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Unmanned aerial vehicles in construction and worker safety.

Howard J; Murashov V; Branche CM

Am J Ind Med 2018 Jan; 61(1):3-10

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22782

20050493

Applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military, recreational, public, and commercial uses have expanded significantly in recent years. In the construction industry, UAVs are used primarily for monitoring of construction workflow and job site logistics, inspecting construction sites to assess structural integrity, and for maintenance assessments. As is the case with other emerging technologies, occupational safety assessments of UAVs lag behind technological advancements. UAVs may create new workplace hazards that need to be evaluated and managed to ensure their safe operation around human workers. At the same time, UAVs can perform dangerous tasks, thereby improving workplace safety. This paper describes the four major uses of UAVs, including their use in construction, the potential risks of their use to workers, approaches for risk mitigation, and the important role that safety and health professionals can play in ensuring safe approaches to the their use in the workplace.

Robotics; Remote control; Automation; Construction; Construction industry; Construction equipment; Author Keywords: construction; drone; FAA; part 107; worker safety

John Howard, MD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 395 E Street, S.W., Suite 9200, Washington 20201, DC

AJIMD8

20180101

Other

jhoward1@cdc.gov

2018

1

0271-3586

OD

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

DC