Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a safe, compliant and efficient approach to using drones (remotely piloted aircraft) for workplace inspections across Australian sites. It combines aviation and WHS requirements to control risks to workers, the public, property and airspace while enabling high-quality visual inspections of hard-to-reach assets.

Using drones for inspections can significantly reduce the need for working at height, entering confined spaces, or accessing hazardous environments. However, it also introduces its own set of safety, privacy and regulatory risks that must be carefully managed under Australian WHS and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements. This SOP provides a structured, end-to-end framework for planning, conducting and reviewing drone-based inspections so that organisations can gain the benefits of this technology without compromising safety or compliance.

The procedure covers all critical elements of safe drone operations in a workplace context, including pre-flight risk assessments, airspace and site approvals, communication protocols, public and worker exclusion zones, and emergency response for loss of control or crash incidents. It clarifies the roles of the drone pilot, visual observers, site management and WHS personnel, and standardises documentation such as flight logs, pre-start checklists and inspection records. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce reliance on high-risk access methods, and build a repeatable, auditable process for drone inspections across construction, infrastructure, utilities, mining, agriculture and facilities management environments.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the need for high-risk access methods such as scaffolding, elevated work platforms and rope access by safely substituting drone-based inspections.
• Ensure compliance with CASA rules for remotely piloted aircraft and Australian WHS duties when operating drones over or near workplaces and the public.
• Standardise planning, risk assessment, and documentation for every drone inspection, improving consistency and auditability across multiple sites.
• Minimise the likelihood and impact of drone-related incidents, including collisions, property damage, near misses and public complaints.
• Streamline asset inspection workflows by integrating drone operations, data capture requirements and reporting into a single, clear procedure.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Asset and Facilities Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Certified Drone (RPA) Pilots
• Engineering Managers
• Risk and Compliance Managers
• Infrastructure Inspectors

Hazards Addressed

• Collision of drone with workers, structures, plant or vehicles
• Uncontrolled descent or fly-away resulting in injury or property damage
• Distraction of workers or plant operators leading to secondary incidents
• Contact with overhead powerlines and electrical infrastructure
• Privacy breaches and unauthorised recording of individuals or neighbouring properties
• Manual handling and ergonomic risks when transporting and setting up drone equipment
• Environmental exposure such as heat stress, UV exposure and adverse weather during outdoor flights
• Battery-related hazards including fire, thermal runaway and chemical exposure
• Airspace incursions and interference with other aircraft in controlled or restricted areas
• Noise and visual nuisance to nearby communities or sensitive receptors

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (Drone, RPA, ReOC, RePL, VLOS, BVLOS, etc.)
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, WHS Manager, Drone Pilot, Visual Observer, Site Supervisor)
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Equipment Requirements and Specifications (Drones, batteries, controllers, payloads, software)
• 7.0 Pre-Flight Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Airspace, Site Permissions and Stakeholder Notifications
• 9.0 Site Setup, Exclusion Zones and Public/Worker Protection
• 10.0 Pre-Start Checks and Drone Inspection Checklist
• 11.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Flight Operations
• 12.0 Data Capture, Image Management and Privacy Controls
• 13.0 Post-Flight Procedures, Shutdown and Debrief
• 14.0 Battery Handling, Charging and Storage Requirements
• 15.0 Incident, Near Miss and Equipment Failure Reporting
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures (Loss of Control, Crash, Fire, Medical Emergency)
• 17.0 Maintenance, Calibration and Record Keeping
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) Part 101 – Unmanned aircraft and rockets
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – Advisory Circulars and guidance for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) – in relation to image capture and personal information
• AS/NZS 60079 and relevant electrical safety standards where operating near hazardous areas (where applicable)