Operational Risk Management


Operational Risk Management
Utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) during power line inspections offers a myriad of advantages over traditional methodologies.  Implementing the use of UAS during these types of inspections requires careful planning and developing useful risk management tools.

The DJI Phantom 4 sUAS is a versatile aircraft, capable of providing commercial operators with powerful results from power line inspection flights.  Operating the Phantom 4 during these inspections requires careful planning and evaluating risks.

The first step in the development of an Operational Risk Management Tool (ORM) requires developing a Preliminary Hazard List (PHL).  Marshall et. al (2011) recommend that the PHL provide information about the potential hazard, the “stage” and the “probability and severity” of the event.  Figure 1 is an example of a potential PHL for evaluating hazards during various stages of a power line inspection flight.
PRELIMINARY HAZARD LIST
Date:                                   Prepared By:                                                     Page      of 
Possible Stages: Planning, Staging, Launch, Flight and Recovery. (P) (S) (L) (F) (R)
#
Stage
Hazard
Probability
Severity
RL
Mitigating Action
RRL
Notes
1
LFR
Trees






2
LFR
Wires






3
LFR
Guy Wires






4
LFR
Weather






5
LFR
Arcing






6
SLFR
Visibility






7
P
Inexperienced Crew






8
P
Heavy Sensors






9
P
Density Altitude






10
P
Improper Intelligent Flight Mode Planning






Figure 1. Example PHL derived from Marshall et. al (2011).

Figure 1 details many of the hazards associated with power line inspections. Recognizing generic hazards is important but identifying hazards specific to individual missions is critical. Measuring probability and severity should be in accordance with industry defined evaluation scales.  In the interim, adaptions are possible from collaborating with utility industry professionals (Timble, 2017).  Working with power company experts, especially from the specific customers involved, assists in identifying hazards and mitigating actions.

After identifying hazards in each stage, an Operational Hazard Review and Analysis (OHR&A) now becomes the focus.  The OHR&A is important because it acts as a tool for continuous monitoring of hazards identified within the PHL, noting the effectiveness of mitigating actions (Marshall et. al, 2011).   
A sample OHR&A is below, in Figure 2.
OPERATIONAL HAZARD REVIEW AND ANALYSIS (OHR&A)
Date:                                   Prepared By:                                                     Page      of 
Possible Stages: Planning, Staging, Launch, Flight and Recovery. (P) (S) (L) (F) (R)
#
Action Review
Stage
Hazard
Probability
Severity
RL
Mitigating Action
RRL
Notes
1

LFR
Trees






2

LFR
Wires






3

LFR
Guy Wires






4

LFR
Weather






5

LFR
Arcing






6

SLFR
Visibility






7

P
Inexperienced Crew






8

P
Heavy Sensors






9

P
Density Altitude






10

P
Improper Intelligent Flight Mode Planning






Figure 2. Example OHR&A derived from Marshall et. al (2011).
Figure 3 below shows a sample sUAS Risk Assessment Tool for power line flights.
sUAS Risk Assessment Tool
Date:                           Aircraft Number:                           Aircraft Type:  
Pilot Name(s):                               Observer Name(s):                           Ground Crew Name(s):
Automatically disqualifying events:

Crew use of alcohol use within previous 12 hours      Absent crewmember
Any drug use                                                                   sUAS mechanical problem
Absent customer representative                                   Winds in excess of 20 knots
10 knot gust spread                                                        Visible rain
Cloud base below 500 feet                                             Lapse of crew qualification

Does proposed operation meet any automatically disqualifying events (circle)?
If Yes STOP operations and contact Director of Operations at 555-555-5555.
Mission Type
Pipeline Patrol (2)
Testing (3)
Power Line Inspection (4)
Cloud Base (AGL)
1500’ and Above (1)
Between 1000’ – 1500’ (2)
Above 500’ and below 1000’ (3)
Visibility (SM)
10+ (1)
5-10 (2)
2-5 (3)
Less than 2 (4)
Autonomous
Flights?
Fully autonomous programmed patrol (2)
Use of at least 1 intelligent mode (3)
Entire patrol hand-flown (4)
New Tower Type for Crew
 NO  (1)


YES (4)
Substation
No (1)
Yes with 2 or fewer transmission (2)
Yes with 3 or more transmission (4)
Wind Speed
5 knots or less (1)
5-10 knots (2)
10-15 knots (3)
15-20 knots (4)
Emergency Landing Area(s)
YES on both sides of power line corridor (1)
YES on one side of power line corridor (2)
YES within 100’ of UAS (3)
NO blocked by obstacles (4)
Energized Power Lines
NO (2)
YES (under 230kV) (3)
YES OVER 230kv (4)
New Operating Procedure for Crew
NO (performed over 50x) (1)
NO (performed 25-50x) (2)
NO (performed less than 25x) (3)
YES (4)
Dead End Structure(s)
None (1)
Dead end, simple tangent (2)
Dead end, into substation (3)
Dead end, multiple (4)
Comprehensive Inspection(s)
NO (1)
Yes, entire flight above shield wire (2)
Yes, one or more sections below shield wire (4)
Crossing Lines in Daily Plan?
NO (1)
YES (4)
SCORE BELOW 20 LOW
SCORE BETWEEN 21-29 MEDIUM
SCORE BETWEEN 30-40 HIGH
SCORE OVER 40 DIRECTOR OPS APPROVAL REQUIRED- STOP
Figure 3. Example risk assessment tool derived from Marshall et. al (2011).

The reference to intelligent flight modes for the Phantom 4 sUAS in the table above is based on information provided by Corrigan (2018). The above information is an example only and not intended for actual flight operations.  Actual tools should be based on specific company operating procedures and UAS/electric industry best practices.  Risk assignments should be based on an agreeable scale determined collaterally between operators and customers.

The purpose of the risk assessment tool is to mitigate risks by assigning higher scores to extreme situations and lack of experience.  This allows the crew (and management) to utilize the sheet, assessing the immediate general risk score.  The ability for off-site management to have some sort of process input in high-risk scenarios is critical (Marshall, et. al, 2011)

References
Corrigan, F. (2018). Top DJI Phantom 4 Intelligent Flight Modes Reviewed.  Retrieved from
            https://www.dronezon.com/drone-reviews/phantom-4-intelligent-modes-obstacle-  sensing-                  active-tracking/

Marshall, D. M., Barnhart, R. K., Hottman, S. B., Shappee, E., & Most, M. T. (Eds.). (2011).                           Introduction to unmanned aircraft systems. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.
            proquest.com

Timble, T. (2017). How Electric Linemen Can Prioritize Safety on the Job. Retrieved from
            http://www.tdworld.com/safety/how-electrical-lineman-can-prioritize-safety-job

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