PORTLAND, Maine—The MEMIC Safety Research Center has awarded a $30,000 grant to Oklahoma State University researchers to develop virtual reality training materials aimed at preventing serious workplace injuries in manufacturing and construction environments.

The research team, led by Dr. Diana Rodriguez Coca and Dr. Leslie Rex Stockel from OSU's Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology department, will focus on preventing "Line of Fire" accidents — a significant cause of workplace fatalities where workers are struck by or caught between equipment due to their physical positioning.

"We are excited to see this program continue to flourish" said Michael Bourque, MEMIC Group President & CEO. "With each grant cycle, our partnership with academia strengthens our ability to address critical workplace safety challenges. MEMIC grants enable researchers to intensively examine the real-world safety issues our Loss Control teams encounter daily, demonstrating our relentless commitment to developing evidence-based solutions that protect workers and help businesses thrive. The research generated through this program directly translates into practical safety improvements that reduce both the frequency and severity of workplace injuries."

The research is particularly timely, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 14% of workplace fatalities in 2021 were related to contact with materials, including being struck by, struck against, or caught between equipment or objects. The National Safety Council has identified these types of accidents as the third leading cause of workplace injuries involving days away from work.

"Because the study will be conducted in a virtual reality environment, we can examine hazardous scenarios with no risk to human participants," said Dr. Diana Rodriguez Coca, who leads the FPSET Virtual Reality Studio at Oklahoma State University. "This research will provide valuable results that can be used to expand the field of knowledge and inquiry for the development of future training materials that will reduce both short and long-term impacts to workforce safety and health."

Maryann Hoff, MEMIC SVP, Loss Control and Safety, emphasized the company's commitment to safety innovation: "At MEMIC, we put safety first, and we believe that our commitment to creating opportunities to explore the advancement of workforce safety solutions is what sets us apart. Through this initiative, we fund research focused on preventing workforce injuries and illnesses. We aspire to take things a step further by leveraging technology and data to not only ensure compliance but also to improve the total health of workers."

The two-year research project will involve developing virtual environments in the first year, followed by testing with participants and the development of training materials in the second year. The research team will analyze the effectiveness of the virtual reality training and disseminate their findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

The MEMIC Safety Research Center, established in 2021, facilitates the understanding and prevention of occupational injury and illness in partnership with MEMIC staff, policyholders, and academia. For more information about The MEMIC Safety Research Center and current research initiatives, visit memic.com/research.

About MEMIC
The MEMIC Group includes MEMIC Indemnity Company, MEMIC Casualty Company, and parent company Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company; all rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. The MEMIC Group holds licenses to write workers’ compensation across the entire country. The group insures and serves nearly 21,000 employers and their estimated 300,000 employees with dedicated safety and injury management service teams from Maine to Florida.