Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, are being used on construction sites to measure everything from stockpiles and quality of work installed to the amount of work performed.

UAS Checklist for Construction

This checklist will help construction site supervision ensure that critical activities such as performing risk assessments, preflight briefings, inspections, and pilot qualification reviews take place before a UAS flight.

UAS Safety ProcedureYes No NA

1. The UAS safety procedure for the flight was reviewed and contains the following:a. Responsibilities, duties, flight procedures and safety standards

b. A preflight checklist

c. A risk assessment methodology

d. Privacy best practices

Supporting Information1. To reduce the risk of a UAS incident, contractors or vendors

should have a remote UAS safety procedure.The following are elements that should be included:a. The procedure should outline who is responsible for

risk assessment and preplanning, protecting the public, safe operation, and maintenance of the UAS.

b. Identify where the UAS should be operated and how to protect the public and workers from injury.

c. How to ensure that privacy is considered and who to obtain permission from if needed.

d. Maintain a log that indicates flight path to help address privacy issues.

Controls still needed? Elaborate here.

Pilot in Command and Visual ObserverYes No NA

2. The remote Pilot in Command (PIC)’s pilot certificate has been supplied and reviewed.

3. The PIC’s qualifications, training, and hours of flight have been reviewed.

4. The PIC completed a self-assessment of their physical and mental capabilities to help ensure they can operate the UAS safely.

5. Visual Observers (VO) have been trained on the UAS capabilities, their responsibilities, and how to effectively communicate with the PIC.

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Supporting Information2. A UAS pilot must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate

with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a pilot who does hold a remote pilot certificate.

3. By reviewing the training and qualifications of the pilot you help ensure they have been properly vetted.

4. The PIC should not operate a UAS if he or she knows they have a physical or mental condition that would interfere with its safe operation. For example, they should self-assess their health and consider if they are taking medications, have ingested alcohol, and are fatigued. Other factors to consider include feeling rushed to get the work done.

5. The PIC may choose to use a VO to supplement their situational awareness and line of sight. The VO must be able to effectively communicate with the pilot on the position of the aircraft and aid in preventing injury and property damage.

Controls still needed? Elaborate here.

UASYes No NA

6. A documented visual and functional preflight inspection of the UAS been completed by the PIC to assess the airworthiness of the aircraft.

7. Operating restrictions and limitations of the UAS have been discussed and reviewed.

8. The UAS is registered with the FAA.

Supporting Information6. A preflight inspection should be conducted in accordance with

the UAS manufacturer’s inspection procedures and include a visual and functional test of the airframe, control surfaces, battery, camera, power plant(s), GPS, and safety devices.In addition the PIC should ascertain if:

– The UAS is balanced when it is loaded per the manufacturer’s instructions. – There is sufficient power for the UAS to continue

flight operations from takeoff to landing. – The camera and other attached objects are secured.

7. Manufacturer’s manuals should be available for review by all involved in the flight to ensure that everyone understands the limitations and capabilities of the UAS and how these factors can impact safety on the jobsite.

8. UAS that weigh more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds are required to have registration markings on them and be registered with the FAA.

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Controls still needed? Elaborate here.

Risk AssessmentYes No NA

9. A documented risk assessment of the UAS operating environment and jobsite has been performed.

10. Potential obstacles such as power lines, crane booms, and other structures have been identified and addressed during the risk assessment.

11. The anticipated flight path has been documented.

12. A log will be kept of the flight.

13. Federal, state, and local commercial UAS regulations have been reviewed.

14. The PIC will be able to see the UAS at all times during the flight.

15. Locations of restricted airspace and temporary airspace restrictions have been identified and reviewed in relation to the jobsite.

16. Current and future weather conditions have been reviewed.

17. The area under the flight path has been restricted to prevent work crews not involved in the operation from accessing the operating area.

18. Emergency procedures and a contingency plan have been developed for the operation.

19. All personnel participating in the operation have attended a review of the risk assessment, emergency procedures, and contingency plan.

Supporting Information9. Prior to the day of the flight the PIC should conduct a risk assessment

of the jobsite. For example, the assessment should include a review of weather, visibility, ground and air hazards, flight restrictions, location of workers and the public, privacy issues, as well as structures and equipment that could be negatively impacted should the UAS fall.

10. Potential obstacles that could be a hazard during flight should be identified and addressed during the risk assessment process. To mitigate the risk of these hazards, steps should be taken to improve their visibility and use of VO’s to help improve the PIC’s perspective.

11. The flight path should be documented and available for review by the workers on the site.

12. A log should be kept indicating where the UAS flew to help address privacy issues.13. Federal, state, and local regulations should be reviewed because there may

be additional requirements in addition to those stipulated by the FAA.14. The remote PIC must be able to see the UAS at all times during

flight. The UAS must be operated close enough to the PIC to ensure visibility requirements are met during the flight.

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15. The PIC should review local airspace restrictions and temporary restrictions to ensure they do not fly into restricted airspace.

16. Current and future weather conditions should be reviewed to ensure that the UAS is not negatively impacted by wind, rain, or snow and there are no obstructions to visibility such as clouds or smoke during operations.

17. UAS are prohibited from operating over people not involved in the operation. A plan of action should be developed to ensure workers and the public remain clear of the operating area, remain indoors, or remain under cover until such time that the UAS flight has ended.

18. Emergency procedures and a contingency plan should be developed to ensure the flight crew responds correctly to an emergency or incident.

19. Prior to the flight, a preflight briefing and review of the risk assessment should be conducted with everyone involved in the operation. This will help ensure everyone understands the scope of work, and the hazards and controls that will be implemented to reduce risk.

Controls still needed? Elaborate here.

Personnel Signoff

Project Supervisor(s)

Remote Pilot in Command

Visual Observer(s)

Work Crew

ReferencesFAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems: https://www.faa.gov/uas

Federal Register Rule on UAS (complete text): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/06/28/2016-15079/operation-and-certification-of-small-unmanned-aircraft-systems

UAS Advisory Circular (additional guidance on UAS safety): https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/AC_107-2_AFS-1_Signed.pdf

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The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the appropriate code-, standard-, or regulation-making authority for interpretation or clarification. Provided that you always reproduce our copyright notice and any other notice of rights, disclaimers, and limitations, and provided that no copy in whole or in part is transferred, sold, lent, or leased to any third party, you may make and distribute copies of this publication for your internal use.

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