Solar Panel Cleaning SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, access, cleaning, inspection and close-out for solar panel cleaning work. It supports managing risks associated with roof access, electrical hazards, cleaning solutions and changing work conditions.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the scope, site conditions and weather
• Set up and control the work area
• Inspect equipment and personal protective equipment
• Position EWP or scaffold access
• Access the roof and manage height risks
• Isolate electrical hazards before cleaning
• Prepare the cleaning solution
• Clean photovoltaic panels
• Move safely between panel areas
• Manage heat, fatigue and sun exposure
• Inspect and report defects
• Clean up, demobilise and sign off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out solar panel cleaning.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to eliminate or minimise risks, consult workers and other duty holders, provide safe plant and systems of work, and prepare a SWMS where high risk construction work is involved.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work, as adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; use as guidance for SWMS preparation and high risk construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, as adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; use as guidance for fall prevention, safe access and rescue planning.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace, as adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; use as guidance for isolation, testing and photovoltaic electrical hazards.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, as adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; use as guidance for SDS, labelling, storage and chemical risk controls.
• Code of Practice: Work on Roofs – Commercial and Industrial Buildings, where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; use as guidance for roof-mounted solar-panel maintenance, access, fragile surfaces and fall controls.
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules); mandatory requirements may apply to electrical installation work.
• AS/NZS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
• AS/NZS 1891 series Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices.
• AS/NZS 1891.4 Personal equipment for work at height—selection, use and maintenance.
• AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—design, construction and installation.
• AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding.
• AS/NZS 1418 series and AS/NZS 2550 series for elevating work platforms, where an EWP is used.
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—construction and demolition sites, where applicable.

---

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections