Drone Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, operating, recovering and packing down drone activities. It supports risk management by addressing flight conditions, work areas, equipment, batteries and emergency responses.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan flight activities and assess proposed risks
• Inspect the site, airspace, ground conditions and access
• Set up exclusion areas and manage access
• Complete pre-start checks of the drone and controller
• Manage batteries, charging and transport
• Assess weather and visibility before flight
• Launch, climb, conduct flights and maintain visual contact
• Carry out surveillance, advertising footage and farm-monitoring flights
• Respond to flight emergencies and recover the drone
• Pack down equipment and close out the activity

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out drone activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cwlth), Part 101 — Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets.
• CASA drone safety rules, registration, accreditation, licensing and operational requirements applicable to the aircraft and proposed flight.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only; confirm adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of plant in the workplace (guidance only; confirm adoption in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Rural plant Code of Practice 2024 — drone training, visual line-of-sight and CASA compliance guidance.
• AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protective equipment where respirators are required by an SDS; AS/NZS 1337.1 eye protection; AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 high-visibility garments.
• Model Codes and technical standards are guidance unless adopted or otherwise made applicable in the relevant jurisdiction or contract.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections