In the high-stakes construction world, ensuring the well-being of every worker on-site is paramount. Workers navigate hazardous conditions that require constant vigilance, preparation, and decisive action every day. Yet, despite the industry’s best efforts, traditional safety training methods—static presentations, lectures, and classroom sessions—often fail to fully engage employees or equip them for real-world risks.
Recognizing the urgent need for innovation, PCL Construction set out to revolutionize its safety training program. Partnering with Pixaera, they introduced immersive virtual reality (VR) training, a game-changing approach proven to increase knowledge retention by 75% compared to conventional methods.
This cutting-edge solution enables PCL employees to step into realistic, high-risk scenarios, where they can identify hazards, test their responses, and make critical safety decisions—all in a risk-free virtual environment. More than just an upgrade to their training program, this initiative reflects PCL’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every worker is not just informed—but truly prepared to return home safely each day.
Through this collaboration with Pixaera, PCL is setting a new industry standard and proving that experiential learning is not just the future of safety but the key to saving lives today.
Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries, with 169,600 recordable injuries reported in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hazards such as falls, transportation incidents, and exposure to harmful environments are persistent challenges.
PCL’s Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) team had long relied on conventional training methods, but they faced a growing problem:
“The way people learn has changed,” explains Don Blumenthal, HSE Manager at PCL. “We needed a solution that could combat information overload and make safety training more engaging and effective.”
That’s when Pixaera VR Training entered the picture.
Pixaera’s VR safety training provided PCL with a gamified, interactive learning experience that simulated real-world hazards designed to improve knowledge retention without the actual risks. In a controlled virtual setting, employees could now experience fall protection scenarios, heavy equipment operations, and confined space hazards. For example, in one training scenario, a PCL employee would wear Pixaera’s goggles to enter a simulated job site. They may look up and see a worker who wasn’t tied off and wasn't in danger of falling.
Key to the success of PCL’s VR initiative was Pixaera’s ability to meet PCL’s unique safety needs. PCL’s safety training focuses on the company’s identified "lifesaving absolutes” – seven critical focus areas where serious injuries or fatalities are most likely to occur. Pixaera already had training modules aligned with these absolutes, making their technology a seamless fit for PCL’s safety standards. While Pixaera has an extensive background in creating safety training for oil and gas companies, PCL is their largest general contracting partner to date, offering an opportunity to increase the scale and impact of the technology. Together, the two companies are pioneering the use of VR technology to elevate safety training in construction. Throughout the trial period, PCL personnel tested Pixaera’s VR modules and provided feedback to enhance the training experience.
“Our collaboration with PCL has been a learning experience for both sides,” says Kieran Bowker, Head of Delivery Management at Pixaera. “They’ve been discovering how to integrate the technology into their operations, while we’ve been learning about their industry-specific safety priorities and standards.”
Pixaera customized its modules to include PCL’s branding to ensure the training felt authentic and relevant, making the virtual environments instantly recognizable to employees. Flexibility is another standout feature, as workers can complete training via VR headsets, desktop computers, and large-screen casting with Classroom Mode, ensuring inclusivity for all experience levels. Accessibility and scalability were just as crucial as the content of the training.
“We needed a solution that everyone could use – from tech-savvy interns to seasoned veterans,” explains Don Blumenthal.
Additionally, the technology needed to be adaptable for any project type, market, or location. This innovative partnership has strengthened PCL’s safety program and positioned both companies at the forefront of advancing VR technology in the construction industry.
PCL’s HSE team could track employee performance, identify knowledge gaps, and ensure compliance across the organization. This shift allowed PCL employees to “learn by doing”—a scientifically proven method that boosts knowledge retention rates to 75%, compared to just 5% for traditional lecture-based training.
“This technology enables workers to learn by doing and failing safely, so when they’re on an actual construction site, they’re prepared.” – Kieran Bowker, Head of Delivery Management at Pixaera.
Since adopting Pixaera’s VR training, the response from PCL employees has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Project leadership has told me they feel more confident that their teams understand safety expectations thanks to this technology,” says Don Blumenthal. “One superintendent even called it the best safety training program he’d encountered in decades of construction experience.” “Being able to train our employees in the most accurate and technologically advanced way is incredibly rewarding,” says Blumenthal. “This isn’t just about innovation – it’s about making sure every worker goes home safe. That’s what matters most.”
Employees found VR training far more engaging than traditional methods, making safety education more immersive and impactful. Beyond engagement, workers demonstrated enhanced knowledge retention, not only remembering safety protocols but also confidently applying them in high-pressure situations. This level of preparedness boosted confidence among on-site teams, as project managers could trust that workers arriving on-site had already encountered hazards virtually and knew how to respond effectively. Additionally, the scalability of the VR program allowed PCL to roll out training seamlessly across multiple locations and training groups, ensuring consistency and accessibility throughout the organization.
For Caleb Browne, a PCL HSE Supervisor, the impact of VR training was instant:
“The first time I went into the immersive training, a worker was about to fall, and I instinctively reached out to grab him. It felt real—and that’s why the lessons stuck with me.”
Similarly, Jared Russell, a PCL Project Manager, emphasized the program’s real-world benefits:
“It’s reassuring to know that workers arriving on my site have already encountered hazards virtually. I’ve seen what they’ve seen and know they’re equipped to handle challenges safely.”
Pixaera’s solution for immersive safety training, as adopted at PCL, isn’t just about meeting compliance standards—it’s about transforming safety culture from within. It makes training more immersive, engaging, and accessible to people of all experience levels.
With Pixaera, PCL is:
✅ Building a shared safety language – Every worker now has a consistent understanding of hazards and best practices.
✅ Bridging generational gaps – Both seasoned workers and new hires actively participate and learn from each other.
✅ Fostering a proactive mindset – Employees don’t just memorize safety rules; they develop muscle memory for safe decision-making.
“The high level of engagement and knowledge retention proves we’ve made the right decision. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making safety second nature.” – Don Blumenthal, HSE Manager, PCL.
Given its success, PCL is scaling VR training company-wide, making it a cornerstone of its safety-first mission. The company is expanding its training modules to address emerging construction safety challenges, ensuring workers are equipped to handle evolving risks. At the same time, PCL is rolling out VR training nationwide, positioning itself as one of the first U.S.-based construction firms to integrate immersive learning at scale. By blending VR with traditional training methods, PCL is creating a comprehensive learning ecosystem that enhances engagement and maximizes knowledge retention, reinforcing its commitment to building a safer future for every worker.
Through this partnership, PCL and Pixaera are setting a new industry benchmark for safety training excellence. With VR now at the heart of their program, PCL is leading toward a safer, more prepared workforce.
Discover how Pixaera’s VR training can revolutionize your workforce’s safety standards. Get in touch with our team today to explore how immersive learning can work for you!
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