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Up on the


The growth in popularity of solar energy is opening up new business opportunities for electrical contractors, but it could also be exposing them to new types of risk. ECIC claims manager Ian Hollingworth outlines the key points contractors need to be aware of


T About the author


Ian Hollingworth Ian Hollingworth is claims manager at Electrical Contractors’ Insurance Company.


o state the obvious, installing solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems will involve electrical contractors working in places the like of which they have never worked before – that is, up on


a roof. This brings into sharp focus the requirements of the health and safety legislation embodied in the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Whilst this may not be new to contractors who have to consider the legislation for any work at height, such as working from ladders, it is critical they consider all requirements under the regulations. The Work at Height regulations apply to all work where there is the risk of a fall likely to result in personal injury, and it places duties on employers, employees and the self-employed (referred to in the regulations as duty holders). The over-riding principle of the regulations is that everything is done that is reasonably practicable, both to prevent anyone falling and to prevent materials falling and causing injury. The regulations state that in any situation involving working at height, a full risk assessment must be carried out, and they require duty holders to ensure that:  All work at height is properly planned and organised;  All work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety;


 Those involved in work at height are trained and competent;


 The place where work at height is done is safe;  Equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected;


64 ECA Today May 2012


 The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and


 The risks from falling objects are properly controlled. Although the regulations do allow for ladders to be used if a risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justifi ed, they should only be regarded as a means of access, not a working platform. This will, therefore, mean that any contractor undertaking the installation of solar panels on a roof will need to consider the use of scaffolding in some form. While an appropriate sub-contractor will be responsible for the erection of the scaffolding, it is the responsibility of the electrical contractor installing the solar panels to ensure that anyone using it is properly trained and that the working place is safe, with features to prevent a fall. If an accident occurs resulting in an injury to a worker, the potential fi nancial penalties can be extremely severe. Equally if someone is injured by something falling from a roof, this too could result in a claim for personal injury.


Risk assessments


The need for full risk assessments and the use of specialist suppliers for scaffolding equipment are all things that contractors need to factor in, particularly when looking at the timescale that is likely to be involved on a job. The announcement of the change of Feed-in Tariffs (FITS) for solar PV systems at the end of last year saw an increase in people looking to install before the rate was reduced,


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