Working at height remains one of the highest-risk activities in industry and for PTSG, reducing that risk is an ongoing priority, not something limited to an awareness week.
Across its Building Access Specialists (BAS) division, the Group continues to combine innovation and expertise to create safer ways of working and reduce exposure to risk wherever possible. HD Sharman (Sharmans), a PTSG Company, use of drone technology is a key example of this commitment in action.
While experienced Technical Service Managers continue to carry out detailed, in-person site surveys and Roof Condition Reports, drones provide a powerful additional layer of insight. They allow the team to safely access roofs and, critically, those areas where no safe means of access is available, without exposing anyone to unnecessary risk.
By integrating drones into the inspection process, Sharmans can conduct efficient preliminary surveys that help determine whether a more detailed, hands-on assessment is required. This not only enhances safety but also improves project planning and resource allocation.
The technology enables early detection of issues that are not visible from ground level, helping to identify the first signs of cut edge corrosion, roof sheet degradation, and gutter deterioration. These issues can then be addressed ahead of problems occurring, including refurbishment using Sharmans Plygene®, Delcote® and Seamsil® systems.
Importantly, the use of drones is not a replacement for traditional safety measures. It is an enhancement. Sharmans continues to operate with robust fall arrest systems, comprehensive risk assessments, and strict adherence to safe working practices. Teams also carry out proactive and regular reviews of site safety challenges encountered in the field, ensuring continuous improvement in how risk is managed.
This approach aligns with the hierarchy of control, prioritising risk elimination and reduction wherever reasonably practicable. By minimising the need for working at height in the first place, drone technology represents a significant step forward in protecting people.
Frank Wilson, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at Sharmans, said: “What once took considerable time, physical risk, and logistical complexity can now be completed more efficiently, and with nobody leaving the ground. That is not just a safety improvement. It is a safer way of working.”
For more information visit ptsg.co.uk or hdsharman.co.uk.
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