WorkSafe and Solar Victoria have developed safety solution sheets to help solar installers maintain safe worksites.

The seven new technical solution sheets are designed to help installers assess risks, plan a safe approach to installation and comply with their occupational health and safety duties. WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer says employers must do everything they reasonably can to reduce the risk of falls from height.

“When installing solar panels on roofs, there are many measures employers must take to reduce the risk of falls, such as using edge protection and a fall arrest system,” Narelle says.

“Doing nothing is never an option. WorkSafe has prosecuted seven solar businesses this year, all in relation to working at height offences.”

WorkSafe has now conducted more than 2,100 inspections of solar installation sites as part of the Solar Homes Program. A one-day inspection blitz in May revealed some businesses are still risking workers’ safety, with the most frequent improvement notices issued in relation to unaddressed risks when working at height.

To help address this, the safety solution sheets cover safety in a range of solar work areas including height, edge protection, manual handling of heavy and bulky items, ladder safety, working near asbestos-containing materials, safe work practices using elevating work platforms and avoiding falls through skylights, fragile roofs and voids.

“Our safety and quality audits have found the number of unsafe installations has more than halved since the program commenced, however, there is clearly more work to be done,” Solar Victoria chief executive officer Stan Krpan says.

“These technical guidance sheets are a valuable reference to ensure businesses know exactly what they need to do to protect their most important asset: their workers.”

The Victorian Government’s flagship $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program, delivered by Solar Victoria, has supported the installation of solar panels on more than 235,000 rooftops since 2018.

Rooftop solar installations can prove dangerous if the right safety measures aren’t in place, with falls from height being the most serious risk associated with the task. In extreme cases, falls can lead to serious injury or even death.