Workplace safety - Why VR is the key to effective manual handling

Manual handling injuries are a costly issue across industries like retail, healthcare, and manufacturing. For years, traditional training methods—whether classroom-based or online—have been the go-to for teaching manual handling techniques. However, these approaches are no longer delivering the desired results.

Despite best efforts, traditional training methods often fail to engage employees or drive long-term behaviour change. The outcome? High injury rates, increased absenteeism, and rising costs due to worker compensation claims.

The main limitations of traditional manual handling training

1. Lack of real-world application: The environment of a classroom doesn’t adequately simulate the pressures and variables of a real job site, leading to a gap between what’s learned and what’s practiced.
2. Compliance-driven rather than behaviour-driven: Many traditional training programmes are designed to tick compliance boxes rather than genuinely change behaviours. This can result in a “set and forget” mentality where employees don’t fully engage with the content, leading to limited impact on their day-to-day activities.

How VR takes training to the next level?

VR manual handling training, like our new First Move VR programme developed in partnership with Provention, goes beyond theory by immersing employees in realistic scenarios where they can practise and perfect their manual handling techniques. With VR, training becomes more dynamic, allowing employees to make the leap from knowledge to action.

Here’s how VR creates a more impactful learning experience:

1. Immersive, hands-on learning: VR provides a practical, interactive environment where employees can actively and safely practise movements such as lifting and twisting. This "learning by doing" approach helps employees retain the correct techniques for safe manual handling and reduces the risk of injury.

2. Scalable and consistent: One of the biggest challenges with traditional training is ensuring that every employee, across multiple locations, receives the same high-quality training. VR addresses this issue by offering consistent, repeatable training, no matter where your employees are based.

3. Engaging and effective: By immersing employees in an engaging virtual environment, VR boosts both learning retention and engagement. Employees feel more connected to the training, as they actively participate in solving real-world problems rather than passively absorbing information. This results in improved performance and greater confidence in applying manual handling techniques.

4. Flexible and On-Demand: Traditional training often requires extensive coordination to schedule workshops or sessions, especially in businesses with shift-based or geographically dispersed teams. VR, on the other hand, offers on-demand training that can be accessed when and where it’s needed. Employees can train at their own pace, making it easier to fit into busy work schedules without disrupting operations.

The long-term benefits of VR manual handling training

As more businesses prioritise employee wellbeing, safety, and operational efficiency, VR training is emerging as a key tool for creating safer, more productive workplaces.

1. Reduced injury rates: VR-trained employees are better equipped to handle real-world challenges, leading to a significant reduction in workplace injuries and associated costs.
2. Improved ROI: By reducing training costs and minimizing injury-related expenses, VR delivers a higher return on investment over time.
3. Stronger safety culture: The immersive nature of VR helps embed safe manual handling practices into daily routines, contributing to a stronger overall safety culture.

Curious about how VR manual handling training can benefit your organisation? Book a demo of First Move VR today and experience the future of workplace training.