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Drydocks World Dubai

World’s first IOSH-approved VR safety training sets a new standard for marine industry education

Drydocks World Dubai has introduced the first IOSH-certified virtual reality safety training, redefining safety education in the Middle East. This innovation combines immersive technology with global standards to enhance workforce safety and operational excellence.

A VR training session taking place in a modern room illuminated with purple lighting and diagonal LED strips on the ceiling. Four individuals are wearing VR headsets and standing apart, engaged in the simulation. The room features two large wall-mounted screens on either side and a central projection screen displaying training content. A table with equipment is positioned along the right wall, and the floor is carpeted in gray.
VR training session at Drydocks World Dubai

A groundbreaking milestone was achieved when IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) approved the world’s first virtual reality (VR) safety training programme. This innovative training package became the first of its kind to receive IOSH accreditation globally, setting a new benchmark for immersive safety education.

Developed entirely in-house by Drydocks World Dubai’s Learning & Development team, the immersive VR training module represents a major leap in safety education and workforce engagement. The programme, which has successfully trained more than 15,000 employees and contractors, provides realistic, site-specific learning experiences that mirror the unique challenges of ship repair, construction and offshore environments.

English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil – the training focuses on 11 key hazards, allowing participants to learn and practise essential safety procedures in a fully immersive environment without real-world risk.

Established in 1983, Drydocks World Dubai is one of the leading ship repair, maintenance, and offshore service facilities in the Middle East. Covering more than one million square metres, it provides engineering, procurement and construction services for the global maritime industry, serving vessels and rigs of all sizes.

The company is recognised for its innovation, safety leadership, and commitment to excellence in supporting the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors.

“This project is a real breakthrough – not just for IOSH but for the global marine industry. Drydocks World Dubai has shown how digital innovation can make safety training more inclusive and impactful, particularly in regions with highly diverse, multilingual workforces.“By approving this programme, we’re setting a new precedent for how immersive technology can enhance learning, retention and long-term safety culture.”

Iain Mcintosh

Job role
Senior Business Development Manager at IOSH

“The transformation in workforce engagement has been remarkable,” says Mahfoodha Makki, Senior Manager of Talent Development at Drydocks World Dubai.

The first step to achieving IOSH's business assurance certification was to find out about all aspects of the current safety and health culture.

“Previously, trainees found classroom sessions lengthy and repetitive. With VR training, they’re fully immersed and actively engaged – throughout the experience. There’s no doubt the technology has brought an unprecedented level of intensity to the training, keeping everyone in the moment.“And the feedback has been outstanding, reflected not just in surveys but in meaningful behavioural change. The operations team now actively reminds one another about safety protocols having witnessed the consequences first-hand.”

Mahfoodha Makki

Job role
Senior Manager – Talent Development
Company
Drydocks World Dubai

Immersive training in action

The one-hour sessions, run twice daily for groups of eight, use advanced VR simulations tailored specifically to Drydocks’ operational environment. The technology has driven a learning retention rate of up to 95%, as compared to traditional methods.

  • VR training interface showing a wall display of safety equipment. Items include chemical protection gloves, a disposable coverall, and a mask highlighted in green. Labels for other items such as “Confined Space Entry Permit,” “PGD Meter,” and “Whistle” are also visible.
  • A virtual reality training environment inside an industrial warehouse. The scene shows a suspended red barrel hanging from a yellow overhead crane, surrounded by orange-and-white safety cones arranged in a grid. The floor has green highlighted zones, likely indicating safe or interactive areas. In the background, there are stacked barrels and large rolls of material along the walls under a blue steel frame roof.
  • A virtual reality training environment depicting a modern office space. The room has light gray tiled flooring and white walls, with large glass partitions revealing an adjacent office area. On the left wall, there is a display board featuring various safety equipment, including gloves, a high-visibility vest, and protective clothing. In the foreground, a white table holds a detailed scale model of a red and black cargo ship. Two potted plants are placed near the glass partitions for decoration.
  • A virtual reality training simulation on the deck of a large red industrial vessel. The scene shows a worker wearing a safety helmet, gloves, and a high-visibility vest standing next to an open red hatch box with attached cables and visible control levers. Instructional labels are displayed on the hatch. In the background, green piping runs along the deck, and cranes are visible near the horizon under a cloudy sky.
  • VR training scene in a modern office with rows of desks, computer monitors, and two people seated. Two screens at the front display “INNOVATION” and “Drydocks World.” Bright ceiling lights and a closed door are visible.
  • VR training scene in a gray room with bright ceiling lights. A ladder stands in the foreground, and three workers in blue safety uniforms are performing tasks near cabinets and screens displaying “INNOVATION” and “Drydocks World.”
  • VR training scene of a shipyard with a large red vessel docked. Two green scaffolding structures are attached to the ship’s side, and workers in blue safety uniforms are visible on the deck. Cranes and industrial buildings appear in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • VR training scene on an offshore platform. A worker in blue safety gear stands on a yellow structure operating a control panel near a large crane component. The ocean and partly cloudy sky are visible in the background.
  • A VR training interface showing a gray textured background with several labeled items. Visible objects include a red electronic device, a red whistle, and a white access pass labeled “T-Card” highlighted in green. Other labels such as “Head Torch” and “Whistle” appear near the corresponding items. A semi-transparent virtual hand is positioned near the access pass, indicating interaction within the simulation.
  • VR training interface showing a red access box with panels labeled “ACCESS PASSES” and “GAS FREE & SAFE TO ENTER.” A virtual hand interacts with the box, and a green arrow indicates the next step.

