The Critical Role of Drones in Enhancing Workplace Safety Across Belgian Industries

For Health & Safety (HSE/SHEQ) managers, operations and site managers, prevention advisors (preventieadviseurs), and business owners across Belgium, ensuring worker safety is paramount. Traditional inspection methods in vital sectors like construction, energy, infrastructure maintenance, chemical plants, and manufacturing often expose personnel to significant risks. But what if you could drastically reduce these dangers, improve compliance, and even boost your bottom line? The answer is already here, and it’s taking to the skies. Drone technology, as deployed by experts like Hovvr, is revolutionizing modern safety management, transforming hazardous tasks into safe, efficient operations.

The Grim Reality: Traditional Inspection Risks in Belgian Industries

Before we explore the solution, let's confront the problem. Traditional inspections often involve:

• Working at Height: Think scaffolding or rope access for inspecting wind turbines, bridges, tall chimneys, or multi-story building facades. The risks are stark. According to 2023 data from Fedris, the Belgian federal agency for occupational risks, falls from height remain a major cause of workplace accidents. In fact, the broader category of "Breken, barsten, glijden, vallen, instorten van het betrokken voorwerp" (Breakage, bursting, sliding, falling, collapse of the involved object), which includes falls of persons, accounted for 4,386 accidents, including 4 fatalities in the private sector in Belgium in 2023. The construction sector (NACE F) alone saw 1,929 accidents, 3 of which were fatal, with a high frequency rate of 28.36.

• Entry into Confined Spaces: Sending a worker into a tank, vessel, sewer, or pipeline for inspection is inherently dangerous due to potential oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, or engulfment risks. While specific Belgian statistics for confined space inspection accidents are not isolated in top-level reports, the hazards are well-recognized globally, and any incident can have severe consequences.

• Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Inspecting equipment in chemical plants (NACE C20 in Belgium: 447 accidents, 0 fatal, FG 6.68 in 2023) or sites with toxic substances puts personnel at risk of chemical burns, poisoning, or long-term health issues. Fedris data shows 2,181 accidents related to chemical substances, explosives, radioactive, or biological materials in 2023 (0 fatal).

• Inspecting Unstable Structures: Assessing fire-damaged buildings, aging infrastructure, or potentially compromised structures can expose inspectors to collapse risks.

• Proximity to High-Voltage Equipment: Manual inspection of power lines, substations, or other electrical installations carries the risk of electrocution or severe burns. In 2023, incidents related to "Afwijkende gebeurtenis als gevolg van een elektrische storing, ontploffing (druk), brand" (Deviating event as a result of an electrical fault, explosion (pressure), fire) led to 934 accidents, 3 of them fatal in Belgium. The energy supply sector (NACE D35) itself recorded 136 accidents (0 fatal) with a frequency rate of 4.31.

These traditional methods don't just pose physical threats; they can also lead to significant downtime, higher insurance costs, and a negative impact on worker morale.

Source: Solomon-3d.com

Drone Intervention: A New Horizon in Safety Management

Drone technology directly addresses these hazards by removing the human element from dangerous situations.

• Eliminating Work at Height: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors, and LiDAR can inspect wind turbines, telecommunication towers, bridges, and rooftops without anyone leaving the ground. This directly supports compliance with Belgium's Codex Welzijn op het Werk, Boek III, Titel 2 (Royal Decree of 31 August 2005) concerning work at height, which mandates prioritizing collective protection measures to prevent falls. Drones effectively eliminate the need for scaffolding or rope access in many inspection scenarios.

• Safe Confined Space Inspections: Collision-tolerant drones, like the Flyability Elios series, can enter and inspect tanks, pipes, and other enclosed areas, relaying detailed visual and thermal data. This negates the need for human entry, avoiding exposure to hazardous atmospheres or engulfment.

• Remote Assessment of Hazardous Materials & Environments: Drones can be deployed to visually inspect areas with chemical spills, radiation, or extreme temperatures. Specialized sensors can even detect gas leaks, providing critical data from a safe distance. For operations in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX/EX zones) common in the petrochemical and chemical industries, the challenge is significant. While fully ATEX-certified drones for operation inside all zones are still emerging (though some, like the "Atex Drone LE 4-8X Dual" for Zone 1/2, are marketed), the current best practice often involves highly specialized drones operating near or up to the boundary of these zones, or drones equipped with gas sensors to provide early warnings. Companies like Shell are actively exploring ways to safely integrate drone operations around such zones, highlighting the careful planning and risk assessment required.

• Inspecting Unstable Structures Safely: Drones can provide detailed imagery and structural data of compromised buildings or infrastructure without risking personnel. This allows for safer assessment before any human intervention is planned.

• Keeping a Safe Distance from High-Voltage Equipment: Drones are now routinely used for power line and substation inspections, identifying faults or maintenance needs without requiring personnel to work near energized components, thus mitigating electrocution risks.

Beyond direct risk removal, drones provide enhanced situational awareness. Pre-task planning is significantly improved with detailed aerial views of a site or structure, allowing teams to identify potential hazards and plan interventions more safely and effectively. The deployment of drones by emergency services in Belgium, such as the Citymesh "safety drone shield" in Genk, showcases how rapid aerial intelligence can lead to faster, smarter, and safer decisions – a principle directly applicable to industrial site management.

