Safe Work Australia publishes new guide aimed at addressing the risks linked to the installation of rooftop solar systems

Safe Work Australia Publishes New Guide Aimed at Addressing the Risks Linked to the Installation of Rooftop Solar Systems

Safe Work Australia has published a new guide to assist duty holders, primarily PCBUs, in managing health and safety risks associated with rooftop solar installation work. This guidance spans retail and planning stages through to installation and testing of rooftop solar systems.

Key Risks Covered in the New Guide

According to Safe Work Australia, rooftop solar installation involves substantial health and safety challenges. These include:

• Risks of operating at heights, including falls
• Danger posed by falling objects
• Heat stress during outdoor installation work
• Hazards linked to working with electrical systems and battery storage

Businesses installing solar panel systems must account for these hazards when planning jobs, since electrical faults, height-related falls and manual handling injuries remain common causes of harm on rooftop worksites.

Why This Guidance Matters for Safety Professionals

Rooftop solar installation demands careful coordination between electrical safety practice, working at heights procedures and equipment handling protocols. Given the growth of solar power adoption across residential and commercial properties, this model guide offers timely advice for teams managing installation projects involving photovoltaic systems and connected electrical infrastructure.

Technical teams working across construction, energy retrofit and electrical trades will find the resource useful for aligning site practices with recognised safety benchmarks. Readers can also review Safe Work Australia's related guidance on managing risks of industrial rope access systems, which addresses similar height-related hazards found across rooftop and elevated work environments.

Supporting Safe Work Method Statements

Organisations seeking to strengthen documentation around rooftop electrical systems installation may benefit from reviewing SafetyDocs' Solar Hot Water Installation on Roof Safe Work Method Statement, which addresses comparable rooftop hazards including height access and equipment handling.

For businesses unsure whether a formal SWMS applies to their solar or electrical installation tasks, SafetyDocs' guide on when a Safe Work Method Statement is required outlines the compliance triggers under current WHS frameworks. A broader overview of documentation standards is also available via the Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) product guide.

Access the Guide

Access the new guide by clicking here.

This publication forms part of Safe Work Australia's ongoing effort to provide practical resources addressing emerging risks across Australian workplaces. Additional resources covering related hazard categories are available, including Safe Work Australia's guidance on developing asbestos registers and its materials addressing online harassment risks in the workplace, both reflecting the national regulator's broader commitment to comprehensive workplace safety advice.