is not only setting a new standard but paving the way for others.