Construction Law

Reducing Drone Risk on Construction Sites Part 2 featured image

Reducing Drone Risk on Construction Sites Part 2

One of the most important innovations to impact the construction industry is the emergence of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles. The application of drones represent a tremendous push towards making the jobsite safer and construction work more efficient. Drones give construction professionals an overhead view of a construction site. This view can be used for BIM models, assessing site conditions, or viewing and analyzing work flow.

Unfortunately, the use of drones comes at a risk to construction professionals. Any Lakeland construction attorney will tell you that between disputes among stakeholders and the potential for injury, there are numerous risk factors present in construction. Adding an expensive piece of machinery overhead means that greater measures must be put into place to reduce liability.

In this two-part series, our Lakeland construction attorneys provide several ways that you can utilize the power of drones for your project while reducing the risk. For more tips, visit part one of this series.

Training

In addition to being certified to fly a drone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), your drone operators should be trained in how your company would like to conduct flights. Your policies should reflect best practices and include:

  • Standard operating procedures, including preflight checklists and what to do in case of an emergency.
  • FAA regulatory requirements

Record Keeping

For the purposes of maintaining insurance and dealing with accidents, it’s critical to keep meticulous records of everything involving drone use. Keeping flight data is particularly important. Also, hold on to the flight plan and any incidents reports. This information can be analyzed to ensure the effectiveness of your drone program.

Preflight Assessment

Your preflight procedures should include an assessment of a variety of items, including:

  • Drone: Is it in working condition? Are there any visible issues?
  • Weather conditions: Is it windy? Is the weather conducive for flying?
  • Auxiliary items: Are items like the camera in working order?

To request a consultation with a Lakeland construction lawyer, please call us today at 813.579.3278 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.