Reducing time at risk – how UAV technology is transforming work at height safety
By Adam Viney, UAV Operations Manager at Sutro Group
In the work at height industry, time equals risk. Every minute our technicians spend exposed to elevation hazards represents potential danger, regardless of how comprehensive our safety protocols may be. This fundamental principle is driving a revolution in how we approach complex access operations, and it’s a topic I’ll be exploring in depth at London’s International Work at Height Seminar this July.
Traditional work at height operations often require exploratory phases where technicians spend valuable time at elevation simply gathering information about the asset. What if this exposure could be eliminated entirely? At Sutro Group, we’re implementing drone-assisted protocols that fundamentally change this equation. By deploying UAV technology strategically within established rope access procedures, we’re seeing measurable improvements in both safety outcomes and operational efficiency.
The concept is straightforward: use pre-deployment reconnaissance to provide teams with comprehensive situational awareness before they ever leave the ground. Through systematic UAV assessment, we can identify optimal access routes, assess structural integrity, and pinpoint specific work areas without any personnel exposure. Advanced sensor technologies—including high-resolution optics and thermal imaging—enable remote assessment of conditions that would traditionally require someone to be at height.
The key lies not in replacing established rope access protocols, but in enhancing them. When intervention is necessary, our teams arrive with complete intelligence, allowing them to execute their work with precision and minimal time at elevation. The results speak for themselves: projects that previously required extensive exploratory rope work now begin with comprehensive aerial assessment, reducing personnel exposure time by significant margins.
But this is just the beginning. The work at height sector faces increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable improvements in risk management, and intelligent technology integration offers genuine solutions. The question isn’t whether these approaches will become standard practice—it’s how quickly the industry will adapt to embrace them.
To explore the full potential of drone-assisted work at height operations and see these risk reduction methodologies in action, join us at London’s International Work at Height Seminar on 10th July 2025. I’ll be presenting “Reducing Time at Risk with Drone-Assisted Work at Height” with live demonstrations of these integrated safety solutions. This is your opportunity to witness firsthand how these technologies are transforming the industry and discover how they could revolutionise your own operations.
Book your place at the International Work at Height Seminar and see the future of safer, more efficient access operations demonstrated live.
For more information on how Sutro Group’s services could benefit your inspections, contact us:
📞 0800 069 9395 ✉️ info@sutrogroup.co.uk