Solar PV installation RAMS

HSE 5-STEP · CDM 2015

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Install a roof-mounted solar PV array, DC string cabling and a string inverter on a domestic pitched-tile roof, connecting to the existing consumer unit, working from an independent scaffold with edge protection.

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Supply and installation of a roof-mounted solar PV array, DC string cabling, DC isolator and a string inverter at 7 Beechwood Close, Bristol BS9 4L**, for Ms H. Bramley, with final AC connection into the existing consumer unit. Roof anchors and mounting rails are fixed to a domestic pitched-tile roof, modules are mounted and connected in strings, and the system is commissioned in accordance with BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice for Grid-connected Solar PV Systems. Work is carried out from an independent scaffold with double guardrails and toe boards at eaves level and a roof ladder onto the pitch, on an occupied domestic property with a public footpath nearby.

Generated for an example job to show the format. Make your own site-specific version and have a competent person review it.

Document details
Contractor	Solstice Renewables Ltd
Author	K. Ndlovu, Lead Installer (MCS accredited, 18th Edition, CSCS carded)
Client / Principal Contractor	Ms H. Bramley
Site	7 Beechwood Close, 7 Beechwood Close, Bristol BS9 4L**
Project reference	SOL-4472
Start / duration	Mon 29 Jun 2026 / 2 days

1. Scope of works

2. Sequence of works

Method statement, safe system of work

Operatives arrive on site, review this RAMS, and confirm the scaffold handover certificate is in place and the working platform, guardrails, toe boards and ladder access bay are complete and inspected before access.
Introduce ourselves to the occupant, explain the works, the duration, and that the roof and part of the electrical supply will be worked on; confirm welfare and WC arrangements and agree an isolation time for the final AC connection.
Barrier off and sign an exclusion zone at ground level beneath the work area and along the adjacent public footpath to protect the public, children and occupant from falling materials and tools.
Carry out a pre-start check of the roof structure and confirm the structural/loading assessment supports the additional array weight and wind uplift before loading the roof.
Fit and secure a roof ladder/cat ladder onto the pitch, hooked over the ridge, providing a safe route and working position on the sloped roof surface.
Set out materials on the scaffold platform within its safe working load, keeping modules and rails secured and clear of the platform edge, and raise loads by hoist rather than carrying up the ladder.
Locate rafters, lift tiles as required and fix the roof anchors/hooks into the rafters, then mount and align the rail system, weathering the penetrations as work proceeds.
Install the earthing and equipotential bonding to the mounting structure in accordance with BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice before energised DC work.
Position and clamp the PV modules to the rails, working up the roof so operatives are not reaching over installed modules, and keeping module faces covered or shaded where practicable to limit DC voltage during handling.
Route and secure the double-insulated DC string cabling in containment or with UV-stable clips, keeping positive and negative separated and avoiding sharp edges, so that live DC conductors are protected from damage.
Make the MC4 connections between modules, treating every connected string as live: a PV array under daylight cannot be switched off and generates DC voltage whenever illuminated.
Terminate the DC strings at the DC isolator, confirming the isolator is in the OFF position, and verify string polarity and open-circuit voltage with a DC-rated meter before proceeding.
Install the inverter in the agreed location, run and terminate the DC side into the inverter with the DC isolator off, and complete the AC-side cabling ready for connection.
For the final AC connection into the consumer unit, follow safe isolation of the AC supply: prove the tester, isolate, lock off, apply a warning notice, prove dead, and re-test the tester, under an electrical isolation permit.
Carry out the commissioning tests required by BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice, including polarity, insulation resistance, earth continuity and functional testing of the DC isolator and inverter, and record the results.
Energise the system in the correct sequence (AC first, then DC isolator), confirm the inverter starts and exports correctly, and apply all required labels, warning notices and dual-supply signage at the consumer unit and isolators.
Carry out a final visual inspection of roof fixings, weathering, cable containment and array security, and confirm no tiles are left loose or displaced.
Remove all off-cuts, packaging and waste from site, leave the roof, scaffold interface and grounds clean, and confirm the property is secure.
Hand over to the occupant with the commissioning certificate, MCS documentation, user guidance and the location and operation of the DC and AC isolators.
Confirm the scaffold is clear so it can be dismantled by others, and sign out.

