Occupational Hygiene : Lighting

Problems associated with lighting are not always given a high priority. This may be due to a lack of understanding of subject or a lack of information.

‘Normal’ lighting in a workplace is not directly associated with health effects, other than possibly eyestrain and headaches. In some instances poor lighting may be a contributory factor to ‘office sickness’ or ‘sick building syndrome’.

The first signs of poor lighting can be identified by the actions of employees: squinting at object, looking too close to objects or instructions, shading eyes to see.

Indirectly, inadequate or inappropriate lighting, can results in accidents with far more serious consequences. Changing the layout of a factory or other workplace, without altering the lighting can leave some areas of unacceptable shadow.

Lighting is not only about intensity. Other related factors maybe more significant in specific situations:

  • Glare from reflective surfaces
  • Orientation of light fitting
  • Type of lighting
  • Location of lights with respect to the task and operators
  • Movement of personnel and other traffic

On occasions the nature of the lighting may also contribute to problems, e.g. flickering, stroboscopic effects and type of light sources.

Assessments are in six simple steps:

  • Look for the hazards
  • Assess who may be harmed and how
  • Evaluate the risks
  • Record the findings
  • Quantify the level of risk
  • Suggest remedial action

Newcastle Occupational Health & Hygiene can measure luminance in any workplace, assess the effects of glare and reflection on the operatives in the light of HSE guidelines, and advise on improvements to the working environment.

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Lighting