Falling in line: SafeWork NSW targeting solar installation heights protections in new compliance blitz
SafeWork NSW has launched a compliance blitz targeting solar businesses to address high rates of worker fall hazards and safety violations.
The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by SafeWork NSW.
SafeWork NSW has launched a compliance campaign to address the slack in solar businesses protecting workers from fall hazards, which remains the leading cause of fatalities on NSW building sites.
In the 2021-2022 period, fines totalling over $200K were issued across 403 notices of non-compliance. The bulk of these were for fall-related issues, followed by falling objects and electrical risks. During 2022, 86 solar rooftop installations sites were inspected, to reveal substantial levels of non-compliance:
- Inadequate fall protections, 54%
- Insufficient controls for falls through brittle materials, 42%
- Improper or lack of harness use, 64%
- Lack of detailed safety plans, 61%
The industry is urged to make use of temporary edge protections and scaffolds where possible and leave harnesses as a measure of last resort.
SafeWork NSW has warned of a zero-tolerance approach, reminding retailers and installers that not complying with legislative requirements attracts fines of up to $3600. According to Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin,
“Inspectors often find those in the solar industry taking short-cuts and endangering the lives of workers by not having adequate safety measures in place. We will be taking a zero-tolerance approach and those caught will be fined and potentially prosecuted."
