A total of 74 workers died on German construction sites in 2025. Of these, 26 lost their lives due to falls, with 15 of these fatal accidents occurring on roofs. The relevant trade association is therefore warning of additional risks arising from the boom in photovoltaic systems, as an increasing number of installers, electricians, and maintenance workers are operating on hard-to-access roof surfaces. A lack of safety measures, fragile components, and unsuitable access routes can have fatal consequences in such situations.
Accident insurance fund continues to identify falls as the greatest fatal hazard
In 2025, more than one in three fatal workplace accidents in the construction industry resulted from a fall. Falls thus remained the leading cause of death during construction work and related activities. However, the statistics do not capture all accidents involving work on solar installations; electricians, for instance, often fall under the jurisdiction of other accident insurance providers and therefore do not appear in the BG BAU figures.
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The total number of recorded falls highlights the scale of the problem. By the end of October 2025, the BG BAU had already registered 6,178 such workplace accidents. Workers performing tasks on roofs were particularly affected. Consequently, the trade association stepped up its prevention efforts and launched an initiative for safe roofing work in collaboration with the roofing trade.
Photovoltaic systems expose more workers to dangerous heights
Roofs do far more than just protect buildings from wind and precipitation; they now also serve as sites for photovoltaic systems and other technical installations. This has led to a significant increase in installation, maintenance, repair, and cleaning work. However, many solar modules are located in areas that are difficult for workers to access.
Additional risks arise when inexperienced companies or workers with only basic training take on the job. Not every provider is well-versed in the regulations regarding roof access, edge protection, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Furthermore, intense price pressure can lead to necessary safety measures being excluded from quotes. While omitting scaffolding lowers the price, it increases the risk of a serious fall.
Skylights and old roof panels can give way suddenly
Components that appear sturdy but cannot support a person’s weight pose a particular danger. These include skylights, continuous rooflights, plastic elements, and older fiber-cement panels. Dirt and weathering make it difficult to distinguish between load-bearing areas and weak spots. The trade association therefore requires the roof to be inspected before any work begins.
Load-bearing covers, walkways, and edge protection can prevent fall-through accidents. Safety nets or catch scaffolds also mitigate the consequences of a fall. However, personal protective equipment is only effective when used with suitable anchor points and a functional rescue plan. Companies must therefore establish mandatory safety measures before work commences.
Homeowners should check the safety measures included in the quote
Stair towers, scaffolding, and permanent building staircases generally offer the safest access to the roof. Leaning ladders, by contrast, are suitable only for limited tasks; therefore, other access solutions should be used for longer solar installation projects. Furthermore, tools and modules can be transported to the roof more safely using hoists or cranes.
Private homeowners must also address safety at their construction site. However, their specific obligations depend on the nature of the contract, the site itself, and the companies involved. Consequently, scaffolding, roof access, and fall protection measures should be clearly itemized in the quote. The relevant professional association emphasizes that careful preparation can prevent many serious and fatal accidents.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Bild: (16.06.25) – Tagesspiegel (28.04.26) – IGBau (Stand: 16.06.26) – Baustellenshop24 (Stand:16.06.26)