Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1099303
30 PalletCentral • January-February 2019 palletcentral.com The UAS also cannot operate more than 400 feet above the ground, except when within 400 feet of a structure, and then it can hover up to 400 feet above the top of the structure. This allows for inspection of rooftops, for example, to see if skylights have proper covers when workers are exposed or to observe work performed by mechanical contractors in those areas. Drones are intended to be mainly used for inspection of areas that are deemed unsafe or difficult for inspectors to reach on foot. Finally, OSHA says that the UAS will not operate over any persons not directly participating in the operation unless they are in a covered structure, or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide protection from a falling drone. Each OSHA UAS inspection will include at least three team members, tripling the sets of eyes looking at your workplace for hazards! The OSHA memo also details the drone "deployment" kit, which includes two-way radios, binoculars, laptops and smart phones, and UV lenses for the UAS camera. After obtaining employer consent (similar to asking if they can videotape an inspection), and notification of personnel, OSHA will evaluate site-specific hazards such as cables, antenna and vehicles, perform a Job Hazard Analysis of the hazards and mitigation for use of UAS on the specific worksite, determine a flight plan (in graphic form, such as a sketch), establish radio communication if needed, brief the team, verify with local law enforcement to ensure compliance (some areas are forbidden to have UAS operate for national security or other reasons, such as being too close to an airport). Then the agency inspection will commence using UAS. SAFETY iStockphoto.com/Oleksii Spesyvtsev