Focusing on the most critical, life-saving rules for solar plant operations (both installation and O&M), here are five key rules based on industry best practices:
Mandatory Use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Never work without proper, certified, and inspected safety gear. This includes arc-rated clothing, insulated gloves rated for at least 1000V AC/DC, arc-rated face shields, and EH-rated (Electrical Hazard) safety boots to protect against arc flashes and electric shocks.
Verify Isolation and LOTO (Lockout/Tagout): Before beginning any maintenance, all energy sources (DC from panels and AC from grid/inverter) must be identified, disconnected, and isolated. LOTO procedures must be followed to prevent accidental energization.
Fall Protection at Heights: When working on rooftops or elevated structures, a full-body harness must be worn and anchored 100% of the time to approved, secure anchor points to prevent serious injuries from falls.
"Test Before You Touch" (Zero Energy Verification): Assume all cables are live, even in low light. Always use a calibrated, appropriate category-rated (e.g., CAT III 1500V) voltage meter to verify that the circuits are de-energized ("test dead") before touching.
Strict Adherence to Work Permits and Safety Procedures: Never bypass safety devices, interlocks, or standard operating procedures. All high-risk tasks must have a valid Work Permit and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) completed to identify potential hazards, such as live electrical parts or structural risks.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Additional Crucial Safety Practices:
Weather Awareness: Stop all work immediately during high winds, lightning, or rain.
Safe Handling: Use two people to lift panels, never walk under suspended loads, and use proper, inspected ladders.
Cover Panels: Use opaque sheets on uninstalled or removed panels to prevent power generation.
Solar power plants involve high-voltage DC electricity, working at heights, and exposure to environmental hazards. Adhering to strict safety protocols is essential to prevent fatalities. Based on industry standards for operation and maintenance (O&M), here are the top 5 life-saving rules:
Mandatory Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures
Never work on electrical equipment (inverters, string combiners, modules) without following a formal LOTO procedure.
Isolate all energy sources, apply your personal lock and tag, and verify that the system is completely de-energized before touching any components.
Crucial Note: Solar panels continue to produce electricity whenever light strikes them; they cannot be completely "turned off".
Strict Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance
Mandatory use of certified PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and non-slip safety footwear.
Electrical-rated, insulated gloves (rated for at least 1000V AC) must be worn when handling any electrical components to prevent shock or arc-flash injuries.
Working at Height & Fall Protection
Full-body harnesses with lanyards anchored to certified, fixed anchor points are mandatory when working on rooftops, structures, or at heights greater than 6 feet.
Use approved, secure ladders (fiberglass near electrical areas) and never carry panels while climbing.
Permit to Work (PTW) System
No maintenance or construction work should begin without obtaining an authorized Permit to Work.
This ensures that hazards have been identified, risks have been assessed (JSA/HIRA), and all safety precautions are in place before technicians enter the area.
Safe Electrical Handling & Environmental Awareness
Treat all cables and components as live.
Use insulated tools and do not disconnect DC connectors under load.
Stop work immediately during adverse weather, such as high winds, rain, or lightning, as metal structures increase strike risk.
Bonus Rule: Never work alone. Always have at least one other person present in case of an emergency
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