Risks Associated with Using Drones in Construction for Safety Management

The construction industry, characterized by unique challenges such as working at heights and using heavy equipment, has turned to unmanned aerial systems (UASs), frequently known as drones, to mitigate workplace hazards, improve safety, and enhance productivity. While numerous benefits claimed, application UASs in construction introduces unique safety challenges. The objectives of the present study are (1) to identify risks associated with the use of UASs for construction operations based on a review of existing literature, and (2) to present the identified risks to industry professionals and practitioners using hypothetical case study examples. The study findings indicate that risks associated with the use of UASs in construction can be classified into four categories: operational errors and safety hazards, privacy intrusions and security risks, mechanical and technical failures, and regulatory and legal considerations. After identifying the risks, three hypothetical examples are carefully developed and presented in collaboration with aviation safety experts to help industry people better comprehend risks associated with the use of UASs in construction. Each case study delineates hazards that could emerge on a construction site and explains the connection between these hazards and the utilization of UASs. The presented case studies also recommend risk mitigation strategies and best practices for using UASs for construction operations. The present study contributes to practice by aiding construction companies in risk awareness, safety training, and risk mitigation for UAS applications in construction.