Part J — Community & Security

Drones and unauthorized photography

Workbook section 113

Owner

HSE Manager / Document Controller

Review / trigger

Annual review; update immediately if legal, authority, project, client, or scope requirements change.

Primary references

Plans TOC - Part J; Plan J113 Drones Unauthorized P

Checkpoints

Open live checklist

#	Area	Checkpoint / Requirement	Evidence / Acceptance Criteria	Responsible	Frequency
1	Pre-Deployment Risk Assessment	Site-specific UAV operation risk assessment completed covering airspace, terrain and third-party proximity hazards	Signed risk assessment document filed prior to first flight of each campaign	HSE Manager	Prior to each flight campaign
2	Pre-Deployment Risk Assessment	Method statement for drone operations reviewed and approved covering launch/recovery zones and contingency actions	Approved method statement referenced in permit-to-fly	Site Engineer	Prior to each flight campaign
3	Pre-Deployment Risk Assessment	Drone operator medical fitness and fatigue status confirmed prior to flight duty	Self-declaration/fitness confirmation form signed by pilot	HSE Officer	Each shift
4	Equipment Certification & Airworthiness	Each UAV airframe carries a valid manufacturer conformity/airworthiness declaration matching its GCAA category	Airworthiness declaration copy cross-referenced to UAV serial number	Equipment Custodian	Prior to first use and annually
5	Equipment Certification & Airworthiness	Spare parts and repairs to UAVs performed only by manufacturer-approved technicians	Repair/service record referencing approved technician certification	Equipment Custodian	As required
6	Equipment Certification & Airworthiness	Firmware and software updates for UAV and controller applied only after validation to avoid geofence or safety feature loss	Update validation checklist signed by drone operator	Drone Operator	Upon each update
7	Airspace Coordination with Aviation Authorities	Live NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) check performed before flight to confirm no conflicting temporary restrictions	NOTAM check printout/screenshot dated same day as flight	Drone Operator	Each flight day
8	Airspace Coordination with Aviation Authorities	Direct radio or phone contact established with nearest ATC/aerodrome operations when flying within coordination distance	Communication log recording contact time and clearance received	Drone Operator	Each flight within coordination distance
9	Airspace Coordination with Aviation Authorities	Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, if any, supported by dedicated GCAA BVLOS approval separate from standard permit	Copy of BVLOS-specific approval on file	HSE Manager	Prior to any BVLOS operation
10	Personal Device & Camera Registration	Personal mobile phones and cameras of site employees registered with make/model/IMEI at HR onboarding	Device registration form retained in employee HR file	HR Officer	At onboarding
11	Personal Device & Camera Registration	Camera lens covers/security seals applied to personal devices at high-security zones where photography is fully prohibited	Seal application/removal log maintained by security	Security Officer	Each entry to restricted zone
12	Personal Device & Camera Registration	Random spot checks conducted on personal devices at exit points in designated sensitive project areas	Spot-check log with findings and personnel names	Security Officer	Weekly
13	Client & Stakeholder Notification	Client formally notified in writing of planned drone survey/inspection schedule and coverage area	Client notification email/letter with scope and dates acknowledged	Project Manager	Prior to each campaign
14	Client & Stakeholder Notification	Adjacent facility owners/operators informed where drone flight path may cross shared boundary lines	Notification acknowledgement from adjacent facility representative	Project Manager	Prior to flight near shared boundary
15	Counter-Drone Detection Measures	Site evaluates need for counter-UAS detection system (RF/radar) based on project sensitivity and threat profile	Documented evaluation outcome with justification for adoption/non-adoption	Security Manager	Prior to mobilization; reviewed annually
16	Counter-Drone Detection Measures	Where installed, counter-UAS detection system tested and calibrated to confirm functional detection range	Calibration/test certificate with detection range results	Security Manager	Quarterly
17	Counter-Drone Detection Measures	Alerts generated by counter-UAS system routed to security control room with defined response escalation	Alert response log showing time from detection to action taken	Security Officer	Each alert event
18	Emergency & Contingency Procedures	Loss-of-link and fly-away contingency procedure documented, including automatic return-to-home configuration verified	Return-to-home function test log prior to flight	Drone Operator	Each flight
19	Emergency & Contingency Procedures	Emergency landing zones pre-identified and communicated to ground crew in case of mid-flight malfunction	Emergency landing zone map briefed to crew, signed record	Drone Operator	Each flight
20	Emergency & Contingency Procedures	Procedure for safe recovery of a crashed/downed UAV, including hazard isolation of battery and debris, documented and briefed	Crash recovery SOP acknowledgement by ground crew	HSE Officer	Induction and annually
21	Data Handling & Cybersecurity	Drone control application and telemetry link secured against unauthorized interception per IT security policy	IT security review record confirming encrypted link configuration	IT Manager	Prior to deployment and annually
22	Data Handling & Cybersecurity	Captured imagery geotagged and watermarked to preserve chain of custody and prevent unauthorized reuse	Sample output file demonstrating geotag/watermark applied	Drone Operator	Each flight campaign
