By following this guide, you may identify hazards, the degree of risk and the possible solutions.
Lighting
Lighting is an essential provision for any workplace. It is preferrable to provide uniform illumination over the entire workplace by combining both natural and artificial lighting.
Localised lighting may be required in certain cases to cut costs and improve illumination. Good lighting helps us to see and to recognise hazards. It can reduce visual strain and discomfort.
Poor lighting may affect workers' performance and health as poor visibility increases the chances of errors being made.
It also means that people work slower.
Besides, natural working posture may not be possible under poor lighting, thus resulting in musculo-skeletal strain.
General & Uniform
Localised
Local
Fig. 1. Different Light Provisions
Risk assessment with lighting in their workplace
The following checklist is designed to help you assess the health risks at your workplace.
Answer all the questions and if your answer(s) is the same as that indicating “potential hazards”, there are deficiencies in the safety system or there are situations that can cause health hazards/accidents.
You are advised to go through the guidance materials presented in the following sections and apply suitable solutions to eliminate or reduce the health hazards.
Should you get matched answers in question 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 10, you will probably experience visual strain or fatigue and may require immediate remedial actions.
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Potential hazards |
Answers indicating |
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Is there only natural or general lighting provided in your workplace? |
Yes |
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Are there sufficient light fittings and are they well distributed? |
No |
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Are there any glare problems? |
Yes |
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Does the lighting make a harsh contrast between your work and its surroundings? |
Yes |
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Are the contrast and brightness of the task satisfactory, when it is compared with the immediate background? |
No |
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Are there any shadows cast across your work station? |
Yes |
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Is the lighting too dim? |
Yes |
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Is there too much light? |
Yes |
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Is the lighting colour suitable for your activity? |
No |
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Do any of the lights flicker? |
Yes |
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Is there any heat radiation or hot spot effects from the lighting? |
Yes |
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Do you experience visual strain or frequent headaches? |
Yes |
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Do you work long hours in front of a computer screen? |
Yes |
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Do you have access to the lighting controls? |
No |
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Is there a schedule or a plan for maintenance of the lighting in your workplace? |
No |