Floods risk in Solar Construction
In Australia, wet weather events can be intense, frequent and varied which poses multiple risks for Solar Installers. It is fundamental to safety that these risks are identified and managed by employers and workers on site.
SWA (2015) give us some guidance of incidents and in injuries in construction. Out of these wet weather can link as a factor in nearly all incidents which is why variable risks do need to be given the attention they deserve.
Figure 1: SWA statistics (2015)
Common injuries seen
In rank 2, Falls, trips and slips are common wet weather dangers in the industry. These dangers are prevalent when installers are working in elevated positions such as exiting a scissor lift, on ladders or using scaffolding, stairs and ladders.
Multiple risk factors
Wet weather brings other risks such as lightning strikes, mud, strong winds which all need to be considered equally.
High winds can cause increased hazardous conditions, with ever increasing panel sizes that act like sails, unsecured equipment can be dislodged or dropped, and scaffolding can be uplifted. Wet weather can also make driving and operating plant such as forklifts hazardous due to decreased friction, braking capacity and lowered visibility.
Linked risk factors which are compounding
Other risk factors such as fatigue, stress and anxiety are magnified in wet weather.
Lightning
Lightning tends to strike higher ground and seeks good conductors; metals do not attract but are a preferential pathway for strikes so non-contact of wet metal objects in storm events is a control. Risks of people being hit are low at around one in a million but there are multiple deaths per year, so controls need to match.
The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is inside a building that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor, and electrical wiring, plumbing, telephone line, or antennas to ground the lightning, should the building be hit directly.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical hazards are one of the more recognisable dangers associated with working in wet weather. Power tools in rain or wet conditions can lead to electric shock.
Body core temperature regulation
Inclement weather can increase the likelihood of body stress via cold and wet conditions. Increased risk of hypothermia and also mental impairment in poor conditions can lead to poor judgement and increased risk while your body is focusing on maintaining temperatures. Like heat stress, early warning signs of this include excessive shivering, blue lips and fingers, slurred speech, poor coordination and confusion or impaired thinking.
What about your feet you say?
When in boggy mud for periods, trench foot is a condition caused by exposure to damp, cold, unsanitary conditions for prolonged periods of time. The foot becomes numb, changes colour, swells and starts to smell due to damage to the skin, blood vessels and nerves in the feet.
Legal environment and code of practices
There are no specific laws relating to working conditions in wet weather. suggests reviewing weather forecasts prior to undertaking any construction work so that appropriate measures can be taking to ensure worker safety. Code of practices exist but cover a lot of areas for all sectors, so you reach out to You3 for tailored advice.
Link to General Code of practice which deals in these matters here
Right to stop work
Deadlines, different people’s views, time of day, client e.t.c. all can affect our ability to not stop work when it is unsafe. Ensuring the culture of “ its OK to call it” is present, and it is met with positivity and curiosity not judgement. Work must cease if there is an assessment that the
“It is important that work ceases if there is an assessment that the level of risk from the weather is not acceptable to any workers on site.”
Some general precautions
Precautions to take during adverse weather conditions could include:
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Ensuring workers are provided with the necessary skills to identify wet weather-related hazards and illnesses and the processes to follow to minimise the risk.
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Setting up workbenches on solid, clean surfaces not directly exposed to the elements.
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Reorganisation of work so workers can be in dry sheltered areas until the weather improves.
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Ensuring all power tools are properly maintained and electrical leads are designed for outdoor use.
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Keeping the site clean and tidy. Avoiding slips by being on the lookout for foreign substances on the floors.
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Wearing appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including the selection and use of anti-fogging eye protection and wipes.
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Wearing the right gloves for the task. Gloves should have enough insulation to keep you warm but be thin enough so you can feel what you are doing.
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Wearing several layers of clothing rather than one thick layer. Safety shoes/boots need to have anti-slip soles and sufficient tread to prevent slips or falls on wet surfaces. Gumboots may be required as a control measure for trench work and extremely muddy sites.
Where heavy rain is forecast, open trenches, excavations, scaffolding (support) and lift wells and pits may quickly become hazardous and need to be reviewed.
Advice for Solar Owners
If you’re a solar owner, it’s important to know about solar power system safety ahead of, during and after flood events.
Solar panels can continue to generate electricity even if mains power has been disconnected, meaning solar systems can pose a significant electrical safety risk for the household and utility/emergency crews during times of flooding. Battery systems impacted by flooding can also present a safety risk.
Flood Preparation
In preparing for a flood event, it’s important to follow the correct shutdown procedure for a solar system. This information should be able to be found at the inverter or mains switchboard, and in documentation provided by the solar installer.
NOTE: Don’t attempt to turn off switches that are already wet.
Generally, the shutdown procedure involves the following in a situation where you’ll be leaving the property:
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Turn of off the inverter AC mains isolator (“solar supply mains switch”), which is usually found in the meter box.
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Turn off the mains supply main switch in the meter box.
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Switch off the DC isolator (solar array or battery), which is usually located alongside the inverter.
If you’re remaining at the property and need mains power for as long as possible, then the inverter AC mains isolator should be switched off, followed by the DC isolator next to the inverter.
Where there is a risk flood levels could reach the rooftop, the rooftop DC isolator situated next to the solar panel array should also be turned off if possible. However, being up on a rooftop is dangerous at the best of times, and if it is already raining even greater potential electrical and slip hazards exist. This is a step that should be taken well before the event and preferably by an appropriately qualified professional.
If in doubt about the correct system shutdown procedure, contact your installer for information.
During A Flood Event
A system that hasn’t been shut down poses an electrocution risk, so it’s important to stay well clear if components such as the inverter are submerged. This is not the time to be attempting to switch off the system.
After The Flood
The system should not be switched back until it has been checked by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer or licensed electrician as moisture may be present in switches and other components. If an inverter has been submerged, even partially, it will likely need to be replaced.
Sources: Clean Energy Council, Energex.