Virtual Reality: A New Angle for Safety at Régie des Eaux Gessiennes

Innovating in safety is a constant challenge for companies, especially when it comes to keeping teams engaged. Laurent Pillard, QHSE Manager at Régie des Eaux Gessiennes, shares his experience and approach to tackling safety from a new perspective, thanks to virtual reality.

A Discovery at the Préventica Exhibition

It was at the Préventica exhibition in Lyon that Laurent Pillard discovered the SafetyBox VR©by Immersive Factory. His company, Régie des Eaux Gessiennes, is an essential player in the transport and distribution of drinking water, as well as the collection and treatment of wastewater. The constant search for effective awareness-raising methods is therefore crucial for this high-risk sector.

The SafetyBox VR©: Ease of Use and Impact

The choice of the SafetyBox VR© was driven by its ease of handling and use. Régie des Eaux Gessiennes opted for a one-day rental, a timely approach that met their need to experiment with this new method.

The objective was clear: to approach the topic of safety from a new angle. And the initial feedback is promising. Laurent Pillard highlights a major advantage of virtual reality: "The positive point of virtual reality is to allow our employees to be confronted to risky situations without real consequences, reinforcing the safety culture and the “observe before acting” spirit." This is the full power of simulation: allowing one to learn from mistakes without suffering real consequences.

Areas for Improvement and Targeted Use

While the overall experience is positive, Laurent Pillard points out an area for improvement: “To grow the efficacity of the exercises, it would be interesting to develop scenarios centered on our specifics subjects, as water and sanitation”.

The SafetyBox VR© is recommended by Laurent Pillard, but he specifies the importance of adapting its use to the size of the structure. For a company of 70 people like his, year-round use would be ideal. However, with the aim of diversifying awareness-raising tools and changing approaches, occasional use via rental is preferred.

In summary, virtual reality is establishing itself as a powerful educational tool for safety, offering risk-free experiences and stimulating the proactive thinking of employees.