Why Lighting Matters in the Workplace
We
turn the lights on in the morning in our offices, warehouses, stores, and
workplaces. Then we turn off all, or most of them, when we leave. That’s
probably the extent to which most people think about lighting in the workplace.
However,
research has shown that lighting at work can significantly
affect brain function and productivity. A study of
444 employees from the United States and
India via an online panel showed that natural elements like green spaces,
running water, and particularly sunlight exposure related positively to job
satisfaction and organizational commitment, while reducing depressed mood and feelings
of anxiety.
While we can’t always bring the
sunlight in, with proper lighting we can replicate its effects, mimicking the
natural progression of light throughout the day to adapt to our “circadian rhythms.”
According
to the Harvard Medical School, these circadian rhythms affect your sleep
patterns, hormones, body temperature, and eating habits. When they’re out of
sync, they can also cause health issues and lead to problems like diabetes,
obesity, and seasonal affective disorder or depression.
The biggest factor affecting your circadian rhythm is light. Your body wants to sleep when it’s dark and awaken when
it’s light, since your master clock is linked directly to the nerves in your
eyes. When daylight fades, your eyes signal your brain to release more
melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy. And when the sun rises again,
those same signals from your eyes tell the brain to turn those melatonin levels
down.
How Light Affects
Employees’ Moods and Mental Health
Bad lighting is associated with a
range of negative health effects, both physical and mental, such as eye strain,
headaches, fatigue and also stress and anxiety in more high-pressured work
environments. Evidence suggests that the lack of natural sunlight even adversely
affects the mind, resulting in conditions such as seasonal affective disorder
(SAD).
As we approach the darkest (and
shortest) days of the year, it’s an unfortunate fact that 40% of office workers
are struggling to work in poor lighting. And the impact isn’t just on
wellbeing, but productivity as well— according to a new research report from
the UK arm of Staples which examined the impact of lighting
in the workplace.
In October 2018, they conducted an online
survey of 7,000 desk-based office workers from ten European countries
including: The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway,
Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Finland. The results: A whopping 80% of office
workers said that having good lighting in their workspace is important to them;
and two in five (40%) reported dealing with uncomfortable lighting every day. A
third (32%) said better lighting would make them happier at work. One-fourth
(25%) of those surveyed reported being frustrated about poor lighting in their
workplaces.
Color Temperature
Also Affects Employees and Guests
You may (or may not) be surprised to
learn that it’s not just the type and intensity of light that affects the human
body. It’s also the color, which is called the “temperature” and is measured in
kelvin (K). Scientifically, it’s based upon the color of light emitted when an
object is heated- as the temperature increases, the object changes colors and
emits certain colors of light, starting at red and moving to yellow, blue, and
then finally bright white.
- Higher
color temperatures (4,600K or more) appear blue-white and are called cool or
daylight colors.
- Mid-range
color temperatures (3,100K–4,600K) appear bright
white.
- Lower color temperatures (up to 3,000K) range from red to
yellowish-white in tone and are called warm colors. A traditional incandescent
or halogen bulb is around 2700K.
Since warmer tones tend to create a sense of comfort we associate them with sunrise or sunsets. Use these tones in
more intimate settings where you want people to feel calm and relaxed, perhaps
in a small meeting room or private office.
Conference rooms, training rooms,
and other large meeting rooms should make people alert, similar to how they
would normally feel during a bright sky at midday. Look for mid-range color
temperatures that balance a friendly and inviting environment while also
staying high enough to keep them productive and energized.
The Right Light
Improves Productivity and Performance
For many workplaces, providing
access to natural daylight is not an option. The good news is, studies have
found that working under “blue-enriched” light bulbs that are 17,000K actually
increases work performance by supporting mental acuity, vitality and alertness
while reducing fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Researchers at the University of
Greenwich found in a two-month study that the workers they put under
“blue-enriched light bulbs” reported feeling “happier, more alert and had less
eye strain.”
Other benefits of blue light include
lowering melatonin, which is created in our glands and basically puts us to
sleep. This lower level of melatonin keeps people alert in the same way coffee
does.
