Solar installer fined over safety breaches

A SOLAR panel installation company has been fined $26,000 for failing to adhere to safety protocols while working at a Drumcondra property.

AI Solar & Electrical Service Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe work method statement (SWMS) and height offences at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that a concerned member of the public made a report to WorkSafe when they saw two workers on a two-storey roof without fall protection in February 2019.

An inspector then attended the Drumcondra property and observed two employees on the second-storey roof of the dwelling without fall protection in place.

The inspector estimated the potential fall height to be about 6m and the employees were ordered off the roof.

Court documents show further inquiries found that the company had failed to prepare a SWMS before undertaking the high-risk task.

The employees later prepared an adequate SWMS for the task in the presence of the inspector, while another employee went to a hardware store and acquired a reusable v-bar anchor for a roof positioning system with harnesses to be used by the employees when on the roof.

The court accepted the offender indicated an intention to plead guilty at an early stage, had no prior criminal history and the incident occurred more than 2½ years ago and was delayed due to Covid.

The offender pleaded guilty and was, without conviction, ordered to pay a fine of $26,000, with costs of $2742.