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Preventing falls is an important consideration in solar installation workers’ day-to-day, especially because they often work at height while carrying heavy solar panel technology. Fall protection is critical to ensure safe work environments and keep business running as usual.
To help professionals find the information they need to implement reliable fall protection systems, we outlined possible risks of working at height, as well as safety tips to ensure solar installers and techs can successfully complete their work.
Possible Risks When Working at Height and on Rooftops
While some solar panels are installed at ground level, many are found at greater heights, including rooftops and pergolas. Reliable fall protection systems provide safety to installers when they’re working in these environments and have to deal with the risks they pose.
Lack of Safety Equipment
As with construction sites, solar installation sites require fall protection equipment to expedite work. Make sure your team is ready by supplying workers with these essentials:
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Safety harnesses: The fall protection harness for solar installers should be strong enough to accommodate the technician's weight with minimum pressure on the shoulders.
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Roof anchors: They provide temporary anchorage on roofs. They are linked to a technician’s or installer's lanyard via the lifelines.
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Lanyards: A safety lanyard connects a technician to a fall protection anchor point. Shock-absorbing lanyards significantly reduce the impact of a fall.
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Lifelines: Lifelines are strong cords that link a technician to the anchorage. A self-retracting lifeline is installed between the anchorage and harness to provide control when a technician performs their tasks.
Roof Integrity
One such hazard is roof integrity. Faulty and unsafe rooftops can be due to a number of factors, including:
- Poor maintenance
- Old roofs or roofs made with fragile materials
- Poorly covered holes or openings
- Overloaded rooftops
To protect against the risk of falls due to these hazards, OSHA requires that each worker wears a separate lifeline. In this instance, the lifeline could connect to a harness via a lanyard, while its other end would attach to an anchor positioned near the solar installer’s work area.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Rooftop precipitation can make working conditions slippery and put technicians and installers at risk of falling. Snow prevents grip even with the best safety boots. Strong winds can also cause imbalance.
Improper Use of Equipment
Reliable fall protection systems and equipment are only effective if used in keeping with the manufacturer's instructions. When safety equipment is not installed, worn or operated correctly, they can become an additional hazard.
Unskilled Workers
Solar installers and technicians should know the risks in their line of work. Workers not properly trained or otherwise informed can find themselves in easily prevented scenarios. Employers must provide training on safety precautions and use protection including safety harness and lanyard equipment.
OSHA Fall Protection Recommendations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified falls as one of the most common causes of work-related injuries. They have prepared fall protection guidelines to keep every workplace safe. To ensure a solar installation site is OSHA-compliant, every employer must:
- Provide danger-free working conditions.
- Identify and equip workers with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at their cost.
- Train workers about possible hazards in the field in a language they understand.
- Provide suitable fall protection equipment for 4 feet or more elevation. This includes guardrails, personal fall arrest equipment like safety harnesses and lanyards, and safety net systems.
- Guard every hole on the working surface.
- Use lifting equipment such as swing hoists, ladder hoists or truck-mounted cranes to hoist solar panels on the roof.
Safety Tips for Solar Installers and Techs
OSHA compliance alone isn’t enough to ensure solar installers’ safety when working at height. To best protect themselves, there are proactive, thoughtful and vigilant steps they can take to stay safe as they approach their work.
Assess Possible Hazards
Before any work on the roof, the space should be evaluated to ensure it is safe. Any holes should be appropriately covered to avoid falls (per OSHA, holes more than four feet above a building’s lower level need fall protection). A weak roof should not be worked on. Workers should not be subjected to poor weather conditions like rain or snow.
Ensure Proper Attire
The clothing used in the solar installation industry contributes to the safety of the workers. Ensuring workers wear soft-soled boots with a firm grip is advisable to avoid slips. Equip them with overalls that don't restrict movement and are in good condition to avoid getting caught on shingles, ladders, power equipment and nails. A fall protection harness for solar installers, coupled with lifelines and anchor points, are also important for solar installers due to the height of their working environment.
Inspect Protective Equipment Before Use
Before any field work begins, perform a comprehensive pre-use inspection on protective equipment to ensure they have no damage, design flaws or defects. They should also be regularly maintained to keep them at their best standards. Supervisors should also check the load-bearing capacity of fall arrest equipment before handing them to the technician.
Provide Effective Training
Employers must delegate a qualified person to educate workers on identifying and controlling fall hazards when working from the roof. They should train other employees on using new protective equipment such as a safety harness and lanyard or when a site presents unique risks. They should also follow up to keep the workers on their toes. To assist their efforts, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides safety resources to inform workers of the minimum OSHA standards and safety tips.
The Site and Worker Discipline
A solar installation site should be approached with the caution it deserves. Technicians should keep the work areas neat and clean. Idle tools or debris may pose a tripping hazard. Workers on prescription medications with side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness should consult their physicians before working. Smartphones cause distractions and should be prohibited when working.
Protect Your Employees with World-Class Fall Protection Equipment
Determining the right equipment for your workers takes effort. Tractel®, a safety equipment manufacturer for industrial and commercial applications, can help. Our qualified safety experts can recommend necessary equipment including safety harness and lanyard options, anchor points, lifting devices and more. To connect findwith the resources solutions that can help your team and keep your business OSHA or CCOHS-compliant, contact us today.