Illumination
Illumination should provide a comfortable visual environment at the worksite or work area. The quality and quantity of lighting can ensure a safe work environment for employees.
Illumination
What are the hazards associated with lack of illumination or proper lighting?
Poor or insufficient illumination increases the likelihood for injuries due to slips, trips and falls. It can also create eye strain, headaches and lead to lower productivity. In addition, poor lighting can lead to assaults and vandalism.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Report burned out lights or poorly it areas to your employer. Let them know if you do not have enough lighting in your work area to do your job safely.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
These example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.
Training and Outreach Services
Example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
Other related resource information can be found on the safety and health topics page for confined spaces, underground construction, stairways and ladders, electrical safety, hazardous waste operations and emergency response, sawmills, telecommunications, textiles, pulp, paper and paperboard mills, powered industrial trucks, exits and exit routes, and overhead and gantry cranes.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to illumination and lighting in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.
Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910.37 - maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
- 29 CFR 1910.120 - hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- 29 CFR 1910.146 - permit-required confined spaces
- 29 CFR 1910.165 - employee alarm systems
- 29 CFR 1910.178 - powered industrial trucks
- 29 CFR 1910.179 - overhead and gantry cranes
- 29 CFR 1910.261 - pulp, paper, and paperboard mills
- 29 CFR 1910.262 - textiles
- 29 CFR 1910.265 - sawmills
- 29 CFR 1910.268 - telecommunications
- 29 CFR 1910.303 - electrical, general
- 29 CFR 1910.304 - electrical, wiring design and protection
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926.56 - illumination
- 29 CFR 1926.65 - hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- 29 CFR 1926.404 - electrical, wiring design and protection
- 29 CFR 1926.405 - electrical, wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
- 29 CFR 1926.800 - underground construction
- 29 CFR 1926.851 - stairs, passageways, and ladders
- 29 CFR 1926.1204 - permit-required confined space program
Maritime, Shipyard Employment
- 29 CFR 1915.82 - lighting
Maritime, Marine Terminals
- 29 CFR 1917.123 - illumination
Recordkeeping
- Refer to Recording and Reporting
Other Applicable Standards
The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to illumination and lighting in construction.
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to illumination and lighting in general industry.
- Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards for related to illumination and lighting in shipyard employment.
- Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards related to illumination and lighting in marine terminals.
Technical Assistance
- Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.