Energy Safety Canada begins using Serious Labs MEWP VR training simulators

Energy Safety Canada (ESC) has approved the use of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) virtual reality (VR) training simulators from Serious Labs, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

ESC, the safety association for Canada’s oil and gas industry, works with hundreds of authorized training providers (ATPs) across the country to deliver safety training and services.

Serious Labs’ VR simulators were successfully audited twice: once to inform the creation of MEWP operator coursework specific for ESC, and a second time to determine if the simulator course met its requirements as an option for practical evaluation. As a result, workers can now complete the practical component in a VR environment through one of Energy Safety Canada’s ATPs. The certificate of completion is valid for three years and shows that workers have been assessed to ESC standards.

“Our training simulators far exceed not only most training providers’ expectations, but also the industry’s expectations in terms of competency,” said Wade Carson, senior product director, Serious Labs. “The simulators will bolster the ATPs’ current offering while providing a new training tool that many people will actually prefer.”

Serious Labs’ MEWP VR simulators also provide ATPs that do not currently offer equipment training the ability to generate another revenue stream for their business, the company says.

“Simulated training can be a great solution for ATPs who may not have the space in their yard to provide physical equipment, or they are in remote locations, or the day rate equipment rental cost is prohibitive for them to run the training, or there is inclement weather,” said Carson.