Assessing impacts of drone-induced distraction on postural stability of roofers during shingle installation on inclined surfaces

Roofers face elevated injury risks due to the hazardous nature of working on inclined surfaces, which often require awkward postures and precise balance. The increasing use of drones in construction introduces a potential new hazard, because their presence may distract roofers and impair postural stability. Although prior studies have explored the impact of drones on workers' attention, there is limited research on their effects on workers' balance, particularly in high-risk environments such as roofing. This study investigated the effects of drone distraction on roofers' balance on the slanted roof surface. A controlled laboratory experiment was conducted with 24 participants who simulated a static shingle installation task on an adjustable wooden platform while wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset. The VR environment replicated three roofing conditions (i.e., pitch slopes 0, 3/12, and 6/12), under four drone conditions [i.e., no-drone control, and drone intrusions at altitudes of 4.88 m (16 ft), 14.63 m (48 ft), and 24.99 m (82 ft)]. Center of pressure (COP) data were recorded using a force plate and then processed into metrics, including mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) maximum COP displacement, ML and AP RMS displacement, and sway area, to assess balance stability. The results demonstrated that closer drone proximity significantly increased distraction, leading to greater postural instability. These findings highlight the potential safety risks posed by drone operations near roofing work and underscore the need for guidelines on safe drone deployment in construction zones to minimize worker distraction and enhance fall prevention strategies.