Lighting

Objects

Hazards

Possible Controls

Illumination level

• Inadequate lighting

• Match level of illumination to requirements of work (e.g. number, type and position of light sources)
• Have tubes and light fittings cleaned or changed periodically to maintain designed levels of illumination

Lighting colour

• Incompatibility between office lighting and daylight entering the work area
• Lighting being used is unsuitable for night-time work

• If interior is illuminated by daylight, ensure that lighting is compatible with the natural light
• Where there is significant night-time work, include lighting with lower colour temperature (warm colours)
  

Dazzle

• Unshielded light sources (including the sun) are within workers' field of vision

• Move or shield light source(s) from field of vision

Glare / shadows

• Light being reflected from walls, desks and other surfaces in the area
• Inadequate overhead lighting
• Objects or barriers to light falling on work surfaces (i.e. overhead shelves)
• Poor posture increases glare or shadows

• Change the type of diffuser or light fitting to one which reduces the intensity of light / glare
• Choose appropriate colours and finish for desks, walls and ceilings etc to minimise glare
• Consider using LCD monitors as these have less glare
• Increase the number of overhead lights for better coverage
• Remove barriers to reduce shadows
• Where appropriate provide supplementary task lighting
• Ensure workers aware of appropriate working posture

Flicker

• Exposure to continuous flickering from sources of light

• Inspect all office lights on a regular basis and replace any faulty tubes and/or light fittings

Reflections

• Reflections visible in monitor screen makes reading difficult for workers

• Rotate screen to eliminate reflections
• Move or shield reflective source(s)

Task lighting

• Performing work requiring a high level of visual accuracy where normal lighting is insufficient

• Provide suitable lighting as appropriate (e.g. task lamps)