As a business owner, workplace safety is always a top priority. One area of safety that is often overlooked is lighting.
Poor lighting can lead to various accidents, including slips, trips, and falls. Poor lighting can also have long-term, harmful effects that could hurt your employees, business, and efficiency.
That’s why it’s essential to have a regular lighting assessment.
A lighting assessment comes with a wide range of benefits. They include a safe work environment, happier employees, improved productivity, legislative compliance, and more.
What Is A Lighting Assessment?
A lighting assessment is an evaluation of the lighting in a workplace to ensure that it meets the safety standards set by the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL).
A qualified contractor, such as our team at Apex Environmental, can carry out this assessment. A lighting assessment can also be done by an employee who has been trained in how to conduct such an assessment.
A lighting assessment aims to ensure that the workplace is safe for employees and that it meets the recommended standards set out in the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces,1987.
Sometimes, a lighting assessment will also include a review of the electrical system to ensure that it is up to code and that there are no potential hazards.
The Potential Hazards And Health Effects Of Improper Lighting
When it comes to lighting in the workplace, a few potential hazards can pose health risks to employees. These risks can include:
- Excessive contrast
- Glare
- Blindspots
- Poor colour rendering
- Inefficient lighting
These risks can lead to a variety of health effects, such as:
- Eyestrain
- Migraine
- Poor Concentration
- Eye irritation
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
A proper lighting assessment can help you avoid all of these potential hazards and health effects.
A lighting assessment will evaluate all of the potential risks and hazards in your workplace and provide recommendations on how to fix them.
By properly assessing the lighting in your workplace, you can avoid these potential health risks and keep your employees safe.
How To Prepare A Lighting Assessment Checklist
A lighting assessment checklist is a great way to ensure that your workplace meets the minimum safety standards set by the Department of Employment and Labour. Here’s how to prepare one:
Step 1: Identify Potential Hazards
First, identify all potential hazards in your workplace that could threaten employees’ safety. This includes anything from electrical wiring to exposed light bulbs.
You can identify potential hazards by conducting a walk-through of your workplace or reviewing the DoEL’s list of common workplace hazards.
Step 2: Create A Survey
Create a survey that employees can fill out. This survey should ask employees about their working conditions, including whether they feel safe and comfortable in their work environment.
Include questions about employee exposure to light, which can be a significant source of discomfort and even health problems.
Step 3: Evaluate The Risk Level
Evaluating the risk level will help you prioritise which dangers need to be addressed first. Also, consider the severity of the hazard and how likely it is to cause injury.
For example, an electrical wiring issue would be considered a high-risk hazard because it could lead to severe injuries or death. However, an exposed light bulb poses a lower risk because it’s not as likely to cause harm.
Step 4: Create A Plan Of Action
After you’ve evaluated the risks, it’s time to create an action plan. This action plan should include steps on how to address each hazard and a timeline for when these steps need to be completed.
Be sure to involve all employees in this process, as they may have valuable input on how to best address the hazards.
Step 5: Follow Up And Review
Once you’ve created a plan of action, it’s essential to follow up and review it regularly. This will help ensure that all hazards are being addressed and that your workplace remains safe.
The Best Lighting Assessment Services In South Africa
Your business is your #1 priority. Every day, you have hundreds of things to think about and juggle. Therefore, you might not have time to assess your workplace for potential hazards. That’s where we come in.
At Apex Environmental, our lighting assessment services are designed to help you identify potential hazards in your workplace so you can take steps to mitigate them.
We’ll come to your facility and conduct a thorough analysis of your lighting system. We’ll help you improve efficiency, and ensure safety and compliance.
Contact us today to partner with South Africa’s best lighting assessment service.
