Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a structured, safety-first process for selecting, designing and installing ground mount versus roof mount systems, with a strong focus on WHS compliance in the Australian context. It guides organisations through risk assessment, design considerations, installation methods and maintenance requirements to ensure systems are safe, structurally sound and suitable for local site conditions.

Ground-mounted and roof-mounted systems, particularly in the solar and renewable energy sector, present very different risk profiles, engineering requirements and WHS obligations. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, defensible method for comparing, selecting and safely implementing the most appropriate mounting option for each site. It addresses key issues such as structural integrity, working at heights, access and egress, electrical safety, environmental exposure, and long-term maintenance, all within the framework of Australian legislation and standards.

The document helps businesses move beyond ad‑hoc decision-making by embedding a consistent, risk-based approach to system selection and installation. It clarifies when a ground mount solution is preferable due to roof condition or access constraints, and when a roof mount system can be safely and efficiently deployed. By following the SOP, organisations can reduce installation incidents, avoid structural failures, streamline approvals, and demonstrate due diligence to clients, regulators and insurers. It is particularly valuable for companies scaling up solar or equipment deployment across multiple sites, where standardisation and WHS governance are critical.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, risk-based decisions between ground mount and roof mount systems across all projects.
• Reduce WHS incidents by systematically addressing working at heights, structural, and electrical hazards.
• Streamline design and approval workflows with a clear, documented decision and installation process.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS laws, building codes and relevant Australian Standards.
• Improve lifecycle performance by aligning system type with maintenance access, environmental exposure and asset management needs.

Who is this for?

• Solar PV Installers
• Electrical Contractors
• Project Managers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Design Engineers
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Roofing Contractors
• Renewable Energy Business Owners

Hazards Addressed

• Working at heights during roof mount installation, inspection and maintenance
• Falls from ladders, scaffolds and elevated work platforms
• Roof structural failure or collapse due to inadequate load assessment
• Slips, trips and falls on roofs, access paths and ground-level work areas
• Electrical shock, arc flash and inadvertent energisation during installation and maintenance
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and positioning panels, frames and mounting hardware
• Struck-by or crush injuries from unstable ground mount frames or poorly secured components
• Environmental exposure risks such as heat stress, UV exposure and adverse weather conditions
• Excavation and underground service strikes when installing ground mount foundations
• Falling objects from roofs or elevated structures impacting persons below

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and System Types (Ground Mount vs Roof Mount)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Installation Planning and WHS Consultation
• 5.0 Site Assessment and Risk Identification
• 6.0 Structural and Engineering Considerations for Roof Mount Systems
• 7.0 Structural and Civil Considerations for Ground Mount Systems
• 8.0 Decision-Making Framework: Selecting Ground vs Roof Mount
• 9.0 Safe Work Methodology – Roof Mount Installations
• 10.0 Safe Work Methodology – Ground Mount Installations
• 11.0 Working at Heights Controls and Fall Protection Measures
• 12.0 Electrical Safety, Isolation and Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• 13.0 Manual Handling, Lifting and Use of Plant and Equipment
• 14.0 Environmental Conditions, Weather and Heat Stress Management
• 15.0 Access, Egress and Traffic Management for Installations
• 16.0 Inspection, Testing, Commissioning and Handover
• 17.0 Maintenance, Inspection Schedules and Safe Access Requirements
• 18.0 Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and WHS Compliance Evidence
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 5033:2021 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
• AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions
• AS 1657:2018 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Building Code of Australia (BCA) relevant structural and roof provisions