Carrying out work in or entering domestic roof spaces

14 January 2025

Effective 1 January 2025, workers are prohibited from working in or otherwise entering the roof space of a domestic building unless:

Relevant electrical installations are de-energised (i.e. the power is turned off); or
- The term enter applies to any part of the body entering the roof space, this has been interpreted to include lifting the manhole cover into the roof space, reaching into the roof space to retrieve a plug base socket for a down light, lifting a roof sheet or tile to run a cable, or retrieve a cable in the eave or any other part of the roof space.
Either of the exempted circumstances apply (and additional safety measures are undertaken including a risk assessment, statement for the work or entry, and compliance with record keeping requirements). Exempted circumstances are where
- It is not reasonably practicable to carry out the work or enter while the electrical installation is de-energised; or
- The thing (non-electrical equipment) needs to be energised in order to test, service or commission the thing.

This new requirement applies to all:

Types of work including plumbing, pest control, insulation activities, gas fitting, roof and ceiling repair, and electrical work (including air-conditioning installation)
Situations where any part of your body enters the roof space (including just your hand or moving through the roof space to access the roof)
Class 1, 2 and 10a buildings under the Building Code of Australia which includes houses, duplexes, apartments, town houses, sheds, garages, guest houses, small hostels and boarding houses.

Inform homeowner/other trades of isolation
Complete Service Isolation Permit (available in eDocs)
Identify circuit breakers to be de-energised
Attached circuit breaker lockout device and padlock
Check all electrical circuits are not live, i.e. turn on light switches and plug in lap to GPOs
When work is completed, cancel services isolation permit and remove circuit breaker lockout device and padlock and danger tag
Check that light and power circuits are working.

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