VICARIA: Web-Based Distance Learning for Risk Management and Control

This paper is based on research carried out as part of the VICARIA project, an interactive tool which was developed from an EC Leonardo grant, to provide distance learning and virtual classrooms in the field of risk management and control. Research has shown that the majority of the accidents and failures in industry are due to a lack of awareness in respect to industrial risks and human errors. Companies, both large and SMEs, are responsible to provide appropriate training especially in sensitive and critical areas such as risk assessment and management; unfortunately many consider, risk analysis training to be expensive, costly and time consuming. The project is aimed to overcome certain barriers to training which are often encountered in industry. Firstly, use of the VICARIA system allows for the greater flexibility and availability of the trainee as he or she can choose the time for training, furthermore it is cost-effective i.e. reduced travel and subsistence expenses and it enables managers to attend and assist in courses, allowing them to judge the relevancy and quality of training provided. Finally VICARIA also offers specialised and the latest knowledge in the specific fields of risk analysis and management. This system includes accessibility, inter-operability, durability and re-usability aspects and uses open standards with respect to platform and content. This paper highlights the modular course structure, the presentation of e-learning material and student participation.