Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a safe, consistent method for using drones to assist with crane inspections on Australian worksites. It helps businesses reduce work at height exposure, improve inspection quality, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and civil aviation requirements.

Using drones to support crane inspections can significantly reduce the need for workers to access high-risk areas, but it also introduces new hazards related to aviation safety, privacy, and site coordination. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a practical, step‑by‑step framework for safely integrating drone technology into your crane inspection regime on Australian construction, mining, infrastructure and industrial sites. It covers everything from pre‑inspection planning and airspace checks through to on‑site coordination, communication with crane crews, data capture, and post‑inspection review.

The SOP is designed to help businesses meet their WHS duties while working within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for remotely piloted aircraft. It standardises how drone inspections are requested, authorised, conducted, and recorded, reducing the reliance on informal practices or one‑off instructions. By implementing this procedure, organisations can minimise work at height, enhance the detection of structural defects and component wear, and maintain a clear audit trail of inspection activities—supporting safer cranes, fewer unplanned outages, and stronger regulatory compliance.

Key Benefits

• Reduce work at height exposure by replacing many physical access inspections with remote drone observations.
• Improve inspection quality through consistent, repeatable flight paths, high‑resolution imagery and structured reporting.
• Ensure alignment with WHS obligations and CASA requirements for drone operations on and around worksites.
• Streamline coordination between crane crews, drone pilots and site management to minimise downtime and disruption.
• Provide defensible documentation and records to support maintenance decisions, incident investigations and regulator enquiries.

Who is this for?

• Crane Owners and Operators
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Plant and Fleet Managers
• Site Supervisors and Forepersons
• Engineering Inspectors and Certifiers
• Maintenance Planners
• Licensed Drone (RPA) Pilots and Operators

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during manual crane inspections
• Falling objects from inspectors, tools or loose items at height
• Drone collision with cranes, structures, plant or people
• Loss of drone control due to electromagnetic interference, wind or equipment failure
• Distraction of crane operators and doggers during lifting operations
• Contact with overhead powerlines or other electrical infrastructure
• Privacy and data handling risks related to aerial imaging
• Traffic management conflicts between drone operations and mobile plant movements

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (Crane Types, RPA, ReOC, RePL, NO-FLY Zones)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Site Management, Crane Owner, Drone Operator, Spotters)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements (CASA and WHS)
• 6.0 Pre‑Inspection Planning and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Airspace, Weather and Site Condition Checks
• 8.0 Crane Isolation, Exclusion Zones and Lift Status Requirements
• 9.0 Drone and Equipment Pre‑Start Checks
• 10.0 Communication Protocols with Crane Crews and Site Control
• 11.0 Step‑by‑Step Drone‑Assisted Crane Inspection Procedure
• 12.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures (Including Work at Height Substitution)
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures (Loss of Control, Collision, Near‑Miss, Injury)
• 14.0 Data Management, Image Storage and Privacy Considerations
• 15.0 Post‑Inspection Review, Reporting and Corrective Actions
• 16.0 Maintenance of Drones and Inspection Equipment
• 17.0 Recordkeeping and Audit Requirements
• 18.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory regulations)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 101 – Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets
• CASA – Advisory Circulars relating to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
• AS 2550 series – Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (relevant parts for inspection and maintenance)
• AS 1418 series – Cranes, hoists and winches (design and operation requirements)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines