Solar retailer safety toolkit
Solar retailers have a responsibility to ensure solar installers have the right capabilities, licences, safety systems and equipment for the job. They should also verify that the solar installers have put safety measures in place.
Solar retailers cannot contract out or transfer their duties under WHS laws.
This toolkit has been developed in partnership with solar retailers to:
- provide practical ideas, tips, tools and good practice information to fulfill your safety duties as a rooftop solar panel retailer
- help you prevent incidents, injury and fatalities on your jobs.
When onboarding and at regular intervals
Step 1: Know your installers
Check:
- their workers compensation policy
- safety planning and safety equipment
- that their workers have appropriate knowledge and licences
- whether installers are equipped and trained to perform certain types of jobs, such as on single or double storey buildings. This allows you to allocate jobs safely based on skills and expertise.
Use the Know your solar installers template (PDF, 670.62 KB) to help you.
For every job
Step 2: Gather safety information as part of your quoting
Check:
- roof material and pitch
- proximity to overhead powerlines
- whether there are skylights or fragile roof sheeting
- the condition of the roof
- proximity to the structure entry point, such as driveways, footpaths, public space
- access to the roof
- ground conditions.
Use the Fall protection assessment template (PDF, 132.92 KB) to help you.
Step 3: Assign the job to an installer who is capable
Ensure they can:
- manage the site-specific risks
- implement high order controls such as temporary edge protection or scaffold
- implement safe systems of work.
Use the Know your solar installers template (PDF, 670.62 KB) to help you.
Step 4: Consult on the safety systems and equipment
Ensure:
- you discuss the specific risks and agree on control measures required
- you verify the installer has appropriate safety equipment available to complete the activity
- you complete a site-specific safe work method statement (SWMS) for all identified high risk work activities.
Use the following tools to help you:
- Guide to safe solar panel installation
- Solar rooftop installation retailers – safety checklist (PDF, 285.92 KB)
- Solar installers safety checklist
- Working at heights in construction – safety checklist PDF, 208.69 KB
- Roof edge protection – temporary systems for working on roofs PDF, 2885.66 KB
Step 5: Verify the safe system of work prior to commencement of work
Ensure:
- you request photographic evidence of safety
- you perform random site checks to confirm solar installers have implemented agreed controls.
Visit the Solar panel retail and installation page for more infromation on managing your legal duties and risks under WHS laws.