Following the prosecution of two solar panel companies, the workplace regular is clamping down on rooftop solar installers for installing employees to workplace risks.

Two companies recently faced Downing Centre Local Court in separate prosecutions arising from a solar panel installation at North Ryde on 1 December 2021.

Head of SafeWork NSW, Natasha Mann, says these prosecutions should remind all businesses and workers that safety is not just about whether there is an incident or not, they need to be taking proactive action to manage risks and prevent incidents from occurring.

“In one prosecution, sub-contractor SY Electrical Pty Ltd was convicted and fined $8,000 for failing to minimise the risk of fall from height by not providing and maintaining adequate employee protection,” she says.

“The business was also convicted and fined an additional $8,000 for failing to ensure a Safe Work Method Statement was prepared for the high-risk construction work.”

The court heard two SY Electrical employees were working on the roof of the two-storey residence at North Ryde without any fall protection measures in place. The investigation by SafeWork NSW revealed the employees were working at heights greater than 2m and about 5m respectively.

In the other prosecution, Solar Power Nation Pty Ltd was convicted and fined a total of $14,000 in the Downing Centre Local Court on charges arising from the events at North Ryde.

“We need solar businesses to understand working safely is more than a policy statement in workplace manuals, it’s a legal responsibility that they need to be monitoring every day and on every job,” Natasha says.

“Experience shows that the businesses who invest in a strong safety culture are likely to produce better quality work and have higher staff engagement.”