Work safety is an important area of business activity, particularly in industries with the most dangerous risks, such as mining, construction and energy. The aim is to reduce the number of accidents and increase employee awareness of occupational hazards and the principles of safe working practices. One of the most important ways to increase employee awareness and consequently reduce accidents is through training. The effectiveness of training is contingent on proper planning, design and preparation. Design thinking directed towards the use of teaching methods and tools is crucial. Properly planned training is part of the sustainability of companies, which consequently results in higher work safety due to its high efficiency. This article reviews the most common training methods in the area of work safety and evaluates them qualitatively and quantitatively using SWOT and multi-criteria analyses. These analyses can provide important guidance in the selection of training methods, regardless of the business sector. Based on the results obtained, effective training methods included those involving students: active training methods with elements of discussion and gamification, augmented and virtual reality, demonstrations and simulations. However, the best training results can be achieved by combining a number of training methods, while maintaining the right balance to achieve the intended training objectives. This is particularly important in businesses with specific activities such as mining, construction or energy.

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the most innovative technologies that allows the development of a computerised, three-dimensional image that imitates reality. With this solution, it is possible to show different objects and even simulate a sequence of actions. The application of virtual reality technology in industries with high accident rates, such as mining and construction, contributes to sustainability by enhancing occupational health and safety (OHS) practices. However, it should be emphasised that the application of VR in these industries is much broader and includes aspects such as visualisation, monitoring and design. This research contributes to sustainability by identifying research gaps, providing an in-depth systematic review of the use of virtual reality technology and outlining the potential of VR technology to advance safety practices in mining and construction, thereby promoting the well-being of workers, reducing accidents and minimising negative environmental impacts associated with workplace incidents. Based on the analyses performed, the future of VR technology for improving work processes in terms of the safety, efficiency and profitability of implementation is outlined. The results of this study provide a comprehensive framework for identifying research gaps in this area to advance research in the academic community and to improve safety in mining and construction workplaces.

The necessity to ensure safety in the work environment is a priority for the functioning of mines as enterprises with a high level of exposure to hazards. The basis for this is the identification of hazards to which mine workers are exposed. This article aims to identify and systematize safety hazards present in quarries. Based on a review of the literature, hazards were identified and classified into six groups: natural, environmental, technical and technological, human, organizational, and others. Additionally, a correlation was established between the identified hazards and the stages of the mine’s life cycle, as well as the methods of deposit extraction in quarries. The results presented in the article systematize existing knowledge on industry-specific hazards. The results can serve as a source of information when developing occupational risk documentation and its analysis, and form the basis for research on the causes and consequences of accidents in mining. Identifying hazards can also help effectively monitor them effectively and implement preventive measures to protect workers and reduce accident risks in quarries.

Innovative technologies have been helping to improve comfort and safety at work in high-risk sectors for years. The study analysed the impact, along with an assessment of potential implementations (opportunities and limitations) of innovative technological solutions for improving occupational safety in two selected sectors of the economy: mining and construction. The technologies evaluated included unmanned aerial vehicles and inspection robots, the Internet of Things and sensors, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, innovative individual and collective protective equipment, and exoskeletons. Due to the extensive nature of the obtained materials, the research description has been divided into two articles (Part I and Part II). This article presents the first three technologies. After the scientific literature from the Scopus database was analysed, some research gaps that need to be filled were identified. In addition to the obvious benefits of increased occupational safety for workers, innovative technological solutions also offer employers several economic advantages that affect the industry’s sustainability. Innovative technologies are playing an increasingly important role in improving safety in mining and construction. However, further integration and overcoming implementation barriers, such as the need for changes in education, are needed to realise their full potential.

Sensors are a key component of virtual reality (VR) technology, as they enable motion tracking, interaction with the environment, and realistic representation of user behaviour in virtual space. VR technology is gaining increasing importance in engineering, offering new ways to support research, analysis, and training. This article examines its applications in four key areas: surveying and geomatics, mining, environmental protection, and occupational safety. The study is based on a review of the scientific literature indexed in the Scopus database, with the aim of highlighting both the potential of VR and directions for its future development. The findings indicate that VR provides effective tools for analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing complex geospatial data. It enables realistic simulations of mining processes, supports the monitoring of environmental impacts, and facilitates environmental education by creating engaging, immersive experiences. In occupational safety, VR allows hazard scenarios and accident events to be reproduced in a safe yet highly realistic environment, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of training. This is made possible through the integration of sensors with virtual reality, further enhancing immersion in the environment. Despite these advantages, several barriers have been identified. They include technological challenges, insufficient numbers of trained specialists, health and ergonomics concerns, resistance to organizational change, ethical considerations, and limited funding. It is clear that the future of VR in engineering will be shaped by continuous technological progress combined with growing attention to behavioural aspects of training and user interaction. These trends are expected to drive the creation of increasingly advanced and effective tools. The article thus provides a foundation for further exploration of VR as an integral part of engineering practice.

Innovative technologies have been supporting the improvement of comfort and safety at work in construction and mining, which are classified as high-risk sectors, for many years. A two-part study (Part I and Part II) was conducted in which the implementation of innovative technologies was analysed and evaluated (opportunities and limitations). In Part II, the technologies employed in the work environment by employees to enhance their comfort and safety at work were analysed. These technologies encompass virtual and augmented reality, innovative personal and collective protective equipment, and exoskeletons. Following a thorough analysis of the extant scientific literature from the Scopus database, it was determined that there were research gaps that required attention. In addition to the evident advantages of enhancing the safety of workers, innovative technological solutions also engender numerous economic benefits for employers, which impact sustainable development in enterprises. In order to fully exploit the potential of modern technologies, it is necessary to continue their integration and overcome implementation barriers, such as the need for changes in education and training, adequate funding, and the development of safety awareness and culture in companies.