A framework to use virtual reality for behavior change to promote safety and health at work

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) was created to give and enhance good user experiences, when the participants interact with virtual environments. These experiences have been successfully used in entertainment contexts, giving unforgettable user experiences. Nowadays, VR as used as a persuasive technology intentionally designed to change people’s attitude and behavior in different contexts (i.g. marketing, health). In this context, the objective of this paper is to discuss about the potentialities of VR for behavior change and presents a framework to use VR for behavior change, particularly related with safety at work situations. This framework is composed by five steps, to include VR in an organization. A discussion about the measurements and VR equipment’s to be used is made, to help the potential professionals to use VR to worker behavior changes proposals. In synthesis, this framework may not only improve worker behavior increasing the awareness of potential risks in the real work, but also unconsciously influence their routine behaviors which lead to the safety.