Home / How safety affects payments / Workplace Dangers / Workplace Hazards for Your Safety and Compensation / Construction Hazards and Risks /

Roofs and In Ceiling Spaces: Managing Hazards for Worker Safety

Installing cabling and accessing ceiling spaces for tasks like solar panel or aerial installation on roofs presents significant risks to workers.

At WorkCover Queensland, it is crucial for business operators, managers, and workers to collaborate on implementing health and safety measures. Additionally, ensuring staff undergo proper training is essential to minimize the risk of serious injuries or potential fatalities when working at heights or in ceiling spaces.

Risks: Working at heights and in proximity to electricity pose substantial threats to workers engaged in roof and ceiling space activities.

Managing Risks:

Electricity:

  • Electricity is a notable hazard. Before commencing work, turn off all electricity at the main switchboard and take measures to prevent it from being reactivated during work.
  • When dealing with solar photo voltaic (PV) systems, exercise caution around live cables connecting solar cells to the inverter unit.
  • Minimize contact with exposed conductive parts on roofs or in ceiling spaces, such as guttering or metal battens, to avoid potential electrical hazards.

Note: Turning off electricity at the main switchboard doesn't deactivate the electricity supply from the street, leaving incoming overhead service lines and supplying cables live. Extreme caution is necessary to avoid contact with live overhead electrical lines or supply cables.

Exclusion zones, generally set at 3 meters, must be maintained when working near incoming service lines. Refer to the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 for details on exclusion zones.

Work at heights: A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risk of falls, ensuring the safety of individuals likely to be injured by a fall.

Before entering roofs and in ceiling spaces:

  • Turn off electricity before entering the ceiling space.
  • Conduct a pre-work risk assessment, identifying potential hazards like high temperatures, vermin, sharp objects, asbestos, lighting types, insulation materials, and the location of electrical wiring, water, or gas piping.

Work on roofs and in ceiling spaces: Considerations when working in ceiling spaces involve:

  • Ensuring someone is aware of your location and maintaining contact until work completion.
  • Being cautious about heat stress due to heat and humidity, maintaining sufficient fluid intake when working on roofs and in ceiling spaces.
  • Providing additional lighting as ceiling spaces typically have poor lighting.
  • Exercising care while accessing and traversing the work area to avoid tripping hazards.
  • Using appropriate tools, being aware of electrical cables, fittings, and equipment, and avoiding contact with them.
  • Ensuring fixings for cables are clear of electrical cables and equipment.
  • Taking precautions not to damage any electrical cables or equipment; if damage occurs, consult with the owner and engage a licensed electrical contractor for inspection.
  • Wearing well-maintained personal protective equipment in dusty ceiling spaces AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

Completion of work in roofs and in ceiling spaces: Once work is completed:

  • Replace any disturbed insulation material without covering electrical fittings or equipment.
  • Dispose of debris and waste properly.
  • Wash hands, face, neck, and hair with soap and water.

replica uhren replica horloges