Workplace safety is a top priority for all companies, especially in manufacturing and warehouses. Lots of factors take part in ensuring a workplace is safe for employees, such as equipment upgrades, employee training and education, but one of the most important is proper lighting. It is crucial for employees to have adequate workplace lighting, not only for performing their duties but to maintain a level of safety. Let’s explore how effective lighting contributes to workplace safety, lighting safety requirements, and a guide on proper lighting safety for your industry.

Lighting plays a fundamental role in creating a safe work environment. Poor lighting can lead to accidents, injuries, and decreased productivity. Here’s why lighting is so important:

• Visibility and Accident Prevention: Inadequate lighting is a leading cause of workplace accidents, including slips, trips, and falls. Poor visibility can also result in mishandling equipment or overlooking hazards, increasing the risk of injuries.
• Impact on Productivity and Mental Well-being: Proper lighting reduces eye strain and fatigue, helping employees maintain focus and efficiency. Bright, well-distributed lighting can improve mood and cognitive function, leading to better job performance.
• Common Accidents Related to Poor Lighting: Accidents such as falls due to unseen obstacles, collisions with moving machinery, or errors in reading safety labels often stem from poor lighting conditions. These incidents can lead to serious injuries, lost productivity, and costly legal claims.

Different types of lighting serve various safety purposes in the workplace:

• General Lighting: Provides uniform illumination across the entire workspace, ensuring overall visibility. This includes ceiling lights and overhead fixtures commonly used in offices and industrial settings.
• Task Lighting: Focused lighting designed for specific activities, such as reading, assembly work, or operating machinery. Examples include desk lamps in offices or spotlights in manufacturing plants.
• Accent Lighting: Enhances visibility in targeted areas, such as staircases, hallways, or safety signs. This type of lighting helps draw attention to potential hazards.
• Emergency Lighting: Activated during power outages or emergencies, emergency lighting includes exit signs, backup lights, and pathway illumination to facilitate safe evacuation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets clear guidelines to ensure workplace lighting supports employee safety. OSHA measures lighting in foot candles (fc), which represent the amount of light reaching a surface. Here are OSHA’s general lighting requirements for different work environments:

• Offices, First Aid Stations, and Infirmaries: A minimum of 30 foot candles is required to provide clear visibility for detailed tasks and emergency care.
• General Construction Plants, Shops, Active Storerooms, Indoor Bathrooms, and Mess Rooms: Must maintain at least 10 foot candles to support safe operations in busy, equipment-heavy areas.
• Indoor Construction Areas, Warehouses, Corridors, Hallways, and Exit Routes: Require a minimum of 5 foot candles to help workers navigate safely and reduce the risk of trips and falls.
• Underground Work Areas (e.g., Tunnels and Shafts): Must maintain at least 5 foot candles to ensure visibility in confined, low-light environments.
• Loading Platforms, Refueling Areas, Excavation Sites, Active Storage Areas, and Field Maintenance Zones: Require at least 3 foot candles to ensure adequate lighting in outdoor or rugged conditions where heavy machinery and manual tasks are common.

OSHA also provides additional regulations regarding light covers, installation practices, and emergency lighting systems to prevent hazards related to exposed bulbs, improper wiring, or malfunctioning equipment.

Several lighting-related issues can compromise workplace safety:

• Inadequate Illumination: Insufficient lighting in critical areas can obscure hazards, making it difficult for employees to navigate safely.
• Glare and Shadows: Excessive glare or deep shadows can cause visual discomfort and reduce the ability to see clearly, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Flickering Lights: Flickering or unstable lighting can be distracting and may trigger headaches, eye strain, or even health issues like migraines.
• Inconsistent Lighting Levels: Uneven lighting across different areas can cause workers’ eyes to constantly adjust, leading to fatigue and reduced awareness of potential dangers.

There can be serious consequences to inadequate workplace lighting. When employees cannot see properly, it can lead to slips, falls, collisions, accidents with heavy machinery, and errors. These accidents can lead to serious injury or even fatalities in high-risk environments like manufacturing.

OSHA enforces strict lighting requirements for workplaces, so these accidents don’t happen. Violations could result in fines of over $10,000 while repeat offenses can lead to legal action. Other repercussions include damage to the company’s reputation, high workers’ compensation claims and insurance costs.

To ensure workplace lighting supports safety and productivity, consider the following best practices:

• Conduct Regular Lighting Assessments: Periodic audits help identify areas with insufficient lighting or maintenance issues. Use light meters to measure brightness levels and compare them with OSHA’s requirements.
• Ensure Compliance with OSHA Regulations: Adhering to OSHA lighting standards is crucial for minimizing risks and avoiding penalties. OSHA specifies minimum foot-candle levels for different work environments to ensure adequate lighting.
• Implement Adjustable Lighting Solutions: Adjustable lighting allows employees to modify light levels based on specific tasks. For example, task lamps with dimming options can reduce eye strain in office settings.
• Incorporate Natural Light: Where possible, maximize the use of natural daylight to improve mood and reduce energy costs. Skylights and large windows can help supplement artificial lighting effectively.

Advancements in lighting technology have made it easier to create safe, energy-efficient work environments:

• Smart Lighting Systems: Automated lighting systems with motion sensors and timers ensure lights are used efficiently. These systems adjust brightness based on occupancy or natural light availability, reducing energy waste.
• LED Technology: LED lighting is energy-efficient, durable, and provides superior brightness compared to traditional lighting. LEDs offer better color rendering, which is essential for tasks that require color differentiation, such as reading safety signs or wiring.
• Motion Sensors and Timers: In areas with intermittent use, such as warehouses or storage rooms, motion-activated lighting ensures spaces are illuminated only when needed. This improves safety while conserving energy.

Conclusion

Proper lighting is a vital component for accident prevention and productivity. No matter what industry your business is in, proper lighting needs to be taken into consideration to enhance focus, avoid accidents and stay in compliance with OSHA regulation.

Action Services Group offers a variety of lighting solutions to improve efficiency and safety for your company. By leveraging the latest lighting technology and smart lighting controls, you can have a safer and healthier environment for your employees. Reach out to us today to learn more.  To speak with one of our specialists, call 610-558-9773, email [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.