Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical steps for managing electrical risks during roofing work, where contact with powerlines, temporary power and metal roofing materials can quickly become fatal. It helps Australian roofing and construction businesses meet their WHS obligations while protecting workers from electric shock, arc flash, and fire during installation, maintenance and repair activities at height.

Roofing work routinely brings workers into close proximity with overhead powerlines, electrical services, solar PV systems, and conductive roofing materials. A momentary lapse in planning or an untested circuit can result in serious electric shock, arc flash, falls from height or fire. This Electrical Safety during Roofing Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to identifying, isolating and controlling electrical risks before anyone sets foot on the roof, and throughout the duration of the job.

Developed for Australian conditions and WHS expectations, the SOP covers pre‑start electrical risk assessments, coordination with electricity supply authorities, isolation and lock‑out of circuits, safe work distances from overhead powerlines, managing live solar PV arrays, and the use of non‑conductive tools, ladders and edge protection. It clarifies who is responsible for what on site, how roofers should interface with licensed electricians, and what to do if unexpected live services or damaged wiring are discovered mid‑job. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, and give supervisors a consistent framework for training, supervision and incident response across all roofing projects.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash and electrically induced falls from height during roofing activities.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, electrical safety requirements and energy network clearances.
• Standardise coordination between roofers, electricians and energy providers for isolations and reconnections.
• Improve pre‑start planning by embedding electrical risk assessment into every roofing job, not just complex projects.
• Strengthen incident preparedness with clear procedures for powerline strikes, damaged cables and unplanned energisation.

Who is this for?

• Roofing Contractors
• Roof Plumbers
• Electricians
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Principal Contractors
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Small Business Roofing Company Owners

Hazards Addressed

• Contact with overhead powerlines by workers, tools, ladders, scaffolds or roofing materials
• Contact with or damage to underground or concealed electrical services near roof edges and penetrations
• Electric shock from live circuits, exposed wiring or faulty equipment on or near the roof
• Arc flash and burns from working near energised switchboards, inverters or junction boxes
• Electrical risks from live or back‑feeding solar PV systems during installation, maintenance or storm repair
• Fire ignition due to electrical faults, damaged cabling or improper use of temporary power leads
• Falls from height triggered by electric shock or startle response
• Use of conductive tools, ladders and edge protection in close proximity to live electrical installations
• Trip and tangle hazards from poorly managed extension leads and temporary power on roofs and scaffolds

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (including ‘no‑go zones’ and ‘authorised person’)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Roofers, Electricians, Supervisors, Principal Contractor)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre‑Start Electrical Risk Assessment for Roofing Work
• 6.0 Identification of Overhead and Concealed Electrical Services
• 7.0 Planning Work Near Overhead Powerlines (exclusion zones and consultation with supply authorities)
• 8.0 Isolation, Lock‑Out and Tag‑Out of Electrical Circuits Affecting Roofing Work
• 9.0 Managing Electrical Risks from Solar PV Systems and Inverters
• 10.0 Selection and Use of Non‑Conductive Tools, Ladders and Edge Protection
• 11.0 Temporary Power and Extension Lead Management on Roofs and Scaffolds
• 12.0 Safe Work Method – Step‑by‑Step Roofing Activities with Electrical Controls
• 13.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements for Electrical and Roofing Tasks
• 14.0 Communication, Induction and Toolbox Talks on Electrical Hazards
• 15.0 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment Used for Roofing
• 16.0 Emergency Response Procedures (electric shock, powerline contact, fire and rescue from height)
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Competency and Licence Requirements
• 19.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 4501: Occupational protective clothing and AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves (for arc and shock protection, where applicable)