Drydocks World Dubai VR launch First IOSH-Approved VR Safety Course
Drydocks World Dubai VR launch First IOSH-Approved VR Safety Course
Synopsis
- Drydocks World Dubai launches the world’s first IOSH-approved VR safety training.
- Immersive module covers 11 ship repair and offshore hazards with 95% retention.
- More than 15,000 workers trained using four-language VR simulations.
- IOSH leaders say the programme sets a new global benchmark for digital training.
Estimated reading time: 4 mins
In a report published by Health & Safety International, it is stated that Drydocks World Dubai has developed an immersive virtual reality training programme that has officially become the world’s first IOSH-approved VR safety course, marking a major shift in how high-risk training is carried out across the marine and offshore sector.
According to the publication, the initiative was created to replicate the demanding, hazard-rich conditions of ship repair, construction and offshore operations. The VR module places trainees inside realistic, site-specific scenarios designed to highlight 11 critical hazards commonly encountered in these environments. Delivered as a one-hour learning experience, the programme can be accessed in English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil, enabling teams across diverse, multilingual workforces to participate.
As reported by Health & Safety International, more than 15,000 workers have already completed the course, which has been credited with achieving learning retention rates of up to 95%—a significant leap compared to traditional classroom-based sessions. Drydocks World Dubai’s senior manager for talent development, Mahfoodha Makki, explained that earlier training formats were often seen as repetitive and overly lengthy. She noted that participants engaging with the VR format remained fully involved throughout, leading to stronger understanding, better recall and tangible behavioural improvements.
Feedback collected from employees has reportedly confirmed this shift. As the publication notes, learners are now proactively reminding colleagues about safety requirements after witnessing simulated consequences inside the virtual environment. This behavioural change is cited as a meaningful indicator of the programme’s effectiveness.
Health & Safety International further reports that IOSH chief executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher personally tested the VR course, confirming that it met IOSH’s stringent accreditation standards. She highlighted that the collaboration with Drydocks World Dubai has effectively opened the door to a new global wave of IOSH-approved digital instruction, reshaping how safety education can be delivered and absorbed.
Echoing this sentiment, IOSH senior business development manager Iain Mcintosh described the programme as a breakthrough for both IOSH and the broader global marine sector. He stated that Drydocks World Dubai has demonstrated how immersive learning can make safety training more inclusive and impactful, particularly for regions with highly varied language groups. According to Health & Safety International’s reporting, IOSH views the approval of this VR module as setting a precedent for future digital training standards worldwide.
Drydocks World Dubai has also confirmed that the success of the module will not be confined to safety instruction alone. The company is now preparing to extend immersive training into more technical domains, including Working at Height, MEWP Simulator training and EOT Crane Simulator operations—expanding the scope of VR-based learning across its workforce.
This development, as outlined by Health & Safety International, reflects a broader industry trend toward adopting advanced simulation technologies to enhance workplace safety, improve learning outcomes, and ensure operational consistency in high-risk environments.
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About Drydocks World Dubai
Drydocks World Dubai has emerged as a global leader in maritime engineering, ship repair, and offshore construction, and its latest achievement in virtual reality training underscores its growing influence in the safety and innovation space. The company operates one of the world’s largest shipyards and is known for handling complex vessel conversions, high-value offshore projects, and large-scale marine infrastructure work. Its introduction of the first-ever IOSH-approved VR safety training course demonstrates a strong commitment to modernising workforce development through immersive technology.
By designing realistic, multilingual training modules focused on 11 critical hazards across ship repair and offshore environments, Drydocks World Dubai has trained more than 15,000 workers with retention rates reported as high as 95%. This initiative reflects the company’s broader strategy to integrate advanced digital tools—such as VR simulators for Working at Height, MEWP operations, and crane handling—to strengthen safety culture and technical competency across its operations.
Featured Image Source ICE.org.uk
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