The Ripple Effect: Benefits Beyond Injury Prevention

The impact of integrating drones into your safety management strategy extends far beyond just preventing injuries:

• Reduced Lost Time Incidents (LTIs): By removing workers from hazardous situations, the likelihood of accidents and subsequent LTIs plummets. While specific pan-European LTI reduction percentages directly attributed to drones are still emerging, case studies like flare stack inspections by FEDS show weeks of hazardous manual labor and associated risks being entirely eliminated.

• Potential for Lower Insurance Premiums: A demonstrated commitment to reducing risk through innovative technologies like drones can positively influence insurance negotiations. Fewer accidents mean fewer claims.

• Improved Worker Morale and Psychological Well-being: Offloading dangerous, stressful, and physically demanding tasks to drones can significantly boost worker morale. Knowing that their employer is investing in their safety can lead to increased job satisfaction and a stronger safety culture.

• Enhanced Company Reputation: Companies that lead in adopting advanced safety technologies are often viewed more favorably by clients, partners, and the public, enhancing their reputation as responsible and forward-thinking organizations.

• Better Compliance with Belgian/EU Safety Legislation: Drones help meet the core principles of the Codex Welzijn op het Werk, which emphasizes risk elimination and collective protective measures over personal protective equipment. Drone data also provides excellent documentation for compliance purposes.

• Safer and Faster Emergency Response: In the event of an industrial incident, drones can be deployed quickly to assess the situation, identify hazards, locate personnel, and monitor the effectiveness of response efforts, all without endangering emergency responders. The Sitech Services operations at the Chemelot chemical complex (Netherlands, with cross-border activities in Belgium) effectively use drones for live streaming during calamities and for safer internal inspections.

Source: coptrz.com

Drones and Belgian Safety Standards: A Synergistic Approach

Drone technology aligns perfectly with established Belgian safety frameworks:

• Codex Welzijn op het Werk: As mentioned, drones directly support the hierarchy of controls embedded in the Codex, particularly for Boek III, Titel 2 (work at height), by often eliminating the need for workers to be physically present in hazardous locations.

• VCA (Veiligheid Checklist Aannemers / SHE Checklist Contractors - SCC): For companies and contractors adhering to VCA standards, drone operations must be integrated into their Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) management system. This includes thorough risk assessments, certified pilots, documented procedures, and a commitment to continuous safety improvement – principles that reputable drone service providers embody.

• ATEX Directives: For inspections in or near explosive atmospheres, understanding and adhering to ATEX directives is crucial. This means ensuring any equipment used, including drones or their sensors, is appropriate for the designated zone, or that operational procedures (like those used by Shell with DJI Docks near ATEX zones) rigorously prevent ignition risks.

• Seveso Establishments: The stringent safety requirements for Seveso sites in Belgium necessitate comprehensive risk management. Drones can be a valuable tool for operators in conducting their own internal safety audits, pre-planning maintenance, and monitoring site integrity, thus supporting their obligations.

  
  

The Hierarchy of Risk Control: Drones at the Apex

The widely accepted hierarchy of risk control prioritizes:

1. Elimination: Physically remove the hazard.

2. Substitution: Replace the hazard with something less hazardous.

3. Engineering Controls: Isolate people from the hazard.

4. Administrative Controls: Change the way people work.

5. Personal1 Protective Equipment (PPE): Protect the worker with PPE.

   
   

Drones excel at the highest levels of this hierarchy. By taking over tasks like high-altitude inspections or entries into confined spaces, drones eliminate the direct human exposure to those risks. They act as a direct substitution for a human performing a dangerous task.

Hovvr's Commitment to Safety: Flying with Confidence

At Hovvr, safety isn't just a feature; it's the foundation of every operation. We understand the critical environments our clients operate in and the trust they place in us. Hovvr prioritizes safety through:

• Strict Adherence to Regulations: Full compliance with Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA/DGLV) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) drone regulations.

• Certified and Highly Trained Pilots: Our pilots hold the necessary certifications (e.g., A1/A3, A2) and are experienced in conducting complex operations, including those requiring Specific Operations Risk Assessments (SORA).

• Comprehensive Risk Assessments: Every mission is preceded by a thorough risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential hazards, ensuring the safety of personnel, assets, and the environment.

• Advanced Drone Technology: Utilizing state-of-the-art drones equipped with safety features and specialized sensors tailored to the inspection task.

• Robust Safety Management System (SMS): Implementing and continuously improving our internal safety protocols and procedures.

The Future is Now: Embracing Drones for a Safer Belgian Workplace

The evidence is clear: drone technology is not a futuristic concept but a practical, proven solution that significantly enhances workplace safety across Belgian industries. By removing personnel from harm's way, providing unparalleled data for decision-making, and streamlining inspection processes, drones are an indispensable tool for modern safety management.

For prevention advisors (preventieadviseurs), the detailed visual and sensor data captured by drones offers invaluable insights for risk assessments, incident investigations, and the development of more effective prevention plans.

It's time to look beyond traditional methods and embrace the safety revolution that drone technology offers. Reduce risks, protect your workforce, enhance compliance, and position your organization as a leader in workplace safety.

Is your company ready to elevate its safety standards? Contact Hovvr today to discuss how our specialized drone inspection services can address your unique challenges and help you build a safer, more efficient future.