Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, practical framework for managing asbestos-related risks during solar design, installation, maintenance and decommissioning works in Australia. It helps solar businesses and contractors identify potential asbestos-containing materials, control exposure risks, and meet WHS and asbestos legislation requirements while working on residential, commercial and industrial roofs.

Asbestos remains a significant legacy hazard across the Australian built environment, particularly in older residential, commercial and industrial roofs where solar systems are commonly installed. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials (ACM) during solar installation, cable routing, mounting system fixing or maintenance can release dangerous fibres, exposing workers, occupants and the public to serious long-term health risks. This SOP has been developed specifically for the solar industry to bridge the gap between general asbestos guidance and the practical realities of rooftop solar work.

The procedure sets out a structured, step-by-step approach to asbestos awareness in solar projects, from desktop assessment and pre-site checks, through on-site identification of suspect materials, to decision-making on when to stop work and engage a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist. It clarifies roles and responsibilities between solar businesses, principal contractors, PCBUs and property owners, and embeds asbestos considerations into design, quoting, planning, installation, maintenance and decommissioning activities. By implementing this SOP, solar businesses can reduce the risk of uncontrolled asbestos disturbance, demonstrate due diligence to regulators and clients, and protect their workforce from preventable occupational disease.

This document is written for the Australian regulatory context and is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing WHS management systems, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and project risk assessments. It provides practical guidance, decision trees and example controls tailored to typical solar work scenarios, including working on suspected asbestos cement roofs, penetrations for cable entry, mounting rail fixings, inverter changeovers and system upgrades.

Key Benefits

• Ensure solar projects are planned and delivered in line with Australian asbestos legislation and WHS duties.
• Reduce the risk of disturbing asbestos-containing materials during solar installation, maintenance and decommissioning works.
• Standardise asbestos awareness, decision-making and escalation processes across all solar project teams and subcontractors.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, regulators and insurers through a documented, defensible asbestos awareness procedure.
• Support safer work practices on older roofs, reducing the likelihood of project delays, rework and costly compliance breaches.

Who is this for?

• Solar Installers
• Solar Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• HSEQ Coordinators
• Electrical Contractors
• Roofing Contractors involved in solar projects
• Principal Contractors
• Small Solar Business Owners
• Facilities Managers overseeing solar installations

Hazards Addressed

• Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres from disturbed roofing and building materials
• Uncontrolled drilling, cutting or fixing into asbestos cement sheeting and other ACM
• Secondary exposure to asbestos fibres for other workers, building occupants and the public
• Contamination of tools, vehicles and work areas with asbestos-containing dust and debris
• Inadequate identification of asbestos-containing materials prior to commencing solar works
• Improper handling, packaging or temporary storage of asbestos-contaminated waste by untrained workers
• Working at height on fragile asbestos cement roofing materials

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope – Application to solar design, installation, maintenance and decommissioning
• 2.0 Definitions – Asbestos, ACM, friable vs non-friable, asbestos register, PCBU, competent person
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities – PCBUs, solar installers, supervisors, WHS managers and subcontractors
• 4.0 Regulatory Context – Overview of Australian WHS and asbestos legislation relevant to solar projects
• 5.0 Planning and Pre-Start Requirements – Desktop review, asbestos registers and client information
• 6.0 Site Assessment for Asbestos – Identifying suspect materials in typical solar work locations
• 7.0 Decision-Making and Escalation – When to stop work and engage licensed asbestos professionals
• 8.0 Controls for Working Near Suspected Asbestos – Safe work practices, PPE and isolation measures
• 9.0 Prohibited Activities – Tasks solar workers must not perform on ACM (e.g. drilling, cutting, removal)
• 10.0 Integration with SWMS and Risk Assessments – Embedding asbestos awareness into project documentation
• 11.0 Emergency and Incident Response – Procedures for accidental disturbance or suspected exposure
• 12.0 Decontamination and Waste Handling – Managing potentially contaminated tools, clothing and materials
• 13.0 Training and Competency Requirements – Asbestos awareness for solar workers and supervisors
• 14.0 Communication with Clients and Other PCBUs – Clarifying responsibilities and documenting decisions
• 15.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement – Audits, incident reviews and SOP updates
• 16.0 Document Control and Record Keeping – Evidence of compliance, training and asbestos-related decisions

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly asbestos-related provisions)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use