Welding Safety VR Training for Australian Workshops and Sites (Model Code of Practice: Welding Processes)
VR welding scenario on the Safe Work Australia model Code: fumes, UV radiation, fire, electric shock and confined areas in mine workshops and fabrication shops.
QUICK ANSWER
The Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice for welding processes covers the main hazards of welding: fumes and gases, radiation, fire and explosion, electric shock, noise and work in confined spaces. A VR workshop lets welders and supervisors practise controlling them before the arc is struck.
What the Rule Requires
Model Code of Practice: Welding processes (Safe Work Australia): the Code explains how a PCBU should manage risks from welding and allied processes, including fume and gas exposure, ultraviolet and infrared radiation, fire and explosion, electric shock and work in confined spaces, using the hierarchy of control with ventilation and extraction ahead of respiratory protection.
The scenario is a mine maintenance workshop in the Hunter Valley. A boilermaker must repair a bucket on a large excavator. The extraction arm does not reach the weld, a fuel bowser sits near the bay door and a fitter is working nearby without eye protection.
Hazards in This Scenario
- Welding fume with no local extraction
- UV flash to nearby workers
- Sparks reaching flammable materials
- Electric shock from damaged leads
The Procedure the Scenario Rehearses
- Position extraction at the weld
- Remove or shield flammables
- Set up screens for nearby workers
- Check leads, earth and connections
- Use the respirator specified for the task
- Keep a fire watch after work stops
Mistakes the Scenario Is Built to Catch
- Welding with extraction out of reach
- No screens around the bay
- Fuel nearby left unprotected
- Damaged lead taped up
Competence Assessment Matrix
| Decision point | What the assessor sees | Pass standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fume | Extraction position | At the weld |
| Fire | Flammables | Removed or shielded |
| Others | Screens | In place |
| Electrical | Leads checked | Before use |
What VR Covers
- Fume and spark spread made visible
- Hazards around the welder, not only the weld
- Fire consequences without a fire
- Records per worker
What VR Does Not Replace
- Welder qualification and trade training
- Air monitoring
- Hot work permits on site
Scope of a One-Scenario Pilot
A pilot builds this scenario as a single module, in Unity or Unreal Engine depending on the visual fidelity the task needs and the headsets on site. It runs on standalone headsets, logs every learner decision, and exports a per-person record for your training file. It is measured against your current method with a test cohort before anything is scaled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hazards does the welding Code cover?
Fumes and gases, radiation, fire and explosion, electric shock, noise and confined spaces.
Is a respirator enough for welding fume?
The Code puts ventilation and extraction first, with respirators as an added control.
Can VR train welding skill?
This scenario is about safety around welding, not weld quality.
Want this scenario built around your site?
We review your current procedure and tell you which parts can be rehearsed in VR and which still need hands-on practice.
Map Your Highest-Risk ScenarioFurther reading
- Confined Space Entry VR Training for Australian Industry (Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces)
- Coal Mine Safety VR Training for Queensland Operations (Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999)
- Mobile Plant VR Training for Queensland Quarries (Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999)
- Noise and Hearing Loss VR Training for Australian Mines and Plants (Model Code: Managing Noise)
- Hot work permit guide
- All VR training scenarios: Australia
- VR pilot readiness checklist
- How VR training programs are priced