How much lighting does a warehouse or factory need?

26 Jan

Whether in a warehouse, factory or industrial unit, high-quality lighting is critical.

You may wonder how much lighting you need to keep employees happy and fulfil any legal obligations. Here’s what you need to know when planning lighting in an industrial space.

 

Lighting regulations at work and the law

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that “every workplace shall have suitable and sufficient lighting” and “the lighting mentioned… shall so far as is reasonably practicable be by natural light.”

“Suitable and sufficient” emergency lighting is also needed to keep buildings illuminated when there is a mains power failure. This ensures that people can safely leave the building in an emergency situation.

It is the responsibility of employers to make sure the right level of lighting is in place.

 

What lighting do I need to have in my warehouse or factory?

There aren’t any specific regulations detailing how much lighting you need and what parts of your building need to be illuminated. This is because different buildings and industries need different levels of illumination.

As a rule of thumb, the more detailed and precise the task that needs to be carried out, the more light is needed. For example, soldering a delicate circuit board will require a more thorough light source than walking down a corridor.

The main thing is keeping employees safe in the workplace. A well-lit workplace not only means fewer accidents, illnesses, and injuries, but also boosts staff efficiency and productivity.

If you are looking for extra guidance, the HSE has a guide to lighting at work that you might find helpful.

 

How to identify the lighting a warehouse or factory needs

The best way to understand what lighting you need in your warehouse, factory, or industrial space is to carry out a risk assessment.

By identifying potential hazards, you can see what, as well as how much, lighting is required. For example:

 

• Do people need control of their lighting to perform specific tasks?
• Is lighting required to make an area safer, for example, a car park or crowded storage room?
• Is the lighting uniform in a specific area? Changes in brightness could cause issues
• Is there any coloured text to take into consideration? Some light sources can make coloured text hard to read

 

It might also be that individuals have specific requirements when it comes to lighting. For example, older people aged 60 need three times more light than those aged 20. Flickering lights could cause issues in people with epilepsy.

 

Still not sure? Let the LED Industrial Lighting Company help

We’re an independent LED lighting consultancy that will not only help you achieve compliance, but also reduce operational costs and lower your energy bills.

Book your free consultation today and see what type of lighting will best benefit your business.

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