Rooftop solar installation work

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has updated the Guide to managing the risks of rooftop solar installation work to include guidance and information on managing the work health and safety (WHS) risks related to the installation of battery energy storage systems (batteries).

GUIDANCE UPDATES

With batteries becoming increasingly popular to support rooftop solar systems, SWA have updated their guidance to provide employers and other duty holders with clear, practical information on managing the WHS risks around battery installation effectively.

The updated guide supports anyone involved in retailing, surveying, designing, installing, testing, commissioning, retrofitting, repairing, maintaining, decommissioning or removing rooftop solar systems on residential or commercial structures. This includes new or retrofitted solar panels, inverters, batteries and related equipment.

WHS RISKS

Rooftop solar installation work, including the installation of batteries, can have serious WHS risks arising from activities such as working at heights and working with electricity, so it is critical that these risks are identified and controlled. Battery installations, especially lithium-ion systems pose significant WHS risks such as:

• Electrical hazards

• Fire and explosion risks

• Chemical exposure

• Manual handling injuries

• Emergency response challenges.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• Guide to managing the risks of rooftop solar installation work | Safe Work Australia

• Installation of solar panels - WorkSafe ACT

• Working at heights - WorkSafe ACT

• Guidance note: Electrical hazards when working in ceiling spaces

• Guidance note: Prior to entering the ceiling space