23	Data Handling & Cybersecurity	Cloud storage or transfer of drone footage restricted to UAE-hosted or approved compliant servers per data residency requirements	Data hosting compliance confirmation from IT/legal	IT Manager	Reviewed annually
24	Workforce Awareness on Legal Consequences	Employees briefed on penalties under UAE Federal Decree-Law for unauthorized use of drones and photography of restricted subjects	Briefing record referencing specific legal penalty clauses	HSE Officer	Induction and annually
25	Workforce Awareness on Legal Consequences	Multilingual posters summarizing drone and photography restrictions displayed at labor accommodation and site office	Photograph of posted multilingual posters	HSE Officer	Monthly inspection
26	Management Review & Continuous Improvement	Annual management review of drone operations program covering incidents, near-misses and regulatory changes	Management review minutes with action items and next review date	Project Director	Annually
27	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	All UAV/drone operations require valid GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) operator permit prior to site mobilization	Copy of current GCAA UAS operator certificate on file with expiry tracked in HSE register	HSE Manager	Prior to mobilization
28	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Drone pilot holds valid GCAA Remote Pilot License (RPL) matching UAV category flown	RPL certificate verified against UAV weight/category; copy retained in site file	HSE Manager	Prior to each deployment
29	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Project-specific No Objection Certificate (NOC) obtained from local Police Aviation/Civil Defence for flights near site	Signed NOC letter referencing site coordinates and validity dates filed with project documents	Project Manager	Prior to each flight campaign
30	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Site is checked against GCAA restricted/no-fly zone map before any flight is planned	Screenshot/printout of GCAA no-fly zone check dated and attached to flight plan	Drone Operator	Before every flight
31	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Insurance certificate for UAV operations (third-party liability) is current and covers project location	Insurance policy document with coverage limits and expiry reviewed by HSE	HSE Manager	Quarterly
32	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Any third-party drone contractor's GCAA license and insurance validated before contract award	Vendor prequalification file includes GCAA license copy and insurance certificate	Procurement/HSE	Prior to contract award
33	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Register of all authorized UAVs (serial number, model, owner) maintained on site	Updated UAV asset register with serial numbers cross-checked monthly	Site Admin	Monthly
34	Regulatory Compliance & GCAA Registration	Flight logs retained for minimum regulatory period per GCAA CAR-Part IX record-keeping requirement	Digital/physical flight log archive accessible for audit for required retention period	Drone Operator	Ongoing
35	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Permit-to-Work/Permit-to-Fly issued for each individual drone flight on site	Signed PTF form referencing date, purpose, area, pilot name retained in daily log	Site Engineer	Each flight
36	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Flight plan submitted and approved 24 hours in advance for flights near sensitive/restricted infrastructure	Approved flight plan with sign-off from Project Manager and security lead	Project Manager	24h prior to flight
37	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Coordination confirmed with nearby airports/heliports per GCAA minimum distance requirements	Written confirmation or air traffic notification reference number on file	Drone Operator	Each flight near aviation facilities
38	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Emergency contact numbers for GCAA, Police Aviation Unit and Civil Defence displayed at ground control station	Photo of posted emergency contact card at GCS location	HSE Officer	Weekly
39	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Weather conditions (wind speed, visibility) verified against manufacturer limits before takeoff	Pre-flight weather log entry with recorded wind speed/visibility values	Drone Operator	Each flight
40	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Flight area cordoned and ground personnel briefed prior to takeoff/landing	Toolbox talk attendance sheet and photo of cordon/barricades	Site Supervisor	Each flight
41	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Maximum altitude limit (per GCAA/NOC conditions) programmed into flight controller geofence	Screenshot of geofence altitude setting prior to flight	Drone Operator	Each flight
42	Flight Authorization & Permit-to-Fly	Night flight operations (if any) have specific written approval referencing anti-collision lighting compliance	Night flight approval letter and lighting inspection checklist	HSE Manager	Each night flight
43	Restricted & Sensitive Area Awareness	Buffer distance maintained from military, government, and critical infrastructure sites per GCAA restricted zone list	Map overlay showing flight path outside buffer zones, verified by HSE	Drone Operator	Each flight
44	Restricted & Sensitive Area Awareness	No flights conducted over neighboring private properties without documented consent to prevent unauthorized photography claims	Signed neighbor consent form or confirmation flight path avoids third-party property	Project Manager	Prior to flight near boundary
