Learning from construction accidents in virtual reality with an ontology-enabled framework

Learning from accidents is essential in preventing their recurrence; however, the unstructured nature of construction accident data poses a significant challenge to the retrieval of insightful information from past incidents. The absence of engaging training tools that facilitate access to such information also impedes learning. This paper aims to develop an ontology-enabled Virtual Reality (VR) framework to provide access to incident data in immersive educational settings. The framework comprises three modules: 1) Ontology module for structuring information from accidents; 2) VR module for interactive learning based on accident cases; and 3) Semantic enrichment module for embedding accident information in VR scenarios. A prototype was developed to verify the frameworks' technical feasibility, usability, and educational potential. User trials confirm that the solution offers a promising medium for learning from accidents. It is anticipated that the framework would enhance practices for learning from accidents and contribute to improved safety outcomes in construction.