Sri Lanka ODEL Department Store Expansion Project

I. Orientation & Background of the Safety Experience Center

The Sri Lanka ODEL Project Safety Experience Center is the first standardized construction site safety training center in Colombo, established by China Construction Third Engineering Bureau (CSCEC 3B). Serving the ODEL Department Store Expansion Project (2018–2020), the center was one of the core pillars that supported the project in winning the 2020 International Safety Award (Distinction + Country Winner) from the British Safety Council.

Constructor: China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd.

Location: ODEL Project Construction Site, District 7, Colombo

Commissioning Date: Early commencement stage in 2018

Core Role: A mandatory pre-job practical training base for local workers, offering bilingual instruction (English / Sinhalese) to cover both Chinese and Sri Lankan employees.

II. Core Functional Zones & Experience Items

The center utilizes a three-dimensional model combining "Physical Experience + VR Simulation + Practical Assessment" to cover high-risk scenarios such as deep foundation pits, high-altitude operations, and temporary electricity usage:

1. Physical Experience Zone (Mandatory Basic Training)

Helmet Impact Experience: Simulates falling objects from heights to visually demonstrate the protective role of safety helmets.

Safety Harness Fall Experience: A sudden fall from a 2.5-meter height to help workers master correct fastening and escape postures.

Opening Fall Experience: A $1\text{m} \times 1\text{m}$ simulated floor opening with a cylinder-driven trapdoor, allowing workers to experience the impact of weightlessness.

Comprehensive Electricity Usage Experience: Simulates electric leakage and step voltage, using safe currents to physically warn against non-compliant electrical usage.

Firefighting Experience: Uses "cold flames" to simulate six types of fire scenarios, providing hands-on practice for the standard extinguisher operation procedure ("Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep").

Balance Beam / Scaffolding Experience: Utilizes height differences and loose planks to train workers in balance and risk anticipation during high-altitude operations.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Display: Instruction on the correct wearing and application scenarios of safety helmets, safety harnesses, safety shoes, etc.

2. VR Virtual Experience Zone (Replication of High-Risk Scenarios)

Deep Foundation Pit Collapse Simulation: Recreates emergencies such as slope instability and water gushing in a 15.75-meter ultra-deep foundation pit.

High-Altitude Fall VR: A 15-meter scaffolding platform where a loose plank triggers a fall, utilizing force feedback to convey the impact.

Object Striking / Mechanical Injury: Simulates accidents involving falling rebars/formwork and equipment entanglement to reinforce protection awareness.

3. Practical Assessment Zone (Certification for On-site Work)

First Aid Training: Mock assessments for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and trauma bandaging.

Hazard Identification: A real-scene mock-up room where workers must identify over 20 types of hazards, such as missing edge protection and messy wiring.

Safety Knowledge Quiz: A bilingual question bank covering local safety regulations and project-specific execution plans.

Partial Equipment Display

III. Operational & Management Highlights

Full Bilingual Coverage: All textbooks, signage, and explanations are available in both English and Sinhalese, accommodating 90% of local workers and improving training efficiency by 40%.

Mandatory Pre-job Access: All personnel (both Chinese and Sri Lankan) must complete 3 hours of experience + 1 hour of assessment. Only those who pass and receive a "Safety Access Card" are allowed entry to the site.

Localized Faculty: 5 local safety officers were trained and certified to deliver lectures. Integrating local cases has significantly enhanced empathy and acceptance among workers.

Data-Driven Tracking: Real-name registration combined with digital training files records experience duration and assessment scores, fully linking training data with personnel mobilization and demobilization management.

IV. Value & Impact

Project Level: Achieved zero fatalities and zero serious injuries; the minor injury rate dropped by 60% year-on-year, providing solid support for winning the International Safety Award.

Industry Level: Set a safety benchmark for construction sites in Sri Lanka, praised by the local client as the "No. 1 Construction Skills and Safety Training Base in Sri Lanka."

Local Community Level: Cultivated over 2,000 certified skilled workers for Sri Lanka, exporting Chinese safety management standards and experience.

Cultural Level: Embedded the "People-First" philosophy into its operations, gaining high recognition from the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and becoming a flagship symbol of friendly cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.