In the fast-paced nature of industrial environments in today’s world, it is sometimes challenging to halt for a moment to look around and observe the state of your facility.
Insufficient lighting can be detrimental to the workplace. Poor lighting is responsible for most common accidents, including trips, falls, slips and contact with dangerous types of machinery.
Despite the potential risks associated with poor lighting, a staggering 90 percent of industrial facilities still rely on conventional light fixtures. Namely, high-pressure sodium (HPS), they have a terrible reputation for their unnatural orange glow, insufficient illumination, short lifespan, and the potential dangers which come with the exposure to mercury. For the employees, the lighting system should never be the cause of an injury during their job.
The modern and long-lasting LED lighting is the perfect solution that can drastically reduce the risk of industrial workplace accidents. LEDs provide a safer, well-illuminated environment.
Here are seven ways workplace accidents will decrease with the installation of industrial-grade LED lighting.
1. Improved color rendering
Every type of lighting has its position on the color rendering index (CRI) chart. This chart measures from a scale from 0 to 100, based on how accurately it can produce light that matches a natural reference source of light.
The CRI table is summarised below:
- Excellent – 90 to 100
- Good – 60 to 89, daylight (cool white)
- Poor – 0 to 59, warm white
A standard HPS bulb produces illumination with a CRI of less than 30. This makes it cumbersome for workers to identify colors on hazmat placards, wires, and labels, all of which are depending upon color coding for safety.
In comparison, industrial LEDs have a CRI of 70 or above, offering a much more natural color that mimics daylight — providing adequate illumination to improve worker’s color perception in the workplace.
2. More alert!
Two of the significant contributors to accidents or injuries are fatigue and drowsiness. This concern is especially more problematic during overnight shift work when they are unable to see natural sunlight for long hours at a time.
Compared to the low CRI of traditional lighting fixtures, which can lower energy levels among workers, the white/blue light of modern LEDs actually lessens fatigue, increases productivity and make workers feel up to five times more awake!
3. Less maintenance required
If a light fixture stops functioning in a workplace, it can lead to dark spots as, as well as added maintenance.
The bulbs would have to be replaced from high ceilings, increasing the dangers of falling from ladders or lifts and possible electrocution.
Since traditional bulbs burnout often, the workers have a constant risk of falling or hurting themselves. LEDs have an approximate life expectancy of 50,000 hours. Meaning, much less lighting maintenance will be needed, lowering the probability of injuries.
4. Minimized work errors and maximized safety
A light’s color temperature usually determines people’s vision and how they see an object. It also impacts a person’s mood, efficiency, and work productivity. Higher color temperature means a more vibrant color and brighter light, and along with better visibility, it is very similar to natural light.
Traditional HPS lights have a color temperature of 1900K-2100K, whereas industrial grade LED lights to have around 4000K-5000K.
Due to the significant increase in color temperature degrees, LED lights installment in workplaces can considerably create better visibility and turn on the mood of your workers. The more happy and productive they are, the less they’ll make mistakes and accidents in the workplace will reduce accordingly.
On the other hand, dull and dim lighting in wide areas like workplaces can be the cause of occasional headaches, eye strain, and hence, resulting in distressed workers. They are less energetic and prone to make errors that can threaten both your business and their safety.
5. LEDs versatility improves safety
LEDs can be selected for specific lighting purposes because the color and intensity can be tweaked as needed. It can keep in check with the worker’s circadian rhythm. They also can be controlled by motion sensors and put on timers when required. Having more versatility will reduce injuries that occur due to hands-on work with the traditional lighting fixtures.
For example, through remote management, workers will be able to change the direction of the LED lights from anywhere inside the facility, even from the comfort of their own home! Otherwise, with traditional lights, they would have to manually move the bulb to change directions of the light, being more susceptible to accidents in the process.
6. LEDs can instantly turn on
In the scenario of a power disruption or outage, it can take traditional lighting around several minutes to warm up and return to full output. Visibility is severely limited due to low light conditions during that period.
In comparison, LEDs turn on instantly, as they do not require any warm-up period to output the maximum level of illumination. Visibility will be restored as soon as the power comes back, your workers will get back to work faster and safer.
7. Zero exposure to mercury
Here is an astounding bit of information; a single HPS bulb consists of enough mercury vapor to poison an entire classroom filled with children. Your building may have hundreds of these attached to the ceiling.
When replacing a bulb, mistakenly if you lose your grip, the bulb full of poisonous and harmful chemicals will drop below to the ground and shatter.
Your worker’s health can be at risk due to mercury exposure even if there’s just one broken bulb in the workplace. LEDs are manufactured to be more durable and do not contain any mercury vapor or other harmful chemicals, making them a much safer replacement for your workplace.
Industrial LED lighting is proven to have higher longevity, better performance, reduced maintenance and most important of them all, provide better safety in the workplace.
It is undoubtedly the best alternative to other lights available on the market today. LEDs are essential when it comes to the long-term health and safety of industry workers.
Liam Barnard is a freelance writer, social media marketer and independent blogger who writes about sustainability, technology, globalization, finance, and home improvement. He aspires to become a professional writer and make a difference in society and the world we live in. He is always enthusiastic about promoting brands like littil LED Lights. They have been providing the highest quality of LED lights to suit the individual needs of the customers. And one of the leading wholesale suppliers and innovators of LED lights.
