2020 NT Safety Symposium

1. Using drones to conduct
safe inspections of
solar PV installations
Reg Dwyer, Senior WorkSafe Inspector

2. NT WorkSafe
What does NT WorkSafe do?
• Legislation
• Inspections
• Licensing
• Small business
• Workers Compensation

3. Electrical Safety
THE TEAM
Six Electrical inspectors
1. Five in Darwin
2. One in Alice Springs

4. Functions
• Regulate electrical safety and compliance in the NT
• Inspections
• Incidents
• Investigations
• Regulations
• Standards development with;
• Other entities in the NT
• Other regulators – Australia and New Zealand.

5. Solar PV inspections
• Solar PV presents specific challenges and risks
• Approximately 1 Megawatt each month installed in the NT
• Domestic and
• Commercial
The majority of solar PV installed on the roof

6. Accessing installations safely
Solar PV on a Freestanding roof
17 Metres to lower edge rising to
21 metres at centre
SpanLift – Palmerston BMX

7. Accessing the installation
Solar PV on roof of
Elevated tropical style house

8. What are we looking for in installations?
• Safety – free from defects
• Injury from the installation - electrical
• Damage caused by the installation – fire – loose equipment
• Compliance with standards and regulations
• To ensure the safety over the life of the installation
• Long term operation where possible
• Safety of the community

9. Safety and compliance
Solar Fire
Cause:
Suspected moisture in
solar isolators.

10. Safety and compliance
Effect of fire can be significant.
Cause:
Suspected to be due to rain leaking into
electrical components.

11. Accessing the installation
• Accessing the roof
• Ladders – manual handling
• Roof safety
• Edge protection
• Harness – wearing - securing - using
• Securing the harness point
• Heat, carrying equipment
• Slips, trips and falls

12. Inspection Example
Access ?
17 Metres to lower edge
21 metres at apex
No ready means of:
• Access
• Edge protection
• Fall prevention
SpanLift – Palmerston BMX

13. Logistics of using a Drone
What do we need?
• A suitable drone
• Training
• Licences
• Clearances
• Permission
• Insurance
• Procedure

14. Selecting a suitable drone
DJI Phantom 4 Pro

15. Selecting a suitable drone
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
• Stable
• Good quality
• Easy to fly
• Flight time
• Collision alarms
• High definition images
• Cost effective
• Spare parts available

16. Training – need to be licensed:
• Air space zone classifications
• Within 3 Nautical Miles of a controlled airfield
• Restricted zones
• Danger Zones
• Uncontrolled airfields
• RAAF controlled areas
• NO FLY Zones
• National Parks
• Sacred land
• Unrestricted zones – basic controls.

17. Training
Remote Pilot Licence (RePl) for commercial work includes
air radio operator
• 5 days training theory and practice
• Flight training
• Emergency procedures
• Techniques and Practice.

18. CASA requires compliance:
• Drone registration
• Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC)
• Development of procedures and
manuals
• Chief Pilot
• Chief Maintenance Officer
Licence to operate commercially
Practices

19. Flight authorisations are required
to fly within 3 Nautical Miles (5.5.
Km) of a controlled airfield.
Unrestricted zones allow flights
following Rules for drones.
Flight Authorisation

20. Unrestricted Zones
Fly your drone (25 Kg or less):
• No closer than 3nm (5.5. Km) of a controlled
airport.
• Within visual line of sight
• Below 120 metres (400 ft)
• In daylight only
• No closer than 30 Metres to any person not
associated with the drone.
• Not above any person
• Not near an emergency situation
• Not near any aircraft.

21. Permissions
Gain the permission of the owner
or occupier before inspection.
Explain the safety requirements
Be aware of privacy concerns.

22. Procedures
• Pre – planning
• Viability
• Location
• Authorisation
• Weather and conditions
• Physical restrictions
• Moral considerations

23. Is the solution efficient?
• Removes:
• Risk of roof access
• Manual Handling of ladders
• Slips, trips and falls
• Rescue requirement
• Damage to installation – with care.

24. Achievements
• Access areas that would be dangerous by roof access.
• High definition images
• Overhead images to clearly identify the location
• Underneath panels
• Faster
• Copy of overhead image to the owner.
• Reduce if not eliminate injury risks.

25. Limitations
Cost of Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) – drone
Training
Learning competencies
Developing requirements for CASA compliance
Internal processes
Procedures
Operational limitations.
Maintenance – Lithium Ion battery life.

26. Support
CASA provides both online and telephone services to assist.
CASA approved software apps
• Location
• Safety and
• Compliance with rules.
Local companies that provide support and assistance.

27. Success or failure ?
Benefits:
• Safety improvement
• Accessibility of unreachable areas
• Versatility of being able to deploy in your own timeframe
• Due to the number of flights performed – cost and time effective

28. Success (glass half full view)
Success
Success
Success
Success

29. BMX Club solar clamps

30. BMX overhead Solar DC Isolator close up

31. Questions?
www.worksafe.nt.gov.au
1800 019 115

32. Conduit not sealed No sharp edge protection

33. Suspicious wiring -

34. Thank you
www.worksafe.nt.gov.au
1800 019 115