XR and Workers’ safety in High-Risk Industries: A comprehensive review

• We demonstrated how XR technologies enhance safety training effectiveness across various high-risk industries. • XR was found to improve hazard identification, engagement, and overall training outcomes. • Important challenges in integrating XR into safety training were identified and discussed. • Future research directions for addressing XR technology limitations to boost safety training effectiveness were discussed. The wider application of extended reality (XR) in various industrial settings has created numerous opportunities for enhancing worker safety. Several XR solutions have been applied to address specific safety challenges faced by workers. This study reviewed the current literature (2017–2024) on how XR technologies can potentially enhance worker safety. The PRISMA protocol was used to highlight how XR technologies are utilized in safety training for high-risk industries, their limitations, and recommendations for future improvements. Findings from a review of 41 studies indicate diverse opportunities (e.g., improved knowledge and productivity, delivery of interactive and sequential instructions) for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) in industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, power distribution/thermal plants, aviation, and firefighting. Several challenges (e.g., limited viewing fields, motion sickness, and control issues) were identified in the use of VR, AR, and MR, stemming from both human and socio-technical factors. The overall sentiment towards the use of XR in safety training was predominantly positive (550 instances), reflecting confidence in these technologies to enhance safety training outcomes. Findings from this study offer new insights into the capabilities of XR technologies in improving worker safety in high-risk industries and outline key considerations for policymakers and technology providers when integrating XR technologies to promote worker safety.