Design and Modelling of Virtual Reality Application for Prevention of Mining Accidents and Basic Ohs Training: Case Study in Türkiye
International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, vol.42, no.2, pp.909-924, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 42 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2516641
- Journal Name: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ABI/INFORM, Applied Science & Technology Source, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.909-924
- Keywords: mining accident, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Virtual reality
- Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the academic success of mine workers in occupational health and safety training by designing virtual reality (VR) interactive teaching material on “personal protective equipment and fire fighting” for underground mine workers. The research was applied to the personnel working in Ömerler Underground Mine, affiliated with the Garp Lignite Operations Directorate of the Turkish Coal Enterprises. The study sample consisted of 40 underground mine workers, 20 in the control and 20 in the experimental group. The subjects of personal protective equipment and underground firefighting training were explained to the control group by Occupational Health and Safety experts using “Explanatory Teaching Methods,” one of the traditional teaching methods, via slides. The miners in the experimental group were provided with the VR-based interactive teaching environment that we designed for the same subject under the supervision of an OHS Expert. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence levels of miners in the environment and their academic success in the relevant subject. The study covers workers in a specific mine in Turkey. In addition, training scenarios belonging to the occupational accidents that statistically caused the most loss of life in mining accidents were prepared as Occupational Safety Training. Within the scope of the study, academic achievement tests were applied before and after the training to measure the academic success of both groups. In addition, the “Sense of Presence Scale” was applied to the control group employees, and their opinions were obtained regarding the training in question. As a result of the research, the academic success of the employees in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group as a result of statistical analysis. The VR material of the experimental group increased the feeling of being in the environment, and the motivation of the employees in the experimental group was higher. As a result of the study, the academic success of the employees in the Occupational Health and Safety training increased positively, and there was a positive relationship between the sense of presence scale in the virtual reality environment and the academic success scores of the employees.