SafeSim Design

SafeSim Design (SSD) is a digital game-based tool developed for designers (e.g., architects and engineers). This immersive, single‑player experience is designed to reinforce the principles of Design for Safety (DfS), enabling users to identify design-related hazards and apply effective controls within a realistic virtual setting.

This study is funded by SkillsFuture Singapore under Workforce Development Applied Research Fund (WDARF) Grant [GA19-05]. The contributions of the IES DfS workgroup and other anonymous practitioners are greatly appreciated.

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Design and Development

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Dataset & Toolkit

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Certification & Awards

Our learning outcomes

By the end of the digital game-based learning (DGBL), learners can:

Utilise their roles as designers to apply the hierarchy of control in DfS process

Identify common design risks that can affect the safety and health of workers

Evaluate design risks based on severity and likelihood, risk levels and detailed safety review

Identify industry standards, guidelines, and norms when mitigating design risks

Critique different design alternatives to eliminate or reduce design risks

Formulate alternative design changes to manage design risks

Our approach

Overview of SSD

Four stages of varying difficulty

Different design limitations to address different learning outcomes

Two phases at each stage

Identification & Mitigation

We adopt a 3D simulation game-based learning approach, and combine with authentic learning framework, that immerses learners in realistic scenarios, enabling them to apply technical knowledge, exercise critical thinking, and make decisions in safe, risk-free environments. We developed this flowchart to help learners differentiate design risks and operational hazards.

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Key feature #1

Mr Chief Designer (Mr CD)

Introduction to Mr CD as the role of a “teacher”

  • Players to follow the instruction carefully
  • Provided the players with “model” answer to allow them to compare answers

Setting the context

  • Role of players in the game
  • Provide the objective which is to consider the situation from DfS point of view
  • Teach how to use the controls
Mr CD introducing the context for the learners after launching the game for the first time
Mr CD introducing the context for the learners after launching the game for the first time
Key feature #2

Phase 1

Identifying design risk

Capturing design risks (DR)

  • Introduction of operating hazards (OH) as red herrings
  • Allows players to assess the captured risk
  • Train players to differentiate DR and OH

Answering MCQ related to DR

  • Provide immediate feedback
  • Provide hints and explanation to reinforce DfS concepts
Players must select the appropriate option
Players must select the appropriate option
Immediate feedback with explanations will be given
Immediate feedback with explanations will be given
Key feature #3

Phase 1

Severity and likelihood ratings

Rate DR based on the severity and likelihood

  • Using the 5-by-5 risk matrix
  • Based on the Risk Management Code of Practice

Recommended ratings

  • Can see their ratings against the recommended ratings
  • “Model” ratings and explanations given
Players to click on the circles to rate
Players to click on the circles to rate
Learners can check their ratings against the model answer
Learners can check their ratings against the model answer
Key feature #4

Phase 2

Providing mitigation measures

Choosing the most suitable measure

  • Ticks indicate suitability for the scenario (based on hierarchy of control)
  • Some options are NOT design-related controls or changes
  • Immediate response with explanation

Ability to suggest alternative solutions

  • Enable creativity for players to develop feasible design controls or solution
  • Sharing of ideas and expertise

Unlocking bonus rounds

  • Allowing additional “free play” for players to explore other forms of mitigation control
  • Increase motivation for players and acts an incentives for them to get the correct option
Players can select the mitigation options
Players can select the mitigation options
Players can shift the PV panels as part of the bonus round
Players can shift the PV panels as part of the bonus round

Dataset and Toolkit

Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) Dataset and Toolkit

A comprehensive dataset and toolkit to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital game-based learning for training and education.

Deliver high-impact learning through game-based experiences.

DGBL Toolkit for Professional Upskilling

Are you looking to integrate digital game-based learning (DGBL) into your training or professional development programmes? The DGBL Toolkit offers a comprehensive, research-backed framework to help course developers, educators, and industry professionals design effective, engaging, and purposeful game-based learning.

What's inside?

This free toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on:

  • Profiling your learners to tailor gameplay and content
  • Designing course objectives and assessments aligned with professional learning outcomes
  • Building authentic and motivating game experiences using proven gamification elements
  • Collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams for seamless development

Why use this Toolkit?

  • Grounded in real-world case studies from the construction industry
  • Features practical templates, guiding questions, and a full walkthrough of a live DGBL course
  • Enables you to create immersive training that improves knowledge retention, skills application, and learner motivation

Certificates and Awards

Annual Digital Education Award (ADEA)

Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) 2024

The ADEA was established to encourage the innovative use of digital technologies in teaching and to formally recognise colleagues at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who demonstrated excellence in enhancing student learning through digital means. The award highlighted impactful projects that exemplified thoughtful and effective digital integration in pedagogy, contributing meaningfully to student engagement and learning outcomes.

Bronze award - Asia

Reimagine Education Awards 2022

This award recognises the project for having achieved a world-class standard in educational innovation, with outstanding levels of scalability, innovation, and efficacy. It was selected as one of the leading entries from 1200 entries by a panel of 400 international higher education expert judges.

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Publications

Design for safety training for construction professionals: A digital game-based learning approach.

Tay, J., Safiena, S., Lan, T., Lim, M. S., & Goh, Y. M. (2024).

SafeSim Design: A digital game-based learning approach to address Design for Safety (DfS) competency.

Safiena, S., Tay, J., Miang Goh, Y., & Lim, M. (2023).

Designing digital game-based learning for professional upskilling: A systematic literature review.

Tay, J., Goh, Y. M., Safiena, S., & Bound, H. (2022).

Check out our other research areas and current projects!