Solar farm safety ramps up in Queensland

The Queensland Government is providing subsidised training for electrical workers to assist in improving solar farm safety for workers and improve compliance as a new code of practice is rolled out in Queensland.

The new code, Construction and operation of solar farms Code of Practice 2019 will come into effect on 13 May 2019 aiming to improve solar farm safety across the state.

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Worksafe Queensland, the state’s safety regulator, has advised that Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) will provide funding for training of eligible electrical workers in the building construction industry.

A range of solar farm safety courses are now available to assist approved workers to manage safety around solar PV and electrical equipment on solar farms includes:

• Apply currency of safe working practices and compliance verification of electrical installations (UEENEEG197A).
• Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies (UEENEEP026A).
• Conduct compliance inspection of single phase LV electrical installations (UEENEEG122A).
• Conduct compliance inspection of LV electrical installations with demand exceeding 100 A per phase (UEENEEG123A).
• Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems (UEENEEK125A).
• Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems (UEENEEK135A).
• Perform rescue from a live LV panel (UETTDRRF06B).
• Certificate IV in Electrical – Renewable Energy (UEE41911).
• Certificate IV in Hazardous areas – Electrical (UEE42611).

In addition to the above electrical training, other courses available relevant to the construction, operation and maintenance of solar farms include:

• Apply occupational health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace (UEENEEE101A).
• Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (BSB41415).
• Diploma of Work Health and Safety (BSB51315).
• Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B).
• Work safely on scaffolding higher than two metres (CPCCCM2010).
• Operate a boom-type elevating work platform (TLID3035).
• Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices (BSBSUS201).
• Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business (BSBSMB401).
• Manage small business finances (BSBSMB406).
• Plan small business finances (BSBSMB402).

Solar farm safety program defines obligations for principal contractors

Principal contractors and electrical contractors at solar farms must ensure all electrical risks associated with constructing, operating and maintaining DC solar systems are properly managed. With the new code of practice and regulation for the commercial solar farm industry commencing in May, now is a great time for your workers to access subsidised training. Visit the CSQ website for more information and check out their course selector tool to see all electrical and related courses.

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