In an effort to supplement field training for utility gas employees, Unitil Corp. is launching a comprehensive virtual reality training program that it says will allow them to experience a
host of virtual scenarios ranging from a potentially dangerous leak to
patrolling transmission pipeline to ensure its safety.
Unitil was first introduced to the interactive VR training provided by GTI Energy through a pilot program in 2020.
More than two dozen gas technicians participated in the training.
“The
feedback from the pilot program was extremely positive, and we quickly
learned that VR training will offer many benefits. While we’ll continue
critical training in the field, this will be an additional tool that
will give our workers real-world experiences similar to the ones they
encounter on the job,” said Alec O’Meara, Unitil’s media relations
manager.
Wearing VR
goggles and using a pair of handheld controllers to manipulate digital
objects, trainees are instantly transported into a virtual neighborhood
or elsewhere in the field to handle realistic simulated calls and other
tasks.
Unitil’s
new virtual reality training program allows workers to experience a
variety of real-life scenarios, including an emergency gas leak.
One
of the advantages to VR training is that it doesn’t cause public
distractions, said Robert Allen, Unitil’s supervisor of technical
training and quality management.
“The
modules put them in a controlled environment where they go through
dangerous scenarios like third-party damage or a gas leak situation.
They’re able to go into those virtual worlds and go through all the
procedures and steps that the company has us do, but they’re not
bothering the public,” Allen said.
The
various training modules include natural gas leak emergency response,
investigation of possible gas leaks inside and outside dwellings and
buildings, indoor gas meter and appliance inspections, locating and mark
out of natural gas facilities, pipeline patrolling, and standby
activities such as watching contractors dig around facilities to ensure
procedures are followed, and gas pipeline hot tapping tasks. Modules for
backhoe training and obtaining a commercial driver’s license are also
possible in the future.