3. Risk assessment

HSE 5-STEP · MHSWR 1999 REG 3 · HIERARCHY OF CONTROL

Risk assessment: hazards, who may be harmed, controls and residual risk
Hazard	Who / how	Existing controls	L×S	Additional controls	Residual
Fall from height from a pitched-tile roof, from the roof edge, from the scaffold, or through a fragile rooflight or weakened tiles.	Operatives. Falls from a pitched roof and roof edge are a leading cause of serious injury and fatality.	Independent scaffold with double guardrails and toe boards at eaves. Roof/cat ladder onto the pitch. Scaffold handover certificate. Working at height trained operatives.	3×5=15	Provide collective protection first: confirm the scaffold guardrails and toe boards are complete and inspected to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 before roof access, and do not access the roof until the handover certificate is in place. Use a properly hooked roof ladder/cat ladder to spread load and provide a safe working position on the pitch; never work directly on tiles. Where a residual fall risk remains near the ridge or verge, use a fall-arrest harness with a lanyard clipped to a suitable anchor as a last resort, with a rescue plan in place. Identify and cover/cordon any rooflight or fragile area. Prohibit roof work in high winds, rain or ice.	Medium
Electric shock, arc flash and burns from DC PV conductors that cannot be switched off in daylight.	Operatives, and the occupant. A PV array generates DC voltage whenever illuminated; DC shock, arc flash and burns can cause serious injury or fatality.	MCS accredited, 18th Edition (BS 7671) competent operatives working to the IET Code of Practice. Double-insulated DC cabling and MC4 connectors. DC-rated test equipment.	3×5=15	Eliminate live-working exposure so far as possible by covering or shading modules to reduce output while making DC connections, and by leaving the DC isolator in the OFF position until strings are terminated and verified. Treat every connected string as live at all times; never break a loaded DC connector under load. Use DC-rated tools, gloves and a DC-rated meter, and verify polarity and open-circuit voltage before energising. Route and protect double-insulated DC cables to prevent damage, earth faults and arcing. Only competent operatives carry out DC work. Apply dual-supply and DC warning labels at the isolators and consumer unit.	Medium
Electric shock during the final AC connection into the existing (live) consumer unit.	Operatives, occupant. Electric shock or burns from the live AC supply causing serious injury or fatality.	18th Edition competent operatives. Calibrated test instruments. Awareness of safe isolation.	2×5=10	Follow the full safe isolation procedure for the AC connection under an electrical isolation permit: prove the tester on a known source, isolate the supply, lock off with a warning notice, prove dead at the point of work, and re-test the tester. Apply the Test Before Touch principle. Use insulated tools and appropriate PPE. Only re-energise, in the correct sequence, once the work is complete and all personnel are clear. Commission and test to BS 7671 before leaving the system in service.	Low
Roof structure overloading and wind uplift from the added weight and area of the PV array.	Operatives and occupants below. Structural failure or displaced tiles/panels causing collapse, injury or water ingress.	Pre-start structural/loading assessment. Fixings into rafters. Manufacturer's mounting system.	2×4=8	Confirm a structural/loading assessment supports the additional dead load and wind uplift before loading the roof, and do not proceed if the structure is inadequate. Fix roof anchors into sound rafters at the spacing specified by the mounting-system and wind-load calculation, not into battens or tiles alone. Weather all penetrations to prevent water ingress. Distribute stored materials on the roof to avoid point loading, and secure modules and rails against wind at all times. Re-inspect fixings and array security on completion.	Low
Manual handling of PV modules, rails, inverter and cable reels up to and on the roof.	Operatives. Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders and hands; injury from dropped or wind-caught modules.	Manual handling trained operatives. Loads assessed before lifting. Team lifting for modules.	3×3=9	Reduce carrying at height by raising modules, rails and the inverter to the platform with a hoist or telehandler by others rather than up the ladder. Team-lift modules, which are awkward and wind-catching, and keep loads within individual limits under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Never handle large modules on the roof in gusty conditions. Adopt good lifting technique, avoid twisting, and store materials at working height. Wear gloves against pinch points and sharp module frames.	Low
Falling materials, tools or modules striking people below, including the public on the adjacent footpath.	Occupant, public, children and other operatives at ground level. Head injuries, serious injury or fatality.	Toe boards to the scaffold platform. Awareness of people below.	3×4=12	Establish and barrier a signed exclusion zone at ground level beneath the work area and along the public footpath, and keep it clear during roof works. Raise and lower tools, tiles and materials by hoist or hand line; never throw anything from the roof. Fit toe boards and, where required, brick guards or netting to the platform. Secure modules and loose materials against wind and away from the platform edge. Suspend overhead work if the public cannot be excluded. Wear head protection at ground level beneath the works.	Low
Adverse weather: wind affecting handling of large modules at height, plus rain, heat and sun exposure.	Operatives, and anyone below from wind-caught modules or materials. Falls, struck-by, heat stress, slips on a wet roof.	Daily assessment of conditions before work. Weather forecast checked.	3×3=9	Check the forecast and stop roof work and module handling when wind speeds make handling the large, sail-like modules unsafe, or when the roof is wet, icy or the surface unsafe. Do not carry modules on the roof in gusts. Secure all materials and modules before leaving the roof or at the end of a shift. Provide sun protection, drinking water and shaded breaks in hot weather, and be aware that bright sun increases DC output. Re-inspect fixings and the scaffold after any high-wind event before resuming.	Low

