Safety training is essential for saving lives and resources, especially in high-risk environments like warehouses. This study investigates virtual reality (VR) as a tool for safety training and utilizes design thinking (DT) processes that apply a user-centered design approach to enhance user experience. A mixed-method design evaluated usability, presence, cognitive load, and simulator sickness with 52 trainees and 12 experts using validated instruments and 5 Whys interviews. Results show high usability, high presence levels, moderate cognitive load, and low simulator sickness, demonstrating VR’s feasibility for safety training. Qualitative insights highlight VR’s role in improving hazard recognition and compliance. This study offers practical insights into VR’s benefits and challenges for safety trainers and facility managers, integrating facility management principles to enhance risk management and training feasibility. This research enables VR technology utilization for effective training experiences, which leads to implementing safety procedures and observing risks in the actual workplace environment. • VR safety training enhances user experience with high usability and presence levels. • Trainees have moderate cognitive load and low motion sickness with VR safety training. • Design Thinking and User-Centered Design improve VR safety training development • Positive results show VR’s ability in warehouse safety training and risk management. • Insights for logistics managers and trainers on integrating VR in safety training.
Al-Hamad et al. (2026) studied this question.