Eyestrain from struggling to see your computer, narrowly missing a discarded box on the floor, nearly tripping over an electrical lead – these hazards can all be related to poor lighting in the workplace.
You need sufficient lighting to move safely around the workplace and perform your job without adopting an awkward posture or straining your eyes.
According to SafeWork NSW, poor lighting can result in:
- eyestrain, headaches or fatigue from poor posture due to low visibility
- neck, shoulder and back pain from straining to see items in poorly lit areas
- increased risk of injury from slips, trips and falls – particularly when working in and around moving or stationary machinery, equipment and/or near stairs in dim or unlit areas
- psychological issues, such as anxiety, stress or depression, when exposed to gloomy lighting over a period of time
- security risks due to violence and aggression particularly near dark and unlit areas at night.
But lighting doesn’t have to be dim to become a hazard. Too much light or excessive illumination can lead to headaches, fatigue (from exposure to flickering lights or over-illumination), even stress and anxiety.
Glare or reflections can affect your eyes. Eye discomfort, squinting, eye strain and impaired vision can result from constantly adjusting your eyes to the bright light against the average light in the area.
This article was previously published in the Well at Work Newsletter
