Recommendations and best practices for incorporating safety monitoring with drones into safety planning and control at construction sites

Abstract The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones for safety management at construction sites is notable for reducing inspection time and improving risk identification. However, there are still gaps in the way of an effective use of the information provided by this technology in Safety Planning and Control (SPC). This study aimed to propose recommendations and best practices for incorporating safety monitoring with UAS for the continuous improvement of SPC. The research strategy adopted was a case study, involving 22 inspections with drones and best practice implementations in monthly and weekly cycles. This implementation improved the quality of safety planning, increased the interaction between the production and safety teams, monitored the action plans for managing non-conformities, and disseminated the results of inspections with a focus on workers through visual panels and Daily Safety Dialogues. This study provides a better understanding of safety monitoring with UAS for the continuous improvement of safety management, increasing interaction between safety and production teams, and improving decision-making.