Skip to main content
Marsh logo

Article

Taking off: Drone use in the construction sector

The rise of drone use in the construction industry could soon see them become commonplace on project sites of all sizes across the globe.
Diverse Team of Specialists Pilot Drone on Construction Site. Architectural Engineer and Safety Engineering Inspector Fly Drone on Commercial Building Construction Site Controlling Design and Quality
Person's name and title

By Tom Critchfield , 

Specialty Advisory Risk Partner

16/11/2023 · 3 minute read

The rise of drone use in the construction industry could soon see them become commonplace on project sites of all sizes across the globe. The potential benefits are undeniable, from inspecting hard to reach areas to gathering data through aerial imagery. However, capitalising on this technological advancement comes with risks that may have significant implications for existing insurance policies.

History

In the past, construction companies have used open sources, such as Google Earth, to obtain aerial images. However, these images may be:

  • Out of date for their intended purpose.
  • Low resolution.
  • Covered by clouds.

One alternative approach has been to purchase better quality aerial images; yet, the same issues often remain.   

Global positioning systems (GPS) and total station positioning equipment have been used to develop site topographies. This requires teams to physically walk the site and collect data points. While drone technology is not yet as accurate as physical topographic surveys, and as such not in a position to completely replace this activity, drones can currently support and enhance them.

The scene

Drones, otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are increasingly being employed to develop photogrammetry (the process of taking overlapping photographs of an object, structure, or space and converting them into 2D or 3D digital models) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-based models for construction sites.

The models provide developers, contractors, and design consultants with up-to-date and accurate aerial imagery and topographies. These tools can be extremely useful on major construction sites. They can communicate key matters to internal and external stakeholders, such as schedule, layout, design changes, and encountered conditions.

Drone-based models and imagery can be used in claims preparation as they can provide highly compelling evidence about onsite matters.

Risks and challenges

Construction companies are encouraged to consider several questions relating to drone use. These may include:

  1. Do you trust subcontractors to fly over your site and collect potentially sensitive data? It's important to note that any reputational damage caused by an incident may impact the developer or main contractor on site.
  2. Are your risk registers accounting for regular drone flights? A flying UAV could potentially:
    • Distract operators and site teams.
    • Collide with overhead utilities and cranes.
    • Impact personnel and property inside and outside of the worksite.
  3. Are the UAV operators licensed and qualified to undertake the flights and surveys? Many countries have specific requirements for licensing and for obtaining permits to fly and collect aerial images. In urban areas, these requirements are often more stringent.
  4. Are you correctly caveating any issued models or imagery? Models can measure volumes, inform design decisions, or be used in claims. How accurate are the models and what are they being used for?

The role of insurance

Understanding the opportunities and risks around drone use is critical to effective risk management. To overcome the challenges outlined above, risk mitigation is a good place to start. If drones are used on and around your site, risk transfer can give confidence to the project, your business, and your team.

Taking flight

The construction industry is increasingly utilising drone technology to optimise productivity and capture new insights. However, as the market expands and drone use becomes more prevalent, businesses could face complex and high value associated risk exposures. Your insurance broker or risk adviser can help you navigate these risks and, importantly, help you to understand more about when and how drone use could affect your existing policies.

Our people

Placeholder Image

Maarten van Haaps

Head of Construction, Pacific

Placeholder Image

Brad Day

National Business Relationship Manager - Corporate Construction, Australia

Related insights

Placeholder Image

Report

Construction insurance market update 2024: Australia

29/08/2024
Building under construction

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Addressing people challenges within the construction industry

01/07/2024
Placeholder Image

Article

Global construction market update

15/04/2024
Aftermath of a flood inside a factory, water damaged machinery. Generative AI

Article

Climate change: Managing the implications on construction

16/11/2023
View more

This publication is not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Marsh shall have no obligation to update this publication and shall have no liability to you or any other party arising out of this publication or any matter contained herein. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. Any modelling, analytics, or projections are subject to inherent uncertainty, and any analysis could be materially affected if any underlying assumptions, conditions, information, or factors are inaccurate or incomplete or should change. LCPA 23/486

“Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651 512, AFSL 238983) (“Marsh”) arrange this insurance and is not the insurer. The Discretionary Trust Arrangement is issued by the Trustee, JLT Group Services Pty Ltd (ABN 26 004 485 214, AFSL 417964) (“JGS”). JGS is part of the Marsh group of companies. Any advice in relation to the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is provided by JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 69 009 098 864, AFSL 226827) which is a related entity of Marsh. The cover provided by the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is subject to the Trustee’s discretion and/or the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions. This website contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire a product, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from JLT Risk Solutions on request. Full information can be found in the JLT Risk Solutions Financial Services Guide.”