2020 #VWEDU: Heavy industry: Big equipment: Operator errors can be costly and dangerous. Simulation offers safe learning. And for teams, too.

Heavy industry: Big equipment: 
Operator errors can be costly and dangerous.  
Simulation offers safe learning.  
And for teams, too.

Training for work in heavy industry.  The equipment is big, expensive and hazardous. You don't want anybody near it without experience.  But how can people get experience?   Simulation,  

• Watch on YouTube

Simulated training environment

• Introduction to a new virtual training environment for Process plants
• Just like being in a refinery or chemical plant.
• Creator's faculty website: Andy Sullivan's Homepage
• at Montana State University Billings.

Contents (by time): 

• 0:00 Simulator overview and advantages 
• 2:23 About the tool creator / how to contact / workforce development
• 2:42 How to become an operator 
• 3:53 Students working as a team to restart furnace 
• Permission was given by students to show their avatars in the video

• Update 8/6/2020 . Opensim Fest 2020 coming August 28-30 STÖMOL is a feature-length sci-fi video done in Second Life®.

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Comments  by Andy Sullivan

Virtual reality offers a solution that gives students realistic practice and understanding of how to execute authentic tasks in the field. Learning curves are shortened, competency is increased, and we can train on scenarios that are seldom encountered in the plant like emergency response.

With a virtual environment that closely models a physical plant, a trainee could be in a position to startup a complex piece of equipment solo on the first day they stepped foot in a plant. VR training offers the potential for rehearsed operator response to infrequent, complex, and hazardous scenarios that is difficult to achieve with other training methods.

We had great success running the furnace in the spring of 2020 remotely due to COVID-19. All 27 students in my class were able to log in. In three groups we practiced starting up the furnace. Students took turns supervising and executing steps on the equipment.

One learning was the value in identifying potential leaders. Some students were comfortable taking a leadership role running the procedure, guiding classmates through the process, and making sure every procedure step was executed with precision. I’m not sure I have ever seen leadership skills differentiate as quickly as I did in this exercise which has value to an employer.

VWER Tour

• VWER=Virtual Worlds Education Roundtable

Benefits of the digital world

• Training on inaccessible equipment.
• Safe training on hazardous equipment.
• All actions required by the training can be recorded and reviewed
• The operating environment can be simulated.
• Situated learning is supported.
• Instructional or informational videos are easily produced.
• The place has an active Professional Learning Network 

Related

• Demonstration oil rig: Conversation with an imaginary TA (Teaching Assistant)
• Signature Safety LLC

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