4. Plant & equipment

Hand tools and torque tools for module and rail clamping
Cordless drill/driver for roof anchors
DC-rated multimeter / clamp meter (calibrated)
MC4 crimp and disconnect tools
Lock-off kit and 'Do Not Operate' warning tags (AC isolation)
Calibrated voltage indicator / proving unit (AC)
Roof ladder / cat ladder (hooked over the ridge)
Independent scaffold with double guardrails, toe boards and ladder access bay (supplied and inspected by others)
Fall-arrest harness and lanyard (last resort, with anchor)
Hoist / gin wheel for raising modules and materials
Ground-level barriers and signage for the exclusion zone
Opaque covers/sheeting to shade modules during connection

5. Materials / COSHH

No significant COSHH hazards arise from the PV modules, rails or cabling in normal installation. Where sealants, weathering compounds or cleaning solvents are used at roof penetrations, consult the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet under COSHH 2002, avoid skin and eye contact and use in ventilation. The principal hazards on this job are electrical (DC and AC) and working at height rather than substances. Off-cuts, cable and packaging are segregated and removed from site; damaged modules containing electronic components are disposed of as WEEE.

6. PPE

Safety helmet (EN 397), worn at ground level beneath the works and where head hazards exist
Safety footwear with midsole (steel toe and penetration protection)
Gloves rated for the task, including electrically insulating gloves for DC/AC work and cut-resistant gloves for module frames
Eye protection against debris and arc hazard
High-visibility clothing near the public footpath
Full-body fall-arrest harness and lanyard where a residual fall risk requires it
Sun protection in hot, exposed conditions

7. Competence & training

Installation is carried out by an MCS accredited company. Operatives are qualified to the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), work to the IET Code of Practice for Grid-connected Solar PV Systems, and are competent in DC PV and AC connection work. All operatives are trained in working at height and manual handling and carry valid CSCS cards, and at least one holds a current First Aid at Work certificate. K. Ndlovu (Author) is the Lead Installer, is MCS accredited and 18th Edition qualified, and is responsible for the electrical isolation permit, confirming the scaffold handover, and commissioning.

8. Permits

Electrical isolation permit for the AC connection into the existing consumer unit, issued and signed before isolation begins.
Scaffold handover/inspection certificate, in place before any roof access and retained on site.
Highways/footway licence from the local authority where the scaffold or exclusion zone affects the public footpath.

9. Access & egress

Access to the roof is via the tied ladder access bay of the independent scaffold, which provides double guardrails and toe boards at eaves level, and then via a roof ladder/cat ladder hooked over the ridge to give a safe working position on the pitch. The scaffold handover certificate must be in place before first access. Ground-level access to the property entrance and emergency egress for the occupant are maintained throughout. Modules and materials are raised by hoist rather than carried up the ladder, and the access ladder is removed or boarded at the end of each shift to deter unauthorised climbing.

10. Welfare

Toilet and hand-washing facilities are used by arrangement with the occupant where offered and suitable; otherwise the nearest agreed welfare facility is used. Operatives carry drinking water. Rest breaks are taken at ground level away from the work area and the public footpath, with shade provided in hot weather.

11. First aid

A stocked first aid kit is carried in the company vehicle and its location is known to all operatives. At least one operative holds a current First Aid at Work certificate. For electric shock, do not touch the casualty until the source is isolated or the casualty is clear of it, then call 999 and begin resuscitation if trained. For any serious injury or suspected fall, call 999 immediately and do not move the casualty unless in further danger. The site address is displayed for the emergency services.

12. Emergency procedures

In the event of an electric shock, isolate the supply if safe (bear in mind the DC array cannot be switched off in daylight and the module face must be covered to reduce output), do not touch the casualty until they are clear of the source, call 999 and administer first aid. In the event of a fall or injury at height, a rescue plan is in place: where fall arrest is used, a prompt recovery method is available to avoid suspension trauma. Stop work, make the area safe, and call 999. In the event of scaffold damage or suspected instability, evacuate the area, prohibit use and re-inspect before further use. All incidents are reported to the client and, where reportable, under RIDDOR.

13. Environmental

Work is planned to minimise disruption on the occupied domestic site. Roof penetrations are weathered to prevent water ingress. All off-cuts, cable, packaging and pallets are segregated and removed from site for recycling; nothing is left on the footway or in gardens. Damaged modules and electronic waste are disposed of as WEEE. Vehicle movements and deliveries are minimised, and noise is kept down on the occupied property.

This document was AI-generated as a drafting aid. It is not a substitute for professional health & safety advice. It must be reviewed, verified and made site-specific by a competent person before use, briefed to all operatives, and updated when site conditions or the method change. The provider accepts no liability for use of this document on site.

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