Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, has announced that SafeWork NSW inspectors are targeting rooftop solar panel installation, as part of the ongoing focus on reducing fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry. If you’re a solar panel installer expect an unannounced visit from Safe Work inspectors who are intent on ensuring the industry puts safety first.
In the media release Mr Kevin Anderson mentioned it will be a “zero-tolerance approach to those who put workers lives at risk by not using the right safety gear or conducting work without a license”. Installers will face on-the-spot fines of up to $720 and fines up to $3,600 for businesses.
Where to from here?
SafeWork have released a guide to safe solar installations and a solar installers checklist. Act now before it’s too late, there is no excuse now.
Click here to get your safe solar installation guide
Click here to get your checklist
Safe Work will also be holding a free virtual safety event throughout March/April for all solar installers and workers. The event will provide further information on how to manage the risks such as:
- Falling of ladders
- Falling through brittle roof sheets
- Contact with electricity
- Falling off the edge of a roof
Participation in this event may also enable the business to be eligible for the SafeWork NSW $500 small business rebate to assist in purchasing safety equipment. Anchor Safe strongly encourage business to attend this event in view of better understanding the risks associated with working at heights and in return being able to recognise & eliminate risks when they arise.
See Event date and times below
- 23 March 2021 4pm to 5pm
- 30 March 2021 4 pm to 5pm
- 6 April 2021 4pm to 5pm
Four key action items & things you need to know and implement instantly
One: Take our free online Height Safety Health Check. . This quiz will ask you questions regarding your organisation, your height safety systems and current knowledge and training practices. Upon completion, you will receive a report outlining areas of concern in your height safety systems.
Two: In determining the type of height safety system required for the job it can be useful to apply a hierarchy of control. Learn the Hierarchy of control here
Three: What system will benefit you the most? Fall restraint or Fall arrest? The difference between fall arrest and fall restraint systems is quite significant, however both are designed to keep workers safe and reduce fatalities when undertaking work at heights. It is important to make a full assessment of every individual situation to determine which system is best.
Four: Training your team is highly important. The requirements for working safely at height include industry standard training courses with refresher courses every three years. As new tools or workplace scenarios are introduced, more frequent training and on the job support may be required. Book your team in today!
Take the right steps today to better protect your workers and ensuring your site is compliant. Call us on 1300 475 186 to find out how we can provide your team with a fully accredited fall protection system. You can also browse Anchor Safe’s range of harnesses and fall prevention devices here .
Resources
Guide
Checklists
- Solar installers safety checklist
- Construction falls from heights principal contractor safety checklist (PDF 503kb)
Fact sheets
- Working at heights – general safety
- Electrical practices – construction and demolition sites fact sheet
- Electrical Work – general safety
- Working in extreme heat
Safety alerts
- Solar installation fall from roof – serious injury (7 January 2020)
- Fall through fibro roof – fatality (9 January 2020)
- Fall through polycarbonate roof sheeting – fatality (4 August 2020)
- Electrical hazards when working in ceiling spaces
Codes of practice
- Managing the risk of falls in housing construction (PDF 7MB)
- Managing the risk of falls at workplaces (PDF 4.1MB)
- Managing electrical risks in the workplace (PDF 1.3MB)
- Hazardous Manual Tasks (PDF 1.5MB)
- Construction Work (PDF 1MB)
- Managing the environment and facilities (PDF 409kb)
Australian Standards
- AS/NZS3000:2018 Electrical Installations (AUS/NZ Wiring Rules)
- AS/NZS 1170.2011(R2016) Structural Design Actions – Wind Actions
- AS/NZS 4994.1.2009 Temporary edge protection – General requirements
- AS/NZS 4994.1.2009 Temporary edge protection – Roof edge protection – installation and dismantling
- AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
- AS/NZS 1576.1.209 – Scaffolding – General requirements
- AS 4576:2020 – Guidelines for scaffolding
