Drydocks World Dubai Launches First IOSH-Approved VR Safety Training

Drydocks World Dubai, a top maritime service provider, has achieved a remarkable milestone. Their virtual reality (VR) safety training programme has received the IOSH approval, marking it as the first worldwide to earn this accreditation. This achievement highlights their commitment to innovative safety solutions in the marine industry.

The VR training, crafted entirely by Drydocks' Learning & Development team, signifies a significant advancement in safety education. Over 15,000 employees and contractors have been trained using this system, which offers realistic, site-specific experiences reflecting the unique challenges faced in ship repair, construction, and offshore environments.

According to Mahfoodha Makki, Senior Manager – Talent Development at Drydocks World Dubai, VR training has significantly improved workforce engagement. "Previously, trainees found classroom sessions lengthy and repetitive. With VR training, they're fully immersed and actively engaged — throughout the experience. 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," she said.

The training, available in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Tamil, focuses on 11 crucial hazards. It allows participants to practice key safety procedures in an immersive environment, eliminating real-world risks. These sessions, lasting one hour and conducted twice daily for groups of eight, utilise advanced VR simulations tailored to Drydocks' specific operational setting.

Iain Mcintosh, Senior Business Development Manager at IOSH, stated, "This project is a 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."

IOSH's collaboration with Drydocks marks a significant milestone in the Middle East. A dedicated IOSH team has worked closely with Drydocks, providing support and ensuring the program met accreditation standards. Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher, IOSH CEO, even participated in the on-site VR training.

Vanessa remarked, "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."

Following the VR module's success, Drydocks is broadening its use of immersive technology to encompass technical skills training, including Working at Height, MEWP Simulator, and EOT Crane Simulator. This expansion highlights the ongoing evolution of training methodologies within the organisation.

IOSH continues to strengthen its presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Collaborating with industry leaders, it aims to embed a world-class safety culture through training, accreditation, and bespoke consultancy.

"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 added.

Drydocks and IOSH will present a joint panel session at Intersec Dubai in January 2026. The session will discuss evolving workforce training dynamics in occupational safety and health. It will explore how organisations, alongside IOSH, are rethinking delivery methods to engage diverse, multi-generational, and multi-cultural teams effectively.