Purpose
To provide a framework for the implementation requirements for lighting within workplaces.
Scope
This guideline applies to all our company staff including contractors, temps, trainees, student work experience persons and volunteers.
Responsibilities
While PCBUs should ensure minimum recommended levels of lighting, each workplace is different and should be assessed to determine whether higher levels of light may be needed.
Lights are most efficient when new. This means that if only minimum levels are provided, to begin with, lighting will quickly drop below minimum requirements as lights age, get covered in dust or simply stop working. This should be considered during the initial planning stages.
Lux levels in the workplace often decrease without people noticing.
It is essential to regularly maintain lighting to ensure ongoing safety.
Guidelines
General requirements
Poor lighting and/or the lack of emergency lighting and illuminated signage during a power failure or emergency situations can lead to serious workplace incidents. These incidents could affect both workers and others.
Lighting systems should be considered in the design and installation phases should:
- be able to accommodate changes in work activities and the progression of construction
- ensure the safety of people so that hazards are visible and well lit
- take types of work task into account
- create a suitable lit work environment
- provide a safe and comfortable visual environment.
- each worker to carry out work without risk to health and safety
- persons to move within the workplace without risk to health and safety
- safe evacuation in an emergency.
- These requirements apply to all workplaces, not just construction sites.
Section 314 of the WHS Regulation requires a principal contractor for a construction project to ensure the requirements of s40(d) are complied with.
Natural Lighting
Where natural light is present the workplace should be assessed to make sure there is enough light for:
- safe access to and from the workplace
- safe performance of tasks
- exiting the workplace in emergency situations (specific attention should be given to the identification, illumination and signage of emergency exits)
- the size and complexity of the workplace, taking into account all of the above.
References
This information has been sourced from: