Washington Fines Rooftop Solar Installer Over Repeated Fall-Safety Violations Again

• Washington State cites a residential solar installer for repeat fall-protection failures, levying more than $250,000 in penalties after multiple inspections.

Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries has levied more than $250,000 in penalties against a residential solar installer after inspectors documented repeated fall-protection failures on rooftops. The case, which follows earlier citations, underscores a persistent risk in one of clean energy’s fastest-growing segments: crews working at height without proper safeguards.

Inspectors reported instances of technicians operating without harnesses, lifelines, or guardrails, and flagged shortcomings in training and site supervision. Regulators said the repeat nature of the violations left them little choice but to escalate fines, emphasizing that falls remain a leading cause of serious injury in construction.

The company has contested aspects of the findings, asserting it has expanded training and tightened oversight. It will have an opportunity to appeal, but the penalties have already stirred broader industry debate. Trade groups stress that the sector’s reputation—and worker safety—depend on rigorous compliance as installation volumes rise.

For homeowners and contractors alike, the rules are straightforward: fall-arrest systems on steep slopes, controlled access zones where appropriate, and documented training that matches the specific tasks performed. As more states boost rooftop incentives, authorities are signaling that growth cannot come at the expense of safety fundamentals.

Insurers are watching, too. Elevated loss histories can raise premiums or constrain coverage—costs that ultimately feed back into project pricing. Conversely, firms that institutionalize safety—from daily toolbox talks to third-party audits—often see fewer injuries and smoother operations.

The lesson is not uniquely American. From Europe to Australia, residential solar booms bring similar enforcement waves. Washington’s move is a reminder that compliance is non-negotiable—and that the clean-energy transition only works if the people building it return home safely at the end of the day.