Hazards can include:
- exposed live electrical conductors or wiring;
- unenclosed joints in conductors;
- deteriorated electrical cabling (often associated with older buildings);
- substandard and unsafe past electrical work performed by an incompetent person;
- damaged cables (e.g. chewed by rodents); and
- metallised foil insulation which may have become energised due to poor installation practices.
If you plan on working in the roof space, your first step is to switch off the electricity at the main switchboard/meter box by turning the main switch to the "OFF" position.
It is important to note that turning off electricity at the main switchboard/meter box does not turn off the electricity supply from the street to the switchboard. This means the incoming overhead or underground service lines and the cables supplying the switchboard will still be live. Extreme care must be taken to avoid touching any of these live overhead or underground electrical lines or supply cables. If you have solar panels on your property, cabling from solar array panels to the inverter will still be 'live'.
Please follow these steps before entering the roof space:
- switch off the electricity at the main switchboard/meter box by turning the main switch to the 'OFF' position.
- After turning off the mains power, use a lock-out kit so it is not turned back on while you are in the roof space.
- Let someone know where you are.
- Use a torch and cordless power tools.
- Do not disturb or alter any electrical wiring or junction boxes.
- Keep thermal insulation away from light fittings.
- If you see any damaged or bare wires, call your licensed electrical contractor immediately. Do not DIY electrical work.
Under WA’s Work Health and Safety Regulations, it is mandatory for the mains power to be off before any worker enters the roof space of a Class 1, 2 or 10a building (generally being residential dwellings, apartment buildings or related buildings such as a shed, carport or private garage). This applies to all workers in your home, not just electrical workers, who intend to enter the roof space.
For more information, please refer to WorkSafe's Guidance note:
Building and Energy has developed stickers to be affixed to the roof space manhole and at the main switchboard/meter box to serve as a reminder to switch the power off before anyone enters the roof space.
To order stickers for your home, please email your name, address and number of stickers required to EGPGeneralAdmin@demirs.wa.gov.au
WorkSafe Queensland has produced a video highlighting the danger of working in the roof space.
Unenclosed joints in insulated cables
During the 1970s and early 80s, joints in electrical cables in ceiling spaces of dwellings and buildings were often wrapped only in insulating tape. The insulating tape has dried out over time and may have fallen away, leaving the exposed ends of the cables. This is a serious risk to persons entering the ceiling space.
Where a dwelling/building is identified as containing accessible unenclosed joints, the owner must have them remedied, using a licensed electrical contractor. The remedial action requires fitting approved plastic enclosures where joints are exposed. If one or more such joints is inaccessible, it is recommended that owners ask the contractor to install RCDs as additional protection.
