Solar Installation Roof Safety

For electrical contractors involved in solar roof installations who think that the same occupational safety and health administration osha safety requirements apply to their workers that apply to roofers a recent court ruling may come as a surprise.

Solar installation roof safety.

Take extreme precautions to avoid falling from roof. A roof safety harness is also an essential piece of equipment when working on a sloped roof and together with a roof anchor forms a complete ppe personal protective equipment system for fall prevention. Installing solar panels will increase the weight on the structure of your roof. If the weight of these solar panels is too much for your roof to handle there is a potential that it will collapse.

Holes in your roof never sounds great but there are several safety measures used by solar installers to make sure your roof remains structurally sound and won t leak at all. The international fire code 605 11 3 2 4 that states panels modules installed shall be located no higher than 3 ft below the ridge to allow for fire department ventilation operations significantly decreases the attractiveness of residential solar pv because it applies to both sides of a peaked roof. To prevent water from getting through the new hole the bolt fixture will be surrounded by flashing which is a metal or plastic shield that fits under existing roof tiles. Scaffolding stepladders and ladders may be dangerous and require caution.

Alternatively you can install a permanent roof anchor if you expect to be doing a lot of roof work in the future. It may sound shocking but solar panel wiring can give you quite the jolt if you re not careful. Watch roof anchor video. Safety concerns with solar power systems.

As a basic rule do not work on solar pv systems alone always have a least one other person with you in case of accident or emergency. When working on roof tops always insure that extreme safety precautions including harnesses lifelines and safety nets are taken to prevent slipping falling and causing injury or death. A california based electrical contractor was working on a rooftop solar installation and assumed its workers were expected to comply with osha fall protection standards for roofers instead of the more stringent standards required for other. You can include and edit the current job steps and safety requirements and also add as many new job steps as you like.

Solar is a growing sector for green energy and green jobs. This is very dangerous for many reasons not to mention costly. The entire framework is customisable so that you can build the perfect swms for your operations for free. Employers working in the solar energy business need to protect their workers from workplace hazards and workers need to understand how to protect themselves from hazards.

The installation of solar modules involves work in high places. First and foremost adhere to. This solar installation swms is intended to provide you with a great starting point for your own safe work method statement.