How Drone Inspections Improve Health & Safety on UK Sites
- Gareth Smith
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Health and safety is a top priority on any UK site—whether you manage a hospital, school, warehouse, or office block. Traditional inspection methods often involve sending people to dangerous heights, working on scaffolding, or accessing difficult and sometimes unstable structures.
That’s why more organisations are turning to drones.
At SkyScan Solutions, we help clients reduce on-site risk and improve compliance by using drone technology to carry out inspections safely from the ground. Here’s how drones are making UK sites safer, more compliant, and more efficient.
The Risk of Working at Height
According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK. Even with safety measures in place, the risk is never zero—and in many cases, inspections themselves don’t require physical access if the right tools are used.
That’s where drones offer a huge advantage.
With a drone, we can inspect roofs, facades, gutters, cladding, and high-level equipment without a single person leaving the ground. No ladders, no cherry pickers, no scaffolding—and no unnecessary risk.
Drones Help You Stay Compliant with UK Regulations
Whether you’re adhering to CDM regulations, internal risk assessments, or specific industry protocols (like EWS1 fire checks), drones help by providing clear, documented visuals while avoiding high-risk methods of access.
Our inspections are carried out by CAA-certified pilots, and all footage is geo-tagged and timestamped—ideal for:
Audits and compliance records
Health & safety documentation
Contractor and board-level reporting
And with fast turnaround times, you can act on any safety concerns quickly—before they escalate.
Use Case: Retail Warehouse in Derbyshire
A facilities manager contacted us after a contractor refused to access a warehouse roof due to safety concerns. Within 24 hours, we carried out a drone inspection, highlighting water pooling near an HVAC unit. The client was able to arrange remedial work—without any staff working at height or delays to site operations.
Benefits of Drone Inspections for Health & Safety
Zero working at height – Reduce risk and liability
Faster than manual inspections – No permits or scaffolding needed
Non-disruptive – Sites remain open during surveys
Supports documentation – Easy-to-share imagery and reports
Ideal for fragile or complex roofs – Avoid roof damage or access issues
Improves contractor safety planning – Clear visuals before any site work begins
Who Should Be Using Drones for H&S?
Facilities managers
Health & safety officers
Construction project managers
Surveyors and compliance leads
Public sector property teams
If your team manages inspections, repairs, or routine checks, drones can drastically improve safety while reducing downtime.
Our Approach to Safe Drone Work
We don’t just fly drones—we plan each inspection with care. That means:
Pre-flight risk assessments
Site-specific flight planning
CAA-compliant operations
Full insurance coverage
Respect for privacy and airspace laws
With SkyScan Solutions, you’re not just staying compliant—you’re going above and beyond to protect your people and property.
Conclusion
Workplace safety doesn’t have to come with compromise. Drone inspections give you a clear view of your site without putting anyone at risk. They’re faster, safer, and often more affordable than traditional inspection methods.
If you’re serious about compliance and reducing workplace risk, it’s time to bring drones into your safety strategy.
Ready to inspect without putting anyone at risk?
Contact SkyScan Solutions for fast, fully compliant drone inspections across the UK.
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