Safe System of Work Review – Solar PV O&M - 670MWp

A Client operating 670MWp of ground-mounted solar PV across 70 UK sites sought a full review of its Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) to ensure compliance with UK safety law, reduce operational risks, and clarify operational safety practices.

With outdated, fragmented procedures and regulatory scrutiny increasing, the Client needed a simplified, compliant, and practical SSoW that aligned with UK law and industry best practice.

To deliver a legally compliant, streamlined SSoW that reduces risks, clarifies roles, and strengthens operational safety and accountability across all sites.

F&H executed a five-step review:

(1) Desktop compliance audit of 30+ H&S procedures,

(2) Comparison with UK law and best practice (ENA, IET),

(3) Site familiarisation visits,

(4) Gap analysis and risk assessment improvements (including arc flash and live working practices),

(5) Delivery of a clear, 20-page core Safety Rules manual and improvements to wider safety operational procedures and policies.

Critical findings included excessive complexity in Safety Rules, supporting procedures and policies, including unclear role and responsibility definitions, absence of hazard specific risk assessments and incident reporting.

The revised SSoW improved compliance, clarified authorisation levels, enhanced risk assessment quality, streamlined incident reporting, and produced a portable A6 compliance guide for field staff.

The review positioned the Client as a leader in solar PV safety and compliance, delivering a simplified, practical system that protects staff and assets while aligning with UK law.