# Boosting Safety Protocol Compliance with Eye-Tracking in Chemical Plants
## 1 Introduction  
Workplace safety in high-risk industries, particularly in chemical production, is a critical concern due to complex operational procedures, hazardous materials, and strict regulatory compliance requirements. Despite well-established safety protocols, industrial accidents persist, often attributed to human error, poor hazard recognition, and delayed responses to critical situations. Traditional classroom-based training methods, while informative, lack interactivity and fail to account for real-time attention dynamics. These methods do not adequately measure cognitive engagement or hazard recognition, leading to misaligned focus and delayed emergency responses. The proposed gaze-directed XR training system addresses these gaps by dynamically adjusting feedback based on participants' real-time visual attention, thereby improving procedural compliance and situational awareness [1]. To address these shortcomings, virtual reality (VR) and other extended reality (XR) technologies have emerged as promising solutions, allowing operators to engage in hands-on training within immersive, simulated environments that replicate real-world risks without exposing them to actual danger. While XR-based training offers an interactive and engaging experience, it lacks mechanisms for real-time corrective feedback, which is essential for reinforcing safety compliance. Eye-tracking technology provides a potential solution by monitoring trainees' gaze behavior, enabling instructors to assess whether critical safety elements--such as warning signals, control panels, and hazardous material zones--receive adequate visual attention. Previous studies suggest that integrating eye-tracking with VR enhances hazard detection and reduces cognitive overload by directing user focus to key risk factors [2]. In safety-critical fields like aviation and construction, such systems have been shown to improve hazard recognition and procedural adherence [3]. However, the chemical industry presents unique challenges, such as the need to process multiple dynamic variables and respond rapidly to evolving risks, making the effectiveness of eye-tracking-assisted training in this sector an area requiring further exploration [4]. Although XR technologies have shown potential in domains such as construction and aviation, these implementations rarely address the unique cognitive and procedural demands present in chemical manufacturing. Furthermore, eye-tracking has largely been used as a passive evaluation tool rather than as an active instructional mechanism. This study bridges that gap by proposing a gaze-responsive XR training framework specifically tailored for chemical plant scenarios. Existing research on safety training in industrial settings largely emphasizes procedural learning but does not thoroughly investigate how visual attention influences compliance and emergency response effectiveness [5]. Most current training programs evaluate performance based on standardized tests and procedural checklists, which fail to capture the cognitive and behavioral aspects of hazard perception and real-time decision-making [6]. To fill this gap, there is a need for a structured framework to assess how gaze-directed feedback improves training outcomes and operational safety [7]. The motivation for this research stems from the high frequency of operator errors and the lack of adaptive training systems in chemical manufacturing environments. While XR tools offer immersion, they often fail to deliver timely feedback on operator focus. This study addresses this gap by developing a novel training protocol that uses real-time gaze tracking to enhance attention, decision-making, and procedural adherence. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach through experimental validation, ultimately contributing to safer, more responsive training systems in high-risk sectors.