Safety using Augmented reality to Facilitate Effective Training and Education (SAFE-TE). The objective of SAFE-TE is to support workers being trained to work with hazardous materials more efficiently

PROJECT SUMMARY ABSTRACT The Occupational Safety and Health ActOSHAwas formed to protect workers and prevent work related injuriesOSHA standards include explicit safety and health training requirements to ensure that the workers have required skills and knowledge to do their work safelyBenten Technologies is partnering with the International Brotherhood of TeamstersIBTto help workers in the HAZMAT HAZWASTE indusry gain the training they need to do their job safely and effectivelyBenten will develop an Augmented realityARMixed realityMRplatform calledSafety using Augmented reality to Facilitate Effective Training and EducationSAFE TEthat enhances training in combination with classroom and practical trainingand that is more efficienteffective and engaging than the traditional oneThe platform will have programmable configurable environment using Bluetooth beacons and fiducial markers to initially deliver the HAZWOPER Initial Hazardous Waste Worker training program to allow instructors to conduct simulated real world training for individuals that work with hazardous materials and wastesThe innovative AR mobile platform will allow IBT to conduct the already successful training hazardous materials worker training program with easeThe objective of SAFE TE is to support workers being trainedto work with hazardous materials more safely and efficientlyApproachSAFE TE will be initially designed and developed by Benten Technologies utilizing training scripts and curriculum provided by the IBTThe specific aims of this SBIR areDevelop the prototype SAFE TE platform integrating commercial componentssuch as Estimote sBluetooth beacon and Samsung hardwarefor training within workplace environmentsConduct a usability pilot test of SAFE TE to test the effectiveness of AR training withtrainees andinstructors to augment practical hands on training when compared with hands on using propsThe power that AR will have in HAZMAT HAZWASTE training will be transformative for the industry because it will revolutionize many aspects of the training from design and creation to how it is conductedIt will allow forinstructor led and created training scenarios that incorporate AR technology to allow for mixed reality training that accurately reflect the types of hazards that the worker may encounter on a HAZWASTE site or during the transportation of hazardous materialsAR training will allow for realistic training using interactive drillsso the workers learn the relevant information they needin the environmentthey will be working inThis will aid in knowledgeskillsand aptitude retention and also allow the workers to reference the material later on as they need it since it will all be stored digitally PROJECT NARRATIVE The comprehensiveintegrated SAFE TE platform is designed to supplement the HAZMAT Initial Hazardous Waste Worker Course for IBT by promoting trainee engagement and kinesthetic learningSAFE TE will allow trainees to interact with virtual images and figures to give them a realistic environment to apply the training they have received and therefore absorb the material in a more intuitive way