Rooftop Solar Compliance Crackdown Targets Installer Violations
Rooftop solar installers in New South Wales are facing increased scrutiny as SafeWork NSW launches a new “compliance blitz” to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations during PV system installations.
Inspectors will be conducting thorough checks to verify that installers are complying with safety laws to prevent accidents and injuries while working on rooftops.
Previous Non-Compliance
The decision to launch this new blitz stems from data collected during the 2022 inspection campaign, which uncovered a significant level of non-compliance with safety protocols among installers.
During the previous blitz, inspectors visited 86 installation sites and issued 403 notices, resulting in fines amounting to $216,864. The most common issues identified were related to the risk of falls from heights, falling objects, and electrical hazards.
Key Findings
The 2022 report highlighted several alarming findings, including the fact that over half of the sites lacked adequate fall protection measures. Additionally, a majority of workers wearing harnesses were not correctly connected to the safety system, and most sites did not have a detailed plan of the rooftop and system layout.
Trent Curtin, head of SafeWork NSW, expressed concern over the tendency of some in the solar industry to cut corners and compromise worker safety by
