ABSTRACT
Despite the enhancement of virtual reality (VR) in health and safety (H&S) training in the construction industry, Zimbabwe has had slow implementation due to contextual limitations. Determining existent barriers is fundamental to resolving this anomaly. Therefore, this study sought to identify barriers to VR implementation for H&S training of construction workers in Zimbabwe and examine their inter-relatedness. A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction professionals and H&S trainers in construction companies. The univariate mean score showed that high initial cost and technological unawareness were the highest barriers. Interrelated barriers comprised economic and technological constraints, business strategic limitations, VR utilisation inadequacy, stakeholder constraints and VR development challenges. The prominent role of the private sector is important in implementing VR in H&S training of construction workers by reducing implementation costs, especially in developing countries. The failure to withdraw in-depth qualitative data was a limitation of the study.
