Augmented Reality For Carbon Capture, Utilization And Storage: Enhancing Worker Training And Safety In Ashaka Cement Plant

This study explores the application of Augmented Reality (AR) technology to enhance worker training and safety in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) operations within the cement industry, focusing on Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe, Nigeria.As the cement sector faces growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions through CCUS technologies, the challenge of effectively training workers and ensuring safety in complex, high-risk environments has become increasingly critical.Traditional training methods, including manuals and classroom instruction, often fall short in providing practical, real-time hazard awareness and operational readiness.Through a cross-sectional survey of 19 workers involved in CCUS operations at Ashaka Cement Plant, this research assessed awareness, perceptions, and willingness to adopt AR-based training.The findings reveal a strong preference for AR training, with 84.2% favoring it over conventional methods and 73.7% willing to participate in trial programs.Respondents identified AR's key advantages, including enhanced hands-on experience and improved safety awareness, though challenges such as limited training materials, equipment access, and technical issues were also noted.Importantly, 57.9% of participants believed AR-based training could have prevented past safety incidents.The study concludes that while AR presents a promising solution to bridge the training and safety gaps in CCUS-enabled cement plants, successful implementation will require investment in tailored training content, infrastructure, technical improvements, and structured worker engagement.These findings offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders, training institutions, technology developers, and policymakers aiming to promote safer, more efficient CCUS operations in the cement sector.