First Virtual Reality (VR) Administered Certification Assessment Under the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 Standard

Industrial Training International’s (ITI), Construction Hazard Identification assessment and certification has been granted accreditation by the Personnel Credentialing Accreditation Committee (PCAC) of the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The certification, which is also endorsed by the National Safety Council (NSC), is the first programme accredited by ANAB under ISO/IEC 17024:2012 using virtual reality (VR). Applicants who successfully complete the assessment with a passing score will be awarded the Hazard Identification – Construction Certification, a five-year credential.

Andrew Kauser, chief product officer at ITI said, “The ITI team, supported by an incredible group of engaged industry partners, worked hard to deliver a Construction Hazard Identification examination in virtual reality that lets the test taker identify critical hazards encountered on a job site, ultimately creating a safer work environment. We are proud to the be first ANAB accredited VR examination under ISO/IEC 17024:2012,”

In a January 2020 survey conducted by ITI, with 184 respondents, 67% of all respondents said that their organisation would likely rely on a three to five-year construction safety certification based on a VR exam, and 75% of managers and owners saw a positive benefit from such a certification. Additional industry involvement in the development and early testing of the assessment incorporated representatives from NSC, Bechtel, DPR Construction, GLY Construction, Kiewit, Liberty Mutual, and United Rentals.

Nick Smith, chief operating officer and chief strategy officer at the National Safety Council said, “ITI is an innovator in the hoisting and material handling space. This partnership reflects our desire to collaborate with organisations that share NSC values and our ongoing advocacy for worker safety.”

Through the partnership with the NSC, Hazard Identification assessments will be available at participating NSC chapters, with the Health & Safety Council in Pasadena, Texas serving as the pilot facility. Candidates must complete and submit a certification application, select an approved assessment site, and check in with a proctor ahead of the exam, and upon completion will receive results within 48 hours. An all-inclusive certification fee of $59 is required.

Dick Hannah, vice president of learning and innovation at the Health & Safety Council said, “The mission of HASC as an innovative leader is in building safe workplaces by improving the quality and integrity of the workforce. Being able to pilot ITI’s VR training and simulators helps us fulfill that mission. Our partnership with ITI has been beneficial for the contracting community for years and continues to grow; we are excited to see how ITI’s VR courses and simulators can augment our own VR courses and research and improve training for the contractor community we serve.” –

Industrial Training International (ITI) is a global leader in the design and delivery of learning solutions for organisations conducting crane, rigging, and load handling activities. Founded in 1986, the company originally specialized in instructor-led training, field services, and consulting. ITI has since grown to also produce live online, and on-demand courses delivered via the ITI Learning Hub and has been recognized with numerous industry association awards for its ground-breaking virtual reality crane and equipment simulations solution.