Importance of Proper Light Levels

Published September 2019

Whether in industrial or office settings, lighting in your workplace is very important. Believe it or not, proper light levels may increase productivity and alertness in the workplace, whereas poor light levels could cause less productivity, along with health concerns. The perfect level of light can be measured by using foot-candles. Making sure the light-levels are perfect can really make a difference in your work environment.

What is a foot-candle?

The most common way for lighting professionals to calculate light levels is by using a foot-candle. A foot-candle measures light intensity and is used to measure the illuminance as the light energy reaches a given surface area. In fact, one foot-candle is equivalent to one lumen per square foot. It is the lumen rating that indicates the amount of light energy produced.

Now you may be wondering, how are foot-candles measured? Our lighting professionals can detect the foot-candles by using a light meter. They calculate the total number of lumens in the light sources and their distances from a workspace to guarantee enough illumination. A typical indoor light fixture can provide light outputs ranging anywhere from 50 to 10,000 lumens. Some organizations may have their own light-level requirements, but at a minimum, light levels in a building should meet OSHA requirements.

OSHA Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was put into place to ensure the safety of a workplace. The Federal Government set and enforces these standards to make sure that all working conditions reduce glare and excessive lighting, which can cause headaches and eyestrain to individuals’ overtime. Click here for more information and regulations about OSHA guidelines from the United States Department of Labor.

 

Value of a Properly Lit Workspace

Bottom line, you need a functioning human eye and light to be able to see. However, perception depends on how a space is lit. In order to have a functional workspace, having it properly lit is very important for many reasons. According to the National Lighting Bureau, lighting can affect not only physiological responses but also visual (mental) perception. Studies have shown that the quality of light affects people in many different ways. Poor lighting, especially lighting that flickers, directly affects work performance and causes eyestrain and other health problems. Whereas, proper lighting brings aesthetic advantages to your workplace and increases the productivity of your workers. By the application of proper lighting, businesses can add value, reduce energy costs, and enhance performance.

 

Negative Effects of LED Lighting 

Although LED lighting is highly recommended to add value to a workspace, there is such thing as over-lighting. Millions of people have established a light sensitivity to LED lights when areas are over lit. Medical professionals have called this photosensitivity or photophobia. This intolerance to LED lights is not life threatening but can cause extreme discomfort.

Working with a lighting professional is the only way to ensure your LED upgrade project does not have negative effects. If you want to know more about the importance of light levels, contact our lighting professionals and they will be glad to assist you.