○ On-site training to address the limitations of external group training
– Language barriers resolved through hands-on training and simultaneous interpretation
○ Anticipated to foster a safety culture and prevent accidents through customized training for foreign workers

Gyeonggi Province announced on April 30 that it is conducting year-round on-site virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered safety training for foreign workers in the province who are exposed to the risk of industrial disasters due to language barriers and limited access to training opportunities.

Foreign workers often find it difficult to receive systematic occupational safety training despite working in high-risk environments. They also face challenges attending external group training sessions during the workweek due to workplace constraints. Moreover, workers of different nationalities face language barriers since the programs are conducted in Korean.

To overcome these limitations, Gyeonggi Province has adopted a customized program that combines on-site training with non-verbal communication methods.

The training incorporates VR devices to allow workers to experience four to five major risk scenarios that could occur at manufacturing sites. Afterward, workers are provided with visual explanations of the causes of accidents and examples of non-compliance with safety regulations to facilitate intuitive understanding without language barriers.

For mandatory lecture-style training, AI-based simultaneous interpretation enables foreign workers to participate in real time in their native languages.

Following the session, a “Call by Name” campaign is conducted to encourage colleagues to address each other by name. Labels bearing workers’ names in Korean are affixed to their safety helmets. This initiative focuses on enhancing foreign workers’ sense of belonging and fostering a culture of mutual respect.

To date, two on-site training sessions have been held, including one at a workplace in Hwaseong City on April 27. Officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which oversees the project, were present at the Hwaseong site to assess the project’s performance incorporating VR and AI technologies. One foreign worker who completed the training said it was highly beneficial and that the VR training helped them clearly understand the risks associated with violating safety rules.

Businesses wishing to provide safety training for foreign workers may apply via the website (경기지중해.kr) or email (ggsafety@safety.or.kr). Applicants will receive on-site training on a rolling basis after schedule consultations.
Gyeonggi Province plans to continue expanding its occupational safety policies, including providing intensive support to those vulnerable to serious industrial accidents, such as foreign workers and small-scale workplaces.