45	Restricted & Sensitive Area Awareness	Camera/gimbal orientation restricted to project site boundary during flight to avoid capturing adjacent properties	Post-flight footage review log confirming no extraneous property captured	Drone Operator	Each flight
46	Restricted & Sensitive Area Awareness	Staff briefed that photographing government buildings, military installations, or airports is a criminal offence under UAE Federal Law	Signed acknowledgement/toolbox talk record on UAE photography law	HSE Officer	Induction and annually
47	Restricted & Sensitive Area Awareness	List of nearby sensitive locations (embassies, military bases, airports) mapped and communicated to all camera/drone users	Sensitive-location map distributed and acknowledged by site team	HSE Manager	Prior to mobilization
48	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Policy prohibiting unauthorized photography/videography on site (personal phones, cameras) communicated at induction	Signed induction record referencing photography policy clause	HR/HSE	Induction
49	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Visitors and subcontractors required to declare and register cameras/recording devices at gate	Visitor device declaration log at site entrance	Security Officer	Each visit
50	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Signage posted at site entrances stating 'No Unauthorized Photography/Filming' in Arabic and English	Photograph of posted bilingual signage at all entry points	HSE Officer	Monthly inspection
51	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Any authorized photography (marketing, progress documentation) requires written approval from Project Director	Approved photography request form with date/purpose/photographer name	Project Director	Each occurrence
52	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Incidents of suspected unauthorized photography reported immediately to site security and Dubai/Abu Dhabi Police as applicable	Incident report with police reference/complaint number where filed	Security Officer	Immediate, upon occurrence
53	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	CCTV coverage of site perimeter reviewed periodically to detect unauthorized recording activity by outsiders	CCTV review log with findings and corrective actions recorded	Security Manager	Weekly
54	Unauthorized Photography & Personal Device Control	Data/footage captured by approved drones stored securely with access control to prevent leakage or misuse	Access-controlled storage system audit log showing restricted permissions	IT/HSE Manager	Monthly
55	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Procedure established for reporting sighting of unidentified/unauthorized drone over site to Police non-emergency and 999 emergency lines	Documented SOP with police contact numbers and escalation steps	HSE Manager	Reviewed annually
56	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Personnel trained to record time, direction, altitude and description of unidentified drone without attempting to disable it	Training attendance record and drone-sighting report template	HSE Officer	Induction and annually
57	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Unidentified drone sighting logged in incident register within one hour of occurrence	Incident register entry with timestamp and reporting officer name	Site Supervisor	Immediate/each occurrence
58	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Site management notified NCEMA-aligned emergency communication protocol activated for security-related drone incidents near critical works	Notification log showing chain of communication followed	Project Manager	Each occurrence
59	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Photographic/video evidence of unidentified drone captured where safely possible for police investigation	Evidence file (photo/video) with metadata timestamp submitted to authorities	Security Officer	Each occurrence
60	Suspicious/Unidentified Drone Sighting Response	Work suspended in affected area if unidentified drone poses credible safety threat, pending police clearance	Work suspension record with resumption authorization from Project Manager	Site Supervisor	Each occurrence
61	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Ground control station positioned in a safe, unobstructed area away from vehicular traffic and site hazards	GCS location assessment checklist completed pre-flight	Drone Operator	Each flight
62	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Visual observer assigned to maintain line-of-sight with UAV throughout flight where required by GCAA category	Visual observer assignment recorded in flight log	Drone Operator	Each flight
63	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Pre-flight equipment inspection (battery, propellers, GPS lock, firmware) completed and documented	Completed pre-flight checklist form signed by pilot	Drone Operator	Each flight
64	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Battery storage and charging conducted per manufacturer fire-safety guidance, away from flammable materials	Battery storage area inspection checklist	HSE Officer	Weekly
65	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Post-flight debrief conducted covering any anomalies, near-misses, or airspace incursions	Post-flight debrief form with anomalies logged and closed out	Drone Operator	Each flight
66	Ground Control Station & Operational Safety	Maintenance and calibration schedule for UAVs followed per manufacturer recommendations	Maintenance log with calibration dates and technician sign-off	Equipment Custodian	Per manufacturer schedule
