WorkSafe partners with Solar Victoria to protect solar installers from falls

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WorkSafe Victoria has joined forces with Solar Victoria to develop new fact sheets protecting solar installers from workplace falls at height. These resources support safety across every stage of solar installation, from planning through to completion on site.

“The seven fact sheets cover safety at 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,” WorkSafe Victoria said.

Why Falls Prevention Matters for Solar Installers

Falls from height remain a leading cause of serious injury for tradespeople working on roofs, and solar companies face particular hazards given the nature of panel installations. Employers must identify hazardous conditions before crews climb onto a roof, then apply appropriate controls to reduce risk.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer urged employers to do all they can to protect workers from falls. "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," Dr Beer said.

Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said these guidance sheets will help installers assess risks and understand their role in ensuring a safe workplace. Businesses across Victoria can use them to strengthen existing health and safety practices, particularly where plant and tools are involved in rooftop tasks.

Key Safety Considerations for Solar Installation Projects

Beyond height and edge protection, solar installers must account for several other risks during installations, including:

• Electrical hazards from live wiring, inverters, and connection points requiring isolation before work begins
• Manual handling risks when moving heavy panels and bulky plant across roofs
• Exposure to asbestos containing materials in older roof structures
• Correct use of elevating work platforms and ladders to prevent falls
• Fragile surfaces, skylights, and voids that pose serious fall hazards

Given the electrical components involved in solar work, employers should ensure crews follow strict lockout procedures and use insulated tools rated for the task at hand. A documented Solar SWMS helps installers plan for these electrical and height-related risks before work commences, giving supervisors a clear reference point for site-specific controls.

The Role of SWMS in Solar Safety

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is essential for high-risk construction work, including solar installations involving falls at height. Each SWMS should outline the specific hazards present on site, the plant and tools being used, and the control measures crews must follow.

For solar companies, a well-prepared SWMS typically addresses:

• Height-related tasks, including roof access and edge protection setup
• Electrical isolation procedures before touching panels or wiring
• Safe operation of elevating work platforms and other plant
• Manual handling techniques for heavy or bulky solar panels
• Emergency response procedures should a fall occur

Every SWMS must be reviewed regularly and updated whenever site conditions change. Solar installers benefit from having a SWMS tailored to each project, rather than relying on generic paperwork that fails to reflect actual site hazards. Our Solar SWMS Pack gives businesses a starting point covering height, electrical, and manual handling risks specific to installation work.

Reviewing a SWMS alongside a falls prevention checklist gives supervisors added confidence that height controls have been properly considered before work begins.

Building a Stronger Falls Management Approach

Falls management extends beyond a single fact sheet or checklist. Employers should integrate height safety into broader falls management systems that cover planning, equipment checks, and ongoing supervision.

WorkSafe Victoria's guidance follows similar warnings issued after recent construction falls prompted a WorkSafe Victoria warning, highlighting that fall-related injuries remain a persistent problem across multiple industries, not just solar installation. WorkSafe has taken similar steps elsewhere, including efforts to protect workers from lead exposure and, in the Northern Territory, guidance to protect workers from extreme heat.

Businesses working across electrical, HVAC, and solar sectors can also draw on broader electrical, HVAC and solar safety packages to cover hazards common across these related trades, while operators handling vehicle-related tasks may also find our Falls from Heavy Vehicles SOP useful for addressing height risks beyond rooftop work.

For more information, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website.

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