Inspecting a roof before the installation of solar panels is a vital part of the process – it goes without saying that safety is the highest priority when carrying out such inspections. 

Winter weather can make this task more hazardous, with cold and potentially icy conditions affecting the approach for assessment. 

Here are some recommendations for inspecting a roof for solar panel readiness: 

Put in the preparation 

Have all the necessary information to hand before stepping onto the roof – this can include site plans and blueprints that can help you to see the layout of the roof and any electrical infrastructure placed out of sight. 

Noting shaded areas (whether they are covered by other parts of the roof or by trees) will also allow you to identify if any areas could be more slippery than others, which could be down to a colder temperature or more water coverage. 

Assess the site

Make sure necessary safety procedures and equipment are in place. Take a look at the access points and determine the safety of accessibility. This will not only make sure your initial inspection is carried out safely, it will also give good insights as to how the installation process should be carried out, as well as future maintenance. 

Wear protective clothing

Thermal gloves with a good grip, anti-slip footwear and warm clothing should all be worn for roof work in cold weather. Warm clothing should consist of layers that retain heat but should not be so thick that it restricts movement, as this is a safety hazard. 

This is to go alongside PPE that is worn in all seasons, such as a hard hat, ear plugs or muffs, eye protection and safety harnesses. 

Examine the condition of the roof

Be mindful of the structural state of the roof and consider that in especially cold or windy conditions, areas of concern could be covered by frost or leaves. Once you have surveyed the area to make sure it is safe, inspect the materials and carry out assessments for load-bearing capacity and suitability for solar panels. 

Work clean

Regularly remove any debris such as snow, ice or leaves that may cause a hazard throughout the progression of the assessments and installation. Sweep away any moveable dirt and use salt to melt ice away. Avoid spillages of liquids that may turn into ice and become more slippery as the temperature drops. 

Be wary of electricity

If bad weather has caused any cracking or leaking in the roof, there is a potential hazard of water damage and water leaking into the electrical infrastructure. Once precautions have been taken, the assessments to measure suitability of the electrical system for solar panels can be carried out. 

Continuously monitor conditions

Keep an eye on forecasts for as many days ahead as is accurate and consider rescheduling planned work when bad conditions are predicted. But also continue to monitor conditions on a regular basis while work is being carried out. 

Look out for signs of it becoming darker (whether that’s down to the time of day or dark cloud coverage) – avoid working in the dark. Plan to work in hours of good daylight. 

Pay close attention to weather forecasts and be aware that conditions and predictions can change quickly. 

First Aid

Make sure the team has regular first aid training so that in the event of an incident they will be aware of what actions to take and what treatments they can give if necessary. 

Also make sure that individuals carry a fully equipped first aid kit that is kept with them in work vehicles, and they know where they are located in case of an emergency. 

In cold weather, this should include warm clothing, blankets and a torch. 

Regular training

Make sure all staff receive regular health and safety training and make sure to include additional information on winter hazards and how to deal with emergencies should they arise. 

Educating and retraining at regular intervals will keep important safety information drilled into individuals and teams. 

To come back round to where we started, there’s nothing as important as safety while carrying out roof work and inspections, all year round. But winter and cold weather creates additional hazards and the safety of workers and clients needs to be taken seriously at all times.