Depending on the design of your building and solar panel system it may be possible to install an access system that does not require using a harness.
Solar panel systems have become increasingly commonplace across just about every type of building over recent decades. As many solar panel systems are installed on roof tops, there is also a need for the risks associated with falls from height to be identified and mitigated.
While many safe access and fall protection systems require the use of a harness to be used correctly, this is not the only way. Depending on the design of the building and layout of the solar panels it may be possible to have a system installed that does not require the use of a harness.
PCBU responsibilities for building height safety
Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation (2017), a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is responsible for managing “risks to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person.”
In many circumstances there may be more than one PCBU at a workplace, with each having responsibility for different aspects of the work and work environment.
For those running the site where the work will be undertaken, the responsibility they hold is to maintain safe place of work. When the place of work is a rooftop, then it their role is to make sure the building has a safe method of access and a system in place to prevent or protect against the risk of a fall.
Height safety and flat roofs
Flat roofs present one of the more common quandaries that exist in the world of height safety. And that is the question of whether you need a physical safety system in place.
The answer is, unsurprisingly, it depends. Provided the method of access, path of travel and work area are sufficiently clear of a fall edge, then it is possible that no other fall protection system will be needed.
That said, a flat roof can still present plenty of dangers to workers – especially ones that are wet, have debris on them or just from being exposed to the elements over time.
Once a solar panel system has been installed, the risks can increase again as the number of panels and their location can introduce risks that may not have been present earlier.
Edge clearances
The main issue that can arise when solar panels are installed on a flat roof is that previous clearances to fall edges may not exist anymore.
Many solar panel installations involve placing as many panels as possible on a roof in dense layouts. For workers to move around these panels they may need to travel much closer to the roof edge than they may been previously.
Even in cases where a fall protection system had been installed on a flat roof for edge access our team has often come across systems that have been rendered non-compliant and unsafe following placement of a solar system.
Guardrail and edge protection
The most straight forward way to maintain access to a roof without needing a harness is to install guardrail around fall edges.
This is especially useful in situations where workers had previously been able to access a roof area while keeping clear of fall hazards, but changes to the roof now mean that is no longer possible.
The benefit of using a guardrail system to maintain harness-free access is that workers will not require additional training or equipment. They can continue working in the same way they did previously, while maintaining protection against a fall.
Walkways and maintaining foothold
Having dedicated walkways and travel paths on a roof can assist in raising levels of safety even if the roof is flat.
There are many reasons why even a flat roof can present risks of a fall to workers. In poor weather, they can become slippery. Over time and through exposure to the elements, roofs can collect debris and dirt which reduces grip.
Perhaps the most probable risk, especially on large warehouse roofs, are skylight panels. These panels are generally not able to be walked on (or be trafficked, to use the technical term).
By having walkways, which can be made of non-slip materials including FRP and textured aluminium, installed on a roof safe and sure-footed travel paths and work areas can be made.
Maintaining roof integrity with walkways
One extra advantage of using walkways for solar panel access on roofs is that they also work to protect the roof itself from damage.
People walking directly on roof sheets or tiles can damage them. This can occur through repeated access or even just a once-off.
Installing walkways creates guided travel paths. The walkway material, and its fixings to the roof, also assist in spreading the load of a worker’s weight (along with their tools). This means the roof material is better able to sustain itself during periods of repeated access.
Finally, walkways generally require fewer roof penetrations compared to temporary and fixed roof anchors. Fewer penetrations in the roof means fewer opportunities for leaks to develop.
Partners in protecting people
Height Safety Engineers are the experts in fall protection and safe roof access. Whether it be for solar panel installation and maintenance, gutter cleaning, HVAC repairs or something else our team have the knowledge and expertise to help. We can design, install compliant, cost-effective and easy to use safe access and fall protection systems in just about any environment.
Start your safety journey with us by calling 1300 884 978, emailing enquiries@heightsafety.net or filling out the contact form on this page.