Electrical contractors have been reminded of the dangers of working in ceiling spaces after a worker suffered burns when he touched a rodent-damaged cable.

The telecommunications worker was installing CCTV in the ceiling space when he brushed up against a cable he did not realise was damaged.

The Queensland Electrical Safety Office is investigating the incident.

The injury is a reminder of the dangers of working in ceiling spaces. If you are working in a ceiling or roof space, make sure you turn off the main power switches at the switchboard. In Western Australia it is illegal to work in a ceiling space without turning the mains power off.

But remember, some cables, such as service lines and solar PV cables may still be live.

Use torches and cordless tools so you don’t need power when you’re working in the ceiling space.

Ceiling space hazards:

• solar PV systems have supply cables that may be live during daylight hours
• battery energy storage systems and uninterruptable power supply systems may have live cables
• damaged electrical cables or equipment
• insulation material covering electrical fittings or equipment (unless the electrical equipment is designed to be covered by insulation such as an IC-4 rated luminaire)
• heat, working at height, dangerous vermin, sharp objects and asbestos containing materials.