Working at Heights Training for Solar Installers
5 Things every solar installer should know about Working at Height
Working at Heights training is an important part of preparing solar installers to work safely on rooftops. Installing PV modules, mounting structures and other equipment often involves working at height, where understanding how to use fall-arrest equipment correctly is essential.
A harness alone is not enough. Solar installers also need to understand how anchor positions, fall distances, equipment condition and rescue planning affect their safety.
While Working at Heights training is relevant across many industries, it is particularly important for rooftop solar installation teams.
Here are five things every solar installer should know before working at height.
1. A harness is only one part of a fall-arrest system
A fall-arrest system consists of several elements working together. These include an anchor point, body harness, connector and deceleration device, as well as an emergency plan and the equipment needed to respond to a fall.
Simply wearing a harness therefore doesn’t mean that a worker is adequately protected. The equipment needs to be appropriate for the work being done, correctly fitted and connected, and used as part of a properly planned fall-arrest system.
2. Where you anchor affects how far you can fall
The position of the anchor point makes a significant difference to the distance a person can fall before the fall-arrest system takes effect.
Consider two people using the same harness and lanyard. One connects to an anchor point above the harness attachment, while the other connects below it. Although their equipment is identical, their potential free-fall distance is not.
When the anchor point is below the harness D-ring, the additional free-fall distance needs to be taken into account. Lanyard length, deceleration distance and movement of the harness during a fall also affect the total clearance required.
This is why choosing and positioning an anchor point correctly is an important part of working safely at height.
For solar installers working on pitched or flat roofs, anchor positioning needs to be considered alongside the roof layout, available fall clearance and the areas where installation work will take place.
3. A fall doesn’t necessarily take you straight down
Fall clearance isn’t the only consideration.
If a person falls while positioned to the side of an anchor point, they may swing back towards the structure. This is known as the pendulum effect, or a swing fall.
A fall-arrest system may prevent the worker from reaching the ground, but the worker could still strike a roof, wall, scaffolding or another part of the structure.
On a rooftop solar installation, a swing fall could cause a worker to strike the roof edge, mounting structures or other parts of the building.
The position of both the worker and the anchor point therefore needs to be considered before work begins.
4. Fall-arrest equipment needs to fit and be inspected properly
Fall-arrest equipment should be checked before it is used.
For a harness, this includes looking for abrasion, fraying, damaged stitching, excessive wear, damaged D-rings or buckles, and signs that a fall-arrest indicator has been activated.
Correct fit is equally important. A harness needs to be adjusted for the individual wearing it and used according to the correct fitting procedure.
These checks may become routine for someone who works at height regularly, but they shouldn’t be skipped. The condition and fit of the equipment directly affect how it performs when it is needed.
For PV installation teams moving between different roofs and working conditions, these pre-use checks should be part of the preparation for every job.
5. Stopping the fall is only part of the emergency
If a fall-arrest system works correctly, the person may avoid hitting the ground but be left suspended in the harness.
Prolonged suspension can lead to suspension trauma, which can become life-threatening.
This is why planning for work at height also needs to consider what happens after a fall. A rescue plan should form part of the preparation for work where fall-arrest equipment is being used.
It is also important to understand the limits of Working at Heights training. The training does not qualify someone to conduct a rescue. Specialist rescue training is required for that.
Why is Working at Heights training important for solar installers?
Rooftop solar installation involves a range of activities that expose workers to fall risks, from positioning mounting structures and handling PV modules to installing equipment and completing electrical connections.
Working at Heights training helps solar installers understand the fall-arrest systems and safety procedures required when carrying out this work.
Depending on the project, client or contractor requirements, installers may also need to provide evidence of appropriate Working at Heights training before being permitted to work on site.
The training is not limited to solar installers. It is also relevant to people working on scaffolding, elevated structures and other locations where there is a risk of falling.
For solar installation companies, ensuring that employees receive appropriate training is an important part of preparing teams for safe, compliant site work.
Working at Heights training and Certification for Solar Installers
GREEN Solar Academy offers Working at Heights training in Gauteng for solar installers and professionals from other industries who need to demonstrate their understanding of fall-arrest techniques.
The training covers SAQA Unit Standard 229998: Explain and perform fall arrest techniques when working at height (NQF Level 1, 2 credits).
The standalone training takes three hours and leads to a QCTO Working at Heights certificate.
Combine Working at Heights Training with PV Mounter
If you’re also looking to develop practical PV installation skills, you can combine Working at Heights with GREEN’s two-day PV Mounter course in Gauteng.
PV Mounter is a hands-on course covering practical PV installation skills, including mounting, working with different roof types, wiring, commissioning and safe working practices. Participants attending the course in Gauteng can add the Working at Heights eLearning and assessment for the optional QCTO Working at Heights certificate for an additional fee.
