Preventing workplace accidents is not only a matter of protecting employees, but also of minimizing financial and operational risks for businesses. In Switzerland, workplace accidents remain a major issue, with 260,000 to nearly 300,000 incidents annually—many of them occurring on construction sites due to non-compliance with safety rules, time pressure, or negligence.
To address this challenge, Suva, in partnership with BearingPoint, has launched Swiss Safety VR, a scalable simulation platform that uses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (XR) to deliver engaging, real-life training scenarios.
From High-Risk Scenarios to Immersive Training
The platform was designed after BearingPoint evaluated how immersive technologies could enhance traditional safety methods. Prototypes were developed around high-risk activities such as:
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Securing heavy loads on construction sites
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Preventing falls from unprotected areas
Unlike conventional training formats, Swiss Safety VR delivers 20-minute interactive simulations that allow workers to experience the real-world consequences of unsafe practices—improving knowledge retention, engagement, and compliance.
The system was built with scalability and usability in mind, supported by an operating model, a robust technological architecture, and structured train-the-trainer programs to ensure smooth integration into corporate and educational settings.
Collaboration as a Success Factor
A key differentiator of Swiss Safety VR is its collaborative development model. Suva and BearingPoint co-invested in content creation alongside Swiss trade associations and major construction firms, pooling expertise and resources to accelerate rollout and maximize impact across industries.
“Together with Suva, we are using virtual reality to deliver practical and effective workplace safety training,” said Matthias Roeser, Partner at BearingPoint. “By combining immersive technology with real-life risk scenarios, Swiss Safety VR makes training more engaging, more impactful, and more scalable. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation: we’ve harnessed advanced technology to enhance workplace safety while improving efficiency and controlling costs.”
Democratizing Safety Training
Swiss Safety VR is being made available free of charge to all organizations—including small businesses and Swiss schools—removing budgetary barriers to advanced training. The platform runs on the Meta Quest 3 headset and is offered in German, French, Italian, and English.
By reducing the need for costly on-site workshops, companies can achieve significant time and cost savings while still raising safety standards. Early results show that participants retain safety information better compared to traditional classroom or e-learning methods.
“The Swiss Safety VR platform allows us to offer truly engaging and effective training experiences that not only motivate participants but significantly improve safety outcomes,” said Nathanaël Bonvin, Programme Manager for New Technologies at Suva. “We chose to work with BearingPoint because their expertise and innovative approach were a perfect match for Suva’s commitment to advancing safety training.”
The Bottom Line
With Swiss Safety VR, Suva and BearingPoint are reimagining workplace safety training. By combining immersive technology with proven safety expertise, the platform makes compliance more engaging, scalable, and effective—ultimately helping to reduce Switzerland’s persistently high accident rate.
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
