It starts with drones inspecting the power lines instead of human utility workers
Linemen and other utility workers are often put at great risk inspecting power lines. My most recent electrocution death case involved an independent contractor inspecting power lines, but the problem itself has existed for decades.
And it’s getting worse, especially as our infrastructure ages.
But technology can provide a solution that can save many lives. There’s great potential in the use of remote-controlled drones to do the dangerous work of inspecting power lines.
What’s interesting is that the utility companies, which in my own legal experience have opposed and fought against many common-sense safety regulations that protect workers, seem to be embracing the idea. The idea would use miniature helicopter-like drones, some equipped with cameras and others with special sensors. These drones could access particularly dangerous areas and save the lives of utility workers and contractors who are now sent out to do the inspections and risk electrocution.
The utilities and power companies don’t seem to be the impediment here. But strict regulations are. According to a recent Associated Press story, “Power Companies Could Use Drones to Save Lives, Cut Costs,” these existing regulations are slowing the adoption of drone technology to do inspections in place of workers and independent contractors.
Here are three benefits of drones in the inspection of power lines, in my legal opinion:
- Drones reduce the foreseeable risk of harm to humans. They allow a detailed view much closer to the pole top structures without any risk of lineman coming into contact with power lines or trees and structures that are in contact with power lines. A lot of the inspections are contracted out, so this applies whether they’re lineman for the power company or whether they’re inspectors working for a subcontractor to the power company.
- Drones can increase the accuracy and detail that can be discerned: Drones do a more meticulous job of inspecting, because currently, utility workers inspect from bottom of the pole with binoculars or via helicopter. In this manner, the visibility of the pole top structures and hardware are not as robust, as there are often tree and limb clearance issues for visibility. Drones can get closer than ever, which is another way they could save lives – by seeing more problems in the structure, those than human error might miss.
- Drones reduce the financial burden of helicopter inspections. Utility companies spend millions of dollars inspecting power lines, which are often in hard-to-reach places. According to the Associated Press story, the systems start at about $10,000. Sensor attachments range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $100,000. But the cost savings are far greater than the investment considering the current amount spent on inspections.
Given these important benefits, the utility industry has been interested in the potential use of drones for years, but has been slower than European companies to adopt the technology because of U.S. regulatory restrictions.
Electrical hazards cause more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries each year among the U.S. workforce, according to the CDC. Our attorneys know first-hand that it’s often in the dangerous inspection and maintenance phase that utility workers face the greatest risks of being electrocuted.
So why are we facing all of this red tape, that’s postponing the use of this potentially life-saving technology?
According to the AP, while hobbyists can fly drones without certification, the Federal Aviation Administration requires special certification for commercial users. The agency treats the operation of drones like any other aircraft for safety reasons and commercial operators face strict rules for getting permission to use them. There are numerous conditions and limitations, including:
- The drone operator needs a pilot’s license,
- The aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds,
- Flights can go no more than 200 feet above the ground,
- And the drone must be operated in the pilot’s line of sight.
Seven U.S. utility companies have been granted FAA approval for testing drone technology this year. For instance, Consumers Energy in Michigan conducted a series of tests over the summer using its own eight-rotor drone and unmanned aerial vehicles operated by outside vendors to inspect wind turbines, utility poles and transformers.
We hope this regulatory red tape resolves soon. It is utility workers’ lives that are on the line.
Related info:
What happens when utility companies don’t maintain power line structures?
