An industrial visualization system defines and enforces a virtual safety shield comprising a three-dimensional space surrounding a wearer of a client device. The dimensions of the virtual safety shield are defined by a specified safe distance surrounding the user that allows sufficient reaction time in response to notification that the wearer is at risk of interacting with a safety zone, hazardous machinery, or vehicles within the plant. If a boundary of a safety zone or hazardous equipment falls within the three-dimensional space defined by the virtual safety shield, the system sends a notification to the user's client device, or places the hazardous equipment in a safe operating mode.