DRONE-SUPPORTED MULTI-RISK INSPECTION MODEL FOR OCCUPATOONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONFINED AREAS

Confined and high-risk working environments pose significant challenges in terms of occupational health and safety (OHS) due to limited accessibility, restricted visibility, and exposure to multiple hazards. This study proposes a drone-assisted inspection model for the assessment of multi-risk conditions in such environments. Recent advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies have created new opportunities for remote inspection, particularly in areas where human access is difficult or hazardous. Drone-supported inspection systems have emerged as an innovative solution for non-destructive testing (NDT) and risk monitoring applications.Indoor drones equipped with protective cage structures, collision-resistant frames, high-lumen lighting systems, thermal cameras, LiDAR-based positioning, and real-time image transmission capabilities demonstrate considerable potential for confined space inspections. However, a review of the existing literature reveals that most studies focus either on confined space safety procedures or on technical UAV applications. Comprehensive models integrating drone-assisted inspection into a structured OHS management system from a multi-risk perspective remain limited.

The proposed model consists of four main stages: preparation, UAV-assisted risk detection, hazard classification, and reporting. To demonstrate its applicability, a scenario-based case example was developed, comparing traditional inspection methods with the proposed drone-assisted approach. The findings indicate that the drone-supported method increases the scope of risk detection, reduces inspection time, and significantly decreases inspector exposure, particularly in inaccessible and high-risk areas.

This approach provides an innovative contribution by integrating UAV technology into OHS inspections through a multi-risk management perspective and offers a practical roadmap for safer and more effective occupational inspections in confined environments.