Solar Panel Installation Safety

 Good WSH Practice In Protecting Solar Panel Installers from Electrocution

The Singapore Green Plan 2030 aims to deploy enough solar energy to power 350,000 households annually by 2030. To support this goal, more solar panels will be installed and workers must be kept safe while doing such works. Along with falling from height risks, electrocution is a major workplace safety and health (WSH) concern during solar panel installation and maintenance.

There are several good practices companies can adopt to protect workers from solar panel-related electrocution risks:

Install solar panels as per design, e.g. a photovoltaic (PV) single line diagram.

Figure 1: Example of a PV single line diagram.

Place and secure an opaque cover over each solar panel to prevent the panel being energised while not plugged in.

Cover all exposed electrical parts such as cables and connectors with an insulated cap to isolate the wire ends/terminals. Workers have been electrocuted even when solar panels were not plugged in, due to exposed cables.

Figure 2: Example of a connector with insulated end cap.

Secure loose cables and connector ends away from the conducting medium (such as metal or water), e.g. by securing them under the solar panel

Figure 3: Example of cables secured under a solar panel.

Provide workers with electrical-resistant personal protective equipment, such as arc-rated protective clothing, insulated gloves and rubber-soled shoes.

Report any PV system breakdown or abnormality, or damaged cables/connector to the licensed electrical worker immediately.

For more information: 

Singapore Standard

SS 601-1: 2020 Photovoltaic (PV) systems – Requirements for testing, documentation and maintenance – Part 1: Grid connected systems – Documentation, commissioning tests and inspection

Ministry of Manpower

Circular on Safe Installation of Photovoltaic (PV) System

Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Energy Market Authority

Handbook for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Workplace Safety and Health Council

Article on Addressing WSH Risks for Safe Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

WSH Alert - Worker Dies After Electrocuted

 Worker electrocuted during solar panel installation

On 12 June 2023, a group of workers was deployed to install solar panels on the rooftop of a building. During the installation, one of the workers noticed an exposed cable arcing and emitting smoke. He got electrocuted after coming into contact with the exposed cable.

He was sent to the hospital and died on the same day.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the cable was lying on the roof, which was wet due to rain before the incident.

What companies should do

Electrocution is a major concern during the installation of solar panels. Solar panels generate live current when exposed to sunlight, even when they are not plugged in.  

The following measures should be taken to protect workers: 

• Connect solar panels as per design: Ensure that the wirings of solar panels are connected in accordance to a design by a Licensed Electrical Worker.

• Insulate exposed electrical parts: Exposed cables or connectors that are not connected should have an insulated cap covering wire ends/terminals. Do not touch the terminals and use only insulated tools.

• Isolate and report damaged equipment: Identify and isolate any damaged wiring, connectors, or faulty equipment in the work area where possible, and report to the supervisor promptly.

• Environmental conditions: Stop electrical work during unfavourable weather, e.g. when there is heavy rain or when the work area is wet. 

• Trained workers: Ensure that only trained and competent workers are allowed to carry out solar panel installation works. They should be familiar with safe work procedures and risk control measures to protect them and their co-workers from risks such as electrocution.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Equip workers with electrically resistant PPE such as arc-rated protective gloves and rubber-soled shoes. 

Falls from height are also a risk when installing solar panels. While this case did not involve any falls, solar installers and contractors are reminded to establish and implement a site-specific fall prevention plan to eliminate or mitigate the risk of falling from height.

For more information, refer to the WSH Council’s article on Addressing WSH Risks for Safe Installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and Energy Market Authority’s Guide to Solar PV.

Under the WSH Act, first-time corporate offenders may be sentenced to the maximum fine of $500,000 whilst individuals can either be sentenced to the maximum fine of $200,000 and/or an imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. Read more on the WSH Act penalties.