Fall Protection for Solar Installers
Falls from roofs are a leading cause of death among solar installers. Panels and rails are installed near the edge, on slopes, often in heat and wind. A planned fall protection system is as important as the electrical work.
- Solar Installers
- Roofers
- Electricians
What the rule requires
- In construction, workers on a roof with an unprotected edge 6 feet or more above a lower level need fall protection (1926.501(b)(10) for low-slope roofs; (b)(11) for steep roofs). Residential construction may use alternatives only when the employer shows conventional methods are infeasible or create a greater hazard, and has a written plan (1926.501(b)(13)). See Residential Fall Protection.
- Work on a roof with solar panels also adds hazards like skylights, vents, wiring and fragile surfaces.
Options
- Personal fall arrest: full-body harness, lanyard or self-retracting lifeline, tied to a properly installed roof anchor through the shingles into rafters. See Roof Anchors and Personal Fall Arrest Systems.
- Guardrails at the edge, either temporary or freestanding. See Parapets & Low Roof Edges.
- Travel restraint that stops you before you reach the edge.
- Safety nets or aerial lifts in some cases.
- Warning lines only on low-slope roofs and with limits. See Warning Lines & Monitors.
Installation tips
- Install anchors before climbing the roof, and place them to prevent swing falls and keep slack low. See Swing Falls
- Set the ladder correctly, tie it off and extend it 3 feet above the roof. See Extension Ladders
- Use a hoist or lift to bring panels up; avoid carrying them on ladders
- Keep panels flat and secure in wind; lay them away from edges
- Keep cords and tools from becoming trip hazards
- Do not walk on wet, icy or hot (above about 120 degrees F) roofs, or on installed panels
Rescue
Have a written rescue plan before work starts. Know how you will get someone down quickly after a fall; suspension in a harness can cause injury within minutes. Training and equipment for self-rescue or assisted rescue should be available. See Fall Rescue.
Standards & references
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