This partnership represents a major milestone for IOSH in the Middle East, with a dedicated IOSH team investing considerable time on-site with the Drydocks team offering continued support. This commitment led IOSH Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher to participate in on-site VR training herself.

“It was an exciting moment when Drydocks’ VR course was demonstrated to meet all the stringent IOSH accreditation criteria.“A key takeaway for our future regional partners is the importance of involving IOSH at the early stage of the programme design to ensure that content, structure and assessment are well aligned from the start.“I’m delighted to say that this collaboration with Drydocks has opened the door to an exciting new generation of IOSH-approved digital training worldwide and is transforming how learning is delivered and experienced.”

Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher

Job role
Chief Executive Officer
Company
IOSH

Following the success of the VR module, Drydocks is now expanding the use of immersive technology to cover technical skills such as Working at Height, MEWP Simulator and EOT Crane Simulator.

As IOSH continues to expand its footprint across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, the institution is working closely with industry leaders to embed world-class safety culture through training, accreditation and bespoke consultancy.

Group photo taken indoors during a visit to Drydocks World Dubai. Several people are standing in a meeting room, some wearing white coveralls with company logos and others in formal business attire. A person in a green suit is positioned near the center, and a small trophy or award is being presented. Behind the group is a large wall-mounted screen displaying an aerial view of a port facility. The room has modern lighting, plants, and a wooden table in the foreground.
IOSH Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher (center) during a visit to Drydocks World Dubai

“The collaboration with Drydocks World Dubai exemplifies IOSH’s commitment to advancing occupational health and safety standards in high-risk sectors by fostering innovation and partnership.”

Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher

Job role
Chief Executive Officer
Company
IOSH
A person wearing a green suit with a white blouse stands in a modern indoor setting, holding a smartphone in one hand. The room has gray carpet flooring and light-colored walls. On the left wall, there is a decorative orange neon design resembling angled lines. To the right, a wall-mounted screen displays colorful graphics. Electrical cables and a socket are visible near the floor.
IOSH Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher experiences the VR training

Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher, IOSH Chief Executive Officer

From learning to leading: a journey of innovation

When people hear my name today, they often associate it with my role as CEO of IOSH. What many don’t realise is that my technical specialism has always been rooted in learning and development – particularly the digitisation of it. In fact, this was the very focus of my master’s degree, where I explored how technology could transform the way we learn.

So, in early 2025, it was with great pleasure that my two worlds – health and safety and learning – came together during a visit to Drydocks World Dubai. There, I experienced first-hand their cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) OSH training. Standing in a simulated environment that mirrored real-life hazards, I saw the future of safety education unfold before my eyes.

Virtual reality isn’t just a technological novelty; it’s a game-changer for occupational safety and health. Here’s why:

  • immersive learning: VR places learners in realistic, high-risk scenarios without exposing them to actual danger. This creates a safe space to practice critical decision-making
  • enhanced retention: studies show that experiential learning boosts memory retention. VR engages multiple senses, making lessons stick far better than traditional methods
  • immediate feedback: trainees receive instant feedback on their actions, reinforcing correct behaviours and highlighting areas for improvement
  • scalable and cost-effective: once developed, VR modules can be deployed globally, reducing the need for physical training setups and travel
  • risk-free mistakes: learners can make errors without real-world consequences, turning mistakes into powerful learning moments.

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