WA releases guidance on working safely in roof spaces
The dangers of working in roof spaces have been highlighted by the deaths of two WA electrical workers from 2013–2016.
New legislation will be coming into effect on 14 May which will require all workers performing work for reward at ‘domestic-type’ premises to turn off all sources of electricity by opening the main electricity switch(es) at the main switchboard before entering the premise roof space.
The Commission for Occupational Safety and Health has released a guidance note to assist workers in complying with these safety regulations.
The hazards of working in roof spaces have also been highlighted in the Report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (HIP).
Three of the four fatalities of workers involved in the installation of insulation under the HIP were caused by electrocution, which would have been prevented if the main switch
had been turned off prior to entry to the roof space. None of these workers were conducting ‘electrical work’.
Workers in roof spaces can be inadvertently exposed to energised electrical installations whether they are carrying out electrical work or not, according to WorkSafe WA.
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