Drones promise to improve safety, efficiency associated with tower activities, NATE executive director says
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Drones promise to improve safety, efficiency associated with tower activities, NATE executive director says
This saves workers time and also prevents dangerous surprises, Schlekeway said.
“What a great use of a drone to be able to tell if a tower’s safety climb system is in adequate shape, if there’s something obstructing it,” he said. “If you don’t have a functioning safety-climb system, that is a major hazard for the elevated worker.”
In many industries, some are concerned that drones and other forms of automation will reduce the need for human workers, but that is should not be an issue in the wireless sector, Schlekeway said.
“[Drones] are not a replacement or the workforce,” Schlekeway said. “What they are is a supplemental resource, a tool.”
The use of drones will limit the repetitive stress of climbing, reduce accidents and make the job much safer overall, according to Schlekeway.
“This is a good thing,” he said.
As drone technology becomes more accessible through regulatory measures like Rule 107, more commercial uses will emerge, Schlekeway said. By augmenting operations with such tools, efficiencies will improve and workers will be more protected, he said.