Excavator Simulator Package Trains Underground Utility Safety

Simformotion LLC has released the Cat Simulators Next Gen Excavator Utilities package, a training tool for underground water, gas and electrical utility work. The package lets operators practice excavation techniques in a virtual environment before performing utility work on an actual jobsite.

The system includes four new scenarios. In the water utilities exposure exercise, operators uncover a damaged, leaking water line and practice digging techniques to prepare it for repair. In the water utilities extension exercise, operators practice extending a water service line to a building, focused on trenching accuracy and depth control. In the gas utilities exercise, operators expose overlapping gas and water lines in a congested underground setting. In the electric utilities exercise, operators uncover an electrical service line while avoiding overlapping utilities.

Vanessa Price, Vice President of Simformotion, said: "Utility work is one of the highest risk environments an operator can face on a jobsite, and organizations need training tools that reflect that reality. Our new Cat Simulators Next Gen Excavator Utilities system gives learners the opportunity to build confidence, accuracy and safe work habits before they ever step onto a jobsite. It's an investment in workforce readiness that directly supports safer, more efficient operations across the industry."

An online SimScholars curriculum accompanies the package, including an instructor guide, learner guides, videos and quizzes, for use in classroom or remote training settings. Training sessions are recorded and compared against Caterpillar's benchmarks.