67	Third-Party & Public Interface Management	Public/adjacent community notified in advance where drone flights may be visible from outside site boundary	Notification letter/community notice with distribution record	Community Liaison Officer	Prior to campaign
68	Third-Party & Public Interface Management	Complaints from public or neighboring facilities regarding drone activity logged and investigated within 24 hours	Complaint register with investigation outcome and closure date	HSE Manager	Within 24h of complaint
69	Third-Party & Public Interface Management	Coordination with Dubai Police Aviation Unit / Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing maintained for any special event or high-profile flights	Coordination email/letter reference number on file	Project Manager	Each special event
70	Third-Party & Public Interface Management	Subcontractors operating their own drones vetted for GCAA compliance before being permitted on site	Subcontractor drone compliance checklist completed prior to access	HSE Manager	Prior to subcontractor mobilization
71	Third-Party & Public Interface Management	Media or marketing drone footage reviewed and approved before external publication to avoid disclosing sensitive project/security details	Approval sign-off record from Project Director prior to publication	Project Director	Each publication
72	Training, Awareness & Records Management	Annual refresher training conducted for drone pilots covering GCAA regulation updates and UAE photography law	Training attendance sheet and certificate renewal record	HSE Manager	Annually
73	Training, Awareness & Records Management	Toolbox talk delivered to all site staff on identifying and reporting unauthorized drones or photography	Toolbox talk record with topic, date, and attendee signatures	Site Supervisor	Quarterly
74	Training, Awareness & Records Management	Emergency response drill conducted simulating unauthorized/hostile drone incursion including police notification	Drill report with timing, participants, and lessons-learned log	HSE Manager	Semi-annually
75	Training, Awareness & Records Management	Audit of drone operation records (permits, flight logs, incident reports) conducted to verify regulatory compliance	Internal audit report with findings and corrective action tracker	HSE Auditor	Quarterly
76	Training, Awareness & Records Management	All drone-related documentation (permits, NOCs, insurance, logs) retained in a centralized, controlled document register	Document control register with version history and retrieval access log	Document Controller	Ongoing
77	Training, Awareness & Records Management	Lessons learned from drone-related incidents shared across projects to update the checklist and SOP	Lessons-learned bulletin distributed and acknowledgement records collected	HSE Manager	After each incident/annually
78	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Third-party property damage liability clause reviewed by legal counsel for all drone contracts	Legal review memo confirming liability clause adequacy on file	Legal/Contracts Manager	Prior to contract execution
79	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Chain of custody for drone-captured data/images documented to support any legal or regulatory inquiry	Chain of custody log with handler names and timestamps	Document Controller	Each flight campaign
80	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Data protection compliance verified for any images containing identifiable individuals per UAE data protection law	Data protection compliance checklist completed and signed	Legal/Compliance Officer	Each flight campaign
81	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Written client authorization obtained confirming scope of aerial photography/videography permitted on project	Signed client authorization letter defining scope and boundaries	Project Manager	Prior to each campaign
82	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Non-disclosure agreement in place for external drone service providers handling sensitive site imagery	Signed NDA on file for each third-party provider	Procurement Manager	Prior to engagement
83	Insurance, Liability & Legal Documentation	Retention and disposal schedule defined for drone footage to prevent unauthorized long-term storage	Retention/disposal policy document with disposal log entries	IT/HSE Manager	Reviewed annually
84	Incident Reporting & Corrective Action	Any GCAA regulation breach or airspace incursion reported to GCAA within required notification timeframe	Incident report copy with GCAA acknowledgment reference number	HSE Manager	Within 24h of occurrence
85	Incident Reporting & Corrective Action	Root cause analysis conducted for any drone-related near-miss or unauthorized photography incident	RCA report with corrective and preventive actions assigned	HSE Manager	Within 5 working days of incident
86	Incident Reporting & Corrective Action	Corrective actions from drone incidents tracked to closure with verification of effectiveness	Corrective action tracker with closure verification sign-off	HSE Manager	Ongoing until closure
87	Incident Reporting & Corrective Action	Statistics on drone flights, incidents and unauthorized photography attempts compiled and reviewed in monthly HSE meeting	Monthly HSE report including drone/photography statistics section	HSE Manager	Monthly
88	Incident Reporting & Corrective Action	Disciplinary procedure applied consistently for personnel found conducting unauthorized photography or unapproved drone flights	Disciplinary action record referencing policy clause breached	HR Manager	As required, each occurrence

Each checkpoint records Status (Yes / No / N/A), Comments, Corrective Action and Sign-off. Switch to Complete in-app to fill it here, or download the blank version to complete on site.

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