Green Collar Worker Health & Safety Issues

By Isaac Smiley

Health and safety are two high-priority aspects of my line of work. I install solar powered electric panels during the week, and on weekends I often do spray foam insulation work. It is of the utmost importance to be familiar with the health and safety techniques that come along with these jobs.

Before climbing up to the roof, I secure the ladder. Most ladders will have screw holes. These are commonly misused. The actual reason for these holes is to attach the ladder directly to a deck. If the roof is not accessible by way of a deck, once the ladder is in place, you can screw on a wooden board via the screw holes on the bottom feet of the ladder, and then place bricks on the board. Next, climb the ladder to the top and attach the ladder to the roof securely. You are now ready to strap in and go to work.

When installing solar panels on a roof, it is vitally important to be strapped in with proper and approved harness equipment. Check this equipment before every use to verify the weight capacity rating. Clips that are strong enough to hold a person when falling will have the capacity rating directly on the side, usually in kilograms.

Lifelines, safety belts, and lanyards are used for employee safeguarding. Examine rope before each use. If there’s a problem with the rope, throw it away immediately to avoid any confusion. Be sure your harness equipment is on your body properly before getting on the roof. If you can see the red tag on your harness it means you put it on improperly. This can result in a dangerous situation. When working on the roof, constantly be aware of each possible situation, be alert and know your surroundings. And, for obvious reasons, it is never a good idea to walk backwards on a roof.

It is important to wear your hard hat, especially when working with a boom-lift truck or crane. There was a day when the boom broke and hit my coworker, Tony, right in the head. It was a very painful sight to witness. He was the guy directing the crane that day. Tony is a lucky man to live through that experience, and from that moment on he never forgot his hard-hat!

Safety glasses, goggles or clear sunglasses can save your eyesight. Installing solar involves working with live wires. When live wires arch they put out what can be a blinding spark. I always keep back-up pairs of sunglasses with me. It is also extremely important to have goggles protecting your eyes when working with spray foam, as direct contact with it could cause severe eye damage, even blindness.

Another essential piece of equipment are roof gloves, which are extremely important when working with electricity. Rubberized gloves should be rated to 600v dc. In the summer, the solar panels and the roof will get so hot that they can burn you. In the winter the solar panels get really cold, also making it uncomfortable to work with if you’re not wearing gloves. Yet another reason for gloves, when roof tar gets on your hands it can be very hard to get it off.

Staying hydrated is crucial. When working on a roof in the dead of summer, have a water bottle accessible on a roof clip.

I have witnessed several dangerous situations over the seven years since I started. A good friend of mine, while working on a roof, slid down the array and fell 23 feet more to the ground, crushing a cast iron barbecue grill on the way. He was taken away from the job in a helicopter. His heel was shattered in 21 places on his right foot, his left leg was broken and his nose was broken. It took almost six months before he could get out of the wheel chair and onto crutches.  I’m truly not kidding around when I say, take safety seriously.

When the proper health and safety measures are followed with attention to detail prior to the start of work, and on the job, the probability for injury greatly decreases. I saw many things go wrong before I learned to do it right. (Check www.Osha.gov for more safety procedures. )

Green Collar Education

Demand For Solar Education Grows

Throughout an 18-year history of providing educational programs to consumers and industry experts, Solar Energy International (SEI), the non-profit pioneer in renewable energy and sustainable building programs, reports a record number of registrants this year. Enrollments have increased  by 14 percent.

Demand is high for renewable energy experts: employers are seeking a workforce skilled in the field, people are eager to be trained to enter the industry and consumers are enthusiastic to learn how to make their homes more green. In efforts to accommodate the demand, SEI increased this year’s course offerings by adding five additional in-person PV (photovoltaic/solar electric) workshops and an additional online PV course. SEI’s waiting-lists have hit record highs for the 2008 PV workshops. This year alone, 1,700 people have already signed up for SEI’s workshops and online courses.

“The increase in demand is reflective of the changing state of the world’s energy resources,” said Johnny Weiss, executive director of SEI. “The world is so eager for trained renewable energy professionals that students often get hired while still completing our programs.”

SEI provides courses and hands-on workshops throughout the world. Courses specialize in the practical use of solar, wind, water power, and natural building technologies. SEI also offers comprehensive trainings at its state-of-the-art renewable energy and sustainable living Eco-Campus nestled in the mountains of western Colorado. Trainings at the 7-acre site take hands-on workshops and sustainable living practices to their full potential. This September, SEI will offer solar hot water and photovoltaics in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

Solar Energy International was founded in 1991 to help others use renewable energy and natural building technology.  For more information call (970) 963-8855  or visit www.solarenergy.org.

HERS and Building Analyst Offered Online

The Home Energy Rater System and Building Analyst combined course is for those who plan to take the exams for RESNET/HERS and BPI/Building Analyst Professional. The online course is based upon a broad building science curriculum. It presents a solid scientific foundation upon which inspectors and auditors can build an accurate understanding of modern buildings. Each topic includes an overview of the technology, examples of typical installations and their defects, procedures for performing audits, and guidelines for analyzing potential retrofits. A balanced approach to building performance is presented here that addresses energy efficiency, building durability, and human health.

The newest course is Weatherization Energy Auditor, tailored specifically for the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program and utility conservation programs. For more information visit Saturn Online at srmi.biz or contact our registrar.

Homeowner’s Handbook to Energy Efficiency A Guide to Big and Small Improvements is an indispensable guide to help you cut costs, and increase your home’s comfort, safety and value. www.homeownershandbook.biz