Ceiling foil insulation risks to licensed electrical workers

When working in ceiling spaces where foil insulation has been laid on the ceiling structure, you must prevent or minimise the associated electrical safety risks. In such cases, the foil insulation is likely to cover and has the potential to make contact with electrical cables / equipment and other services within the ceiling space. Some of the associated risks may include electrocution, serious electric shock and burns.
 
A number of factors should be considered as part of the electrical worker’s risk assessment before entering the ceiling space or commencing any work on such installations. These factors include:
 
Electrical cables which may have been damaged during the installation of ceiling insulation e.g. cutting, piercing, nailing or stapling into electrical cables Defective electrical cables e.g. perished or rodent-damaged cable insulation Exposed terminals or conductors of electrical equipment in the ceiling space e.g. behind light fittings, fans etc Longer-term electrical safety risks associated with foil insulation due to the disturbance of the foil, and home maintenance activities which may result in the electrification of the foil insulation.
 
These factors result in an increased risk to electrical workers undertaking work including electrical testing at these installations.

The detection of voltage when testing foil insulation may, in fact, be due to a voltage other than directly from the mains supply or electricity generation systems. An information sheet on voltmeter measurements has been published to assist electrical workers in the interpretation of test readings.

Peter Lamont
Executive Director
Electrical Safety Office