Problems and Solutions in VR Safety Training for Construction Engineers under Mandatory Education

Traditional construction safety education has often been limited in effectiveness due to its theory-oriented delivery and low learner engagement, resulting in insufficient impact on accident prevention. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to transform safety training into an immersive, learner-centered experience by enabling repetitive practice and high-risk simulations. Since 2021, experiential training using VR has been increasingly adopted in statutory safety education for construction professionals in Korea. This study compares VR-based safety education with traditional lecture-based approaches, analyzing their effectiveness and limitations. From March to May 2025, a VR safety training program was conducted with 45 construction professionals at the Kyungbok University Construction Education Center, focusing on realism, immersion, learning outcomes, and applicability to the field. Survey results showed that over 89% of participants rated VR training as effective (4 or higher on a 5-point scale), with particularly high satisfaction regarding immersion. However, technical issues such as dizziness, differences from real sites, and discomfort with equipment were also noted. The study suggests that for VR safety education to further develop as an effective tool for industrial accident prevention, collaborative content development reflecting learner needs, improvement of training equipment usability, and systematic post-training effectiveness management are essential.