Proper Lighting
can Impact Employee Safety
Lighting may seem simple, but if it’s
not done right it can lead to problems such as eyestrain, eye irritation, eye
dryness, blurred vision and headaches. Plus, poor lighting can create safety
issues and reduce productivity because employees may grow uncomfortable or find
themselves unable to keep up with the pace of their work because they can’t see
very well.
Good lighting, on the other hand,
can make employees more comfortable and increase productivity. A space that is
well lit without too many shadows or too much glare enables workers to focus on
the tasks at hand without needing to squint, use awkward postures, or go in
search of additional light sources.
Placement and Direction of Light Impacts Productivity
Architects
and builders usually specify lighting during the construction phase of a
building. But employers must realize that lighting should always be tailored to
the tasks that will be performed in the presence of that light. Lighting may
need to change or be supplemented to enable workers to do their jobs.
The
workplace usually requires three main types of lighting: general,
localized-general, and local/task. General lighting such as ceiling fixtures light up large areas, while localized-general lighting is slightly
closer to workstations. These overhead fixtures help illuminate the places
where tasks are performed. Local or task
lighting gets even closer to people and may include desk lamps and floor
lamps which can be adjusted by employees to help them see the materials they’re
working with.
In
addition to the amount, temperature, and type of lighting, consider the
following when choosing fixtures.
- Project light downward for those performing tasks with small parts (direct).
-
Distribute light both up and down (direct-indirect fixtures).
-
Direct light almost entirely upward to reflect off walls and ceilings (indirect fixtures).
When used together, the temperature, amount of light, type of lighting, and fixtures
should be carefully considered for each area where employees or guests will be
present to maximize both effectiveness as well as positive impact on well-being.
How to Use this Information When Selecting Lighting
Because
lighting is not one-size-fits-all, a knowledgeable lighting designer should
help you answer consider the following issues that could be present in your
workplace:
- Is there
enough lighting for employees to see what they’re doing easily?
- Is there too
much lighting? (This results in glare issues and eyestrain.)
- Is there poor
contrast? (If employees struggle to distinguish objects from the
background or if areas have very different light levels, then contrast
might be a problem.)
- Is the light
poorly distributed? (Some areas might be dark and others bright.)
- Are shadows
common? (Direct lighting often results in shadows.)
- Are
accident-prone areas such as stairs well lit?
- Is reducing
energy use something your business is interested in? (If so, you may want
to select bulbs such as CFLs or LEDs.)
Once
you’ve determined which of these issues are present in your facility, you can
find ways to improve your lighting.
Improve Lighting with These Tips
In general, employers should try to provide
enough light, reduce glare, improve contrast and eliminate excessive shadows.
To achieve this, try some of the following methods suggested by the Canadian
Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS):
- Replace bulbs on
a schedule. Over time, bulbs begin to emit less light.
- Clean fixtures. Accumulated
dust reduces the amount of light being distributed throughout the work area..
- Add more lighting
in dim areas. For example, if a worker is struggling to read documents, provide
a task lamp. Task lamps can also help eliminate shadows.
- If lighting is
inadequate, paint walls and ceilings light colors to reflect light.
- Avoid positioning
lights directly behind workers, as this can create shadows.
- To reduce glare,
cover bulbs, use fixtures that are lower intensity and provide lamps with
brightness controls. You can also paint walls with matte paint and remove shiny
objects from the work area.
- Improve lighting
distribution by using fixtures that direct light upwards.
- Get input from
workers. Find out how the lighting is working for them and if eyestrain is a
problem.
According to CCOHS, “People receive about 85
percent of their information through their sense of sight.” That means
facilitating good eyesight is worth spending time and money on. Workers are
more likely to be involved in accidents if they can’t see well and their job
performance could suffer.
Programmable Lighting is the Next Big Thing
Innovative
companies are already discovering the power of strategic lighting.
“We’re already
seeing the potential for programmable light that can replicate our circadian
rhythms and be easily controlled with smart home controls, bulbs and fixtures,”
explains Vice President of Residential Lighting, Matthew Rowan. “We already
have the technology available to enable us to change the intensity, color, and
direction of light using voice commands or timed daily routines.”
Call Dominion Electric Supply
To learn more
about lighting for your next project, contact Dominion Electric Supply. Depending
on the type, size, and scope of your project, we’ll connect you with a lighting
specialist who can help you choose the right solution for you and your
customers.
