Levelling up workplace safety - how gamification is changing the rules of training
July 2025
IT in Manufacturing
By Ruan Janse van Rensburg, partner, Corporate Accounts at KBC.
In high-risk industries, the difference between theoretical knowledge and practical competence can have life-or-death consequences. Despite the best intentions, traditional safety training often falls short with curricula either being too generic, too passive, or ultimately unmemorable. Enter gamification, a shift in training that is redefining how businesses train for safety and live by those principles.
Turning safety into an experience, not a lecture
At its core, gamification in the workplace is about turning passive learning into active experience. It incorporates elements which we see in everyday games such as challenges, points, competition and rewards, and applies them to safety training. The results speak for themselves. When employees are actively engaged and feel part of the process rather than being passive recipients of information they retain more, respond faster and contribute meaningfully to a culture of safety.
Ruan Janse van Rensburg, partner, Corporate Accounts at KBC.
Immersion breeds retention − the 360-degree advantage
In KBC’s 360-degree hazard identification videos, immersive simulations take employees and place them inside hyper-realistic training environments where they can explore, assess risks and make decisions as if they were really on site. Unlike conventional training modules these interactive experiences drive both muscle memory and instinctive response. The results from these simulations are impressive. When a real hazard presents itself in the workplace, those who have trained through gamification don’t just recall protocol, they are able to act on it confidently.
Beyond just skill building, gamified safety training fosters a culture of shared responsibility. Team-based challenges simulate real-life collaboration where the actions of one impact the outcomes for all. This cultivates accountability and communication among colleagues and peers, which are key ingredients in any safety-driven environment. When safety becomes a game that everyone is playing, it becomes a value that everyone is upholding.
Building habits and results that last beyond training
The shift from passive instruction to active engagement also leads to long-term behavioural change. Gamification rewards consistency and growth, reinforcing the right behaviours with instant feedback and recognition. Over time, this encourages employees to integrate safety practices into their daily routines, not because they have to, but because it becomes second nature.
Companies integrating gamified modules into their safety training endeavours report increased hazard awareness and fewer incidents on the ground. Feedback from participants reveals that through gamified safety training, employees feel more confident, capable and committed to workplace safety. In this case, the training no longer feels like a compliance requirement, but rather like a meaningful investment in their wellbeing.
A cultural shift, not just a training trend
In the end, gamification is not just a training technique, it’s a catalyst for cultural change. By making safety training engaging, experiential and empowering, workers are equipped not only with knowledge but with the competence to act, the confidence to respond and the commitment to uphold safety as a core value.
The challenge for industry leaders is no longer whether they should embrace gamification in their safety training, but rather how quickly it can be integrated into safety ecosystems. The sooner integration happens, the safer workplaces will be.
For more information contact Jason Bome, Workforce Holdings, [email protected], www.workfrce.co.za
Further reading:
Fortifying the state in a time of cyber siege
IT in Manufacturing
In an era where borders are no longer physical, South Africa is being drawn into a new kind of conflict, one fought not with tanks and missiles, but with lines of code and silent intrusions. The digital battlefield is here, and cyber space has become the next frontier of conflict.
Read more...
Reinventing data centre design: critical changes to meet surging
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
AI technologies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible which, in turn, is presenting data centres with a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately, several options are emerging which include optimising design and infrastructure for efficiency, cooling and management systems
Read more...
Smart manufacturing, APC and the
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturers are prioritising the integration of smart technologies into their daily operations to stay one step ahead of the competition. In South Africa, some experts believe the country has the potential to leapfrog its global peers through the creation of smart factories.
Read more...
Schneider Electric’s Five-Pillar Strategy takes the guesswork out of equip
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Field Service Cycle, otherwise known as the Five-Pillar Strategy, is a structured approach to managing the lifecycle of equipment to prolong asset lifespan while reducing the total cost of ownership for customers.
Read more...
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency through advanced risk-based modelling
IT in Manufacturing
Now, more than ever, capital and operational cost can be reduced while enhancing operational safety and increasing production uptime by applying transformative methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling.
Read more...
Laying the groundwork in IT/OT
IT in Manufacturing
In the realm of manufacturing, the core mandate is to deliver value to stakeholders. For many in the industry, this is best achieved through a risk-averse approach. Only upon establishing a robust foundation should a business consider venturing into advanced optimisation or cutting-edge technological innovations such as industrial AI.
Read more...
Looking into the future of machine vision
Omron Electronics
IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant transformation in all areas of industrial automation, and machine vision is no exception. Omron’s AI-powered machine vision systems seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art algorithms, enabling machines to analyse and interpret visual data meticulously.
Read more...
Driving digital transformation in the truck industry
Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Tatra Trucks, a leading truck manufacturer in Czechia, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software including Teamcenter software for product lifecycle management and the Mendix low code platform to help increase production volume and strengthen its ability to manufacture vehicles that meet specific customer requirements.
Read more...
Opinion piece: Digital twins in manufacturing – design, optimise and expand
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Digital twin technology can help create better products, fast. It can also transform the work of product development. This strong statement from McKinsey reinforces how far digital twins have come in manufacturing.
Read more...
Asset tracking is key to driving operational excellence and sustainable growth
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Asset tracking plays a critical role in the success of industrial businesses. By effectively managing and monitoring assets, companies can optimise their operations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently. This leads to improved productivity and reduced costs.
Read more...
printer friendly version