Despite the dangers of working at heights most South Australian solar installers are not using fall protection controls.

A recent SafeWork SA compliance audit found three quarters of the State’s solar panel installers did not have controls in place to minimise the risk of a fall.

Inspectors issued 102 prohibition stop-work notices and 83 improvement notices.

The audits found that 75 per cent of solar panel installers were working on a first or second storey pitched roof without any controls in place to minimise the risk of a fall.

SafeWork SA has published new information and guidance on managing risk of falls for solar panel installations as an education tool for installers.

Falls from heights remains the number one cause of notifiable serious injuries on South Australian construction sites, with most serious and fatal falls being from roofs, ladders, or non-compliant scaffolds.

The SafeWork SA 2021 Health and Safety Snapshot relating to falls from heights identified that workers on a roof received the most serious injuries.

Solar retailers and installers have duties under work health and safety laws to ensure workers are safe when installing rooftop solar panels.

Working at heights remains of the most dangerous parts of working in the construction industry. Inspectors across the country take falls from height seriously.

A Queensland company and its director were recently fined a total of $60,000 after a worker was injured in a rooftop fall.

Meanwhile the Victorian and NSW inspectors targeted risk of falls in a cross-border blitz.

Master Electricians can access safety documentation and have unlimited access to the MEA Safety Hotline. Phone 1300 889 198 today.