Training is considered as one of the most important component in the process industry. The progress in development of training methods with respect to the increased complexity of industrial processes has not been significantly aligned. The role and cognitive tasks of operators are intensified with automation, computerization and mechanization, thereby, increasing not only the complexity but also the sensitivity of the consequences of their actions on the process. The aim of the present study is to assess cognitive performance, skills and reactions of industrial operator(s) under abnormal situations as a function of distinct training methods. In particular, in this work, we experimentally analyzed two training methods: PowerPoint presentation and 3D virtual environment. The results showed that the operators trained by means of a 3D environment performed better, when tested under emergency conditions as compared to other operators trained using the other classic approaches.