Osha Solar Panel Rules

In june the united states court of appeals for the ninth circuit decided that rooftop solar panel installation is not roofing work under occupational safety and health administration osha.

Osha solar panel rules.

Workers performing servicing or maintenance of solar panels may be exposed to injuries from the unexpected energization or release of stored energy in the equipment. Osha working safely with electricity. Employers working in the solar energy business need to protect their workers from workplace hazards and workers need to understand how to protect. Typically solar panels installations are covered by osha subpart s standards in part 1910 if they are not connected to distribution systems i e a system that is supplying power to two or more buildings or if they are only emergency or standby in nature.

Installers should ever be allowed to climb ladders while carrying solar panels ladder hoists swing hoists or truck mounted cranes conveyors should be used wherever possible to lift up solar equipment. For more info see osha factsheet. Various worker health and safety hazards exist in the manufacture installation and maintenance of solar energy. Solar energy employers connecting to grid are covered by the electric power generation transmission and distribution standards and therefore may be required to implement the safe work practices and worker training requirements of osha s electric power generation transmission and distribution standard 29 cfr 1910 269.

While solar energy is a growing industry the hazards are not unique and osha has many standards that cover them. Solar power is a growing sector for green energy and green jobs. A california based electrical contractor was working on a rooftop solar installation and assumed its workers were expected to comply with osha fall protection standards for roofers instead of the more stringent standards required for other. Workers exposed to potential electrical hazards must be provided with appropriate electrical protective equipment and workers must use them.

Putting up solar panels best practice. Workers should never be allowed to climb ladders while carrying solar panels. They must be periodically inspected or tested. Follow these solar power safety rules to minimize your risk the first safety rule to keep in mind when working with photovoltaic panels or other pv components is always stop.

Do not apply pressure on pv photovoltaic panels by sitting or stepping on them or they might break and cause bodily. Maintenance work on solar panels is generally considered to fall under osha s general industry standards. Electrical protective equipment must be maintained in a safe and reliable condition.