DEVB TC(W) No. 3/2023, Annex A clause 6
VR safety training for workers in high-risk activities
Clause 6 of DEVB TC(W) No. 3/2023, Annex A, requires safety training with virtual reality (VR) technology every half-year for workers in eight high-risk activities, such as heavy lifting, confined space and working at height. The contractor supplies the content, hardware and software, and keeps signed records. Kodifly supplies the VR kit and records the training.
What the circular requires, and how sites use it
Clause 6(1) adds VR safety training to the safety training the contract already requires. Workers in the listed high-risk activities take it half-yearly, on topics relevant to their duties. CIC and the Buildings Department list it as safety training with VR technology, the tenth category of 4S products.
The contractor prepares the content for acceptance. It can be based on VR training kits prepared by DEVB, the Construction Industry Council, the Hong Kong Construction Association or equivalent (clause 6(2)). The contractor provides all hardware and software.
On a Hong Kong site, a toolbox talk becomes a short headset session in the site training room. The trade, topic and date are recorded for each worker.
High-risk activities in clause 6(1)
Workers engaged in these activities take VR training on topics relevant to their duties.
Activities covered
- Heavy lifting operation.
- Heavy machinery operation.
- Working in confined space.
- Working at height.
- Working near mobile plant.
- Use of suspended working platform.
- Erection, alteration or dismantling of bamboo scaffolds and truss-out bamboo scaffolds.
- Electrical and other works with potential electrical hazards or contact with live electrical parts.
Requirements and measurement
| Topic | Clause | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 6(1) | Half-yearly for each worker in the listed activities, on topics relevant to their duties. |
| Content | 6(2) | Prepared by the contractor and accepted by the Project Manager or equivalent. May be based on VR kits from DEVB, CIC, the Hong Kong Construction Association or equivalent. |
| Equipment | 6(2) | The contractor provides all hardware and software for smooth VR training. |
| Records | 6(3) | Kept on site: names and trades of workers, dates and topics of training, with signatures. Open for inspection on request. |
| Payment unit | Annex B xx.20 | Measured per person per talk. No payment if the attendee already took VR training under the contract in the past half-year. |
| Quality | Annex B xx.21 | No payment if the Project Manager or equivalent is dissatisfied with frequency, arrangements, relevance or quality and the contractor cannot justify them. |
A half-yearly cycle
Prepare
Choose topics for each trade from the eight activities and prepare the VR content.
Accept
Submit the content to the Project Manager or equivalent for acceptance.
Train
Run headset sessions for each worker on a topic relevant to their duties.
Record
Log the worker's name, trade, date and topic, with a signature.
Repeat
Plan the next session within the half-year interval for each worker.
How Kodifly supplies, installs and runs it
Headsets, software and records come as one package, with the training logged against each worker.
Hardware, software and records together
VR headsets and software
Content for the listed activities, from accepted VR kits
Content package submitted for acceptance
Set-up of the training room
Signed training records by worker, trade and topic
Half-yearly schedule per worker
Monthly statement for payment
VR safety training, answered
What does the circular require for VR safety training?
Safety training using VR technology, on relevant topics, every half-year for workers in eight listed high-risk activities, in addition to the contract's own training (Annex A, clause 6(1)).
Which activities are listed?
Heavy lifting, heavy machinery, confined space, working at height, working near mobile plant, suspended working platforms, bamboo scaffold erection, alteration and dismantling, and electrical works with potential electrical hazards (clause 6(1)).
Who prepares the content?
The contractor, for acceptance by the Project Manager or equivalent. It can be based on VR kits prepared by DEVB, CIC, the Hong Kong Construction Association or equivalent (clause 6(2)).
What records must be kept?
Names and trades of the workers, and the dates and topics of the training each received, with their signatures. They are kept on site for inspection on request (clause 6(3)).
How is VR training paid for?
Per person per talk (Annex B, paragraph xx.20). The item is measured as a number in the Bills of Quantities (Annex C, item P), and no payment is due for a worker who already attended within the past half-year.
Is VR training a CIC 4S category?
Yes. CIC lists safety training with virtual reality technology as one of the ten main categories of 4S products.
Related guides
Set up your VR training
Tell us the trades and headcount. We will plan the headsets, content and records.