Improving Safety Training Through Gamification: An Analysis of Gaming Attributes and Design Prototypes

New approaches are needed to improve outcomes for safety training in hazardous industries. We use an evidence-driven approach to identify the key attributes of serious games that have the potential to improve safety training. Following a detailed needs assessment, we identified four major themes of usability problems which may be addressed through gamification: Limited accessibility, lack of context, lack of consequence, and absence of practicum. Based on our analysis, a series of application prototypes was developed to improve safety training in the mining industry. In particular, we discuss Harry’s Hard Choices, a game for mining emergency response training. Pilot tests indicate high levels of user satisfaction and engagement and anecdotal evidence of training transfer.