Solar install with one roof side unprotected: project manager convicted

08/10/2026 · Horgen District Court · Rüschlikon (ZH) · Injured

What happened Three roof sides were guarded, the courtyard side was not. A tradesman tried to hold toppling solar panels and fell about 3.1 m.

What the court decided Appeal lodged right after the verdict – not final.

• Project manager of the construction firm: convicted of negligent breach of building regulations, 120 day-fines of CHF 280 (total CHF 33,600), suspended. As project manager he approved inadequate measures: no fall protection on the courtyard side (scaffold, walkway or similar). Documents named him project manager; witnesses said the instruction not to tie off came from him. Fault rated as minor.

Edge protection on three of four sides is not enough. Whoever signs off the measures is liable, even from the office.

Source: blue News (DE)