A Victorian solar installer has been fined $10,000 after a first-year apprentice with only two-months experience was tasked with installing solar panels while unsupervised.

Community Energy Group, trading as Space Solar, pleaded guilty at Melbourne Magistrates Court to failing to provide the supervision necessary for employees to perform their work safely and without risk to health.

WorkSafe Victoria stated that on June 19, 2019, two Energy Safe Victoria officers observed solar panels being installed at a Craigieburn property.

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The officer’s inquiries revealed a first-year apprentice was carrying out the installation unsupervised, installing electrical cables into a live switchboard and installing solar panels on a two-storey property with no edge protection.

The court heard the company director, who held an electrical licence, had not been on site since earlier that day.

The apprentice had no formal training in the work he had been directed to perform. The equipment he was using at the time was energised.

Electrical work can be deadly. It is essential that inexperienced workers are properly supervised, trained to perform work safely, and encouraged to speak up if they are unsure or feel unsafe.

Make sure your business:

• Always de-energises and locks-out the switchboard or circuit to be worked on and test live parts are de-energised before starting or restarting work.
• Ensures all SWMSs are adhered to.
• Ensures all apprentices are properly supervised.

Master Electricians have unlimited, direct access to the MEA Safety, Technical, and Employer Advice teams. Some of the many benefits of membership. Phone 1300 889 198.