Are solar installers exposed to a fall accident?

Although there is a lack of formalized reporting and verification of solar worker fall accident data, it is clear that most residential and commercial solar installers are exposed to the risk factors clarified in the previous paragraph.

Are solar PV systems dangerous?

However, as with any electrical system, there are potential safety risks that must be considered. In this blog, we will delve into the most common hazards associated with solar PV systems, including electrical shock and fire risks, as well as fall hazards for those working on installations.

How dangerous is a photovoltaic installation?

Safety risks and mitigation measures Falls from elevated surfaces are the most significant contributing occupational hazard to fatalities in the construction industry (Dong et al., 2019, U.S. Department of Labor, 1990). Photovoltaic installations performed on elevated working surfaces expose installers to the risk of falling from dangerous heights.

Are there occupational safety risks associated with solar PV installation?

An obstacle to solar PV growth is the severity of the occupational safety risks associated with their installation. Although PV installers are known to experience some of the most significant and widespread construction-related occupational safety risks, PV installer accident investigation research, reporting, and verification are limited.

Which safety risks are associated with PV installations?

Through reviewing these articles, four major safety risk categories were identified as being associated with PV installations: (1) electrical and fire risks, (2) heat stress, (3) manual handling risks, and (4) fall risks.

Are solar fall protection systems safe for residential buildings?

Ho et al.’s (2020) PtD study on solar safety for residential buildings identified, through worker interviews, that solar professionals found fall protection systems to be inconvenient (i.e., heavyweight and conducive to tripping hazards).