Solar installation workers in NSW are facing a crackdown and random site visits after inspections last year revealed lapses in safety procedures.
The crackdown is part of a six-month statewide operation to ensure that the growing industry adheres to safety regulations.
The operation comes as a consequence of inspections in 2021 that saw 286 solar panel installation sites reviewed.
Of these, 69 per cent of sites were using only harnesses, or did not have fall protection at all.
The safest protection against falls from heights when working on a roof is to use roof rails or scaffolding. Solar rooftop installers must use harnesses only as a last resort when roof rails cannot be installed.
Of the sites using harnesses, 32 per cent did not have appropriate anchor points in place, and half were not clipped on to anything. A further 26 per cent of sites did not have their ladder fixed at the top, nor did the ladder extend one metre past the landing space.
According to SafeWork NSW executive director compliance and dispute resolution Matthew Press, the biggest threat to solar panel installation workers was falling from heights or the risk of electrocution.
“Falls from heights is the biggest cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites, with most serious or fatal falls being from roofs, ladders or unsafe scaffolds — and from a height of four metres or less (about the height of a single storey house) ... solar retailers and installers have responsibilities under work health and safety laws to ensure workers are not at risk,” Mr Press said.
Mr Press has promised that on-the-spot fines of $3600 will be issued without hesitation and that there will be zero tolerance of those breaking the rules.
Solar panel installation is becoming increasingly popular across Australia, with NSW leading the state and territories in the amount of installations undertaken.