Risk mitigation at Fonterra

Virtual reality technology is at the heart of a health and safety training solution developed by Fonterra and Beca.

Using VR technology, the solution lets employees navigate Fonterra’s manufacturing and distribution sites without setting foot on-site. While it’s a novelty at first, using VR provides a safer learning environment and enables a strong familiarisation of sites for Fonterra employees. It is anticipated that this solution will substantially reduce onboarding times for Fonterra.

“The opportunities for VR are significant. With this solution, we can replicate the physical environment of our sites, so staff can undertake virtual health and safety training in an extremely immersive and realistic way. That means our people can learn about and identify potential hazards more quickly than ever, encouraging more engaged employees and better workplace safety,” explained Risk Greg Lazzaro, Fonterra director of health and safety, resilience and risk.

Following a successful pilot, the new VR technology will replace a significant portion of the hands-on health and safety training at Fonterra that is often more costly and less effective. Training can be tailored to each of Fonterra’s sites and tested through the completion of modules.

Andrew Cowie, project manager for Beca, says the technology is the future of health and safety training and can be easily replicated in other workplaces and training areas.

Image caption: Employee completes a section of the training module.