The WA work health and safety regulator has issued a safety alert arising from an incident earlier this year, where an air-conditioning installer suffered a fatal electric shock while working in a roof space.
In Western Australia, any workers must de-energise and isolate all power before entering a domestic roof space. The person responsible for this is the employer, main contractor, self-employed person or person with control of the workplace.
This type of hazard must be managed by ensuring power has been de-energised and isolated (turned off at the main switch) before anyone enters or works in a domestic roof space, whether or not they will be doing electrical work. Always use a licensed electrician to do electrical work and check for any other hazards associated with working in roof spaces such as heat, pests, asbestos or falls. Implement suitable controls based on risk.