| Item |
Hazard/s |
Solutions |
Level of lighting |
- Eyestrain and headaches can result from an the level of lighting being insufficient for the type of tasks being performed.
|
- Good lighting should enable users to easily view their work and environment without straining their eyes.
- Tasks that are predominantly writing and reading require higher lighting levels.
- Tasks that are predominantly computer based require lower lighting levels.
- Often the tasks are a combination of both and therefore 320-400 Lux is generally considered to suit most users.
- Have tubes and light fittings cleaned regularly.
|
Glare |
- Eye fatigue and headaches can be caused by light being reflected from the walls and other surfaces in the work area.
|
- Control natural light from the windows eg. install and use Venetian blinds (these usually work best when angled up rather than down).
- Decrease the contrast between the foreground and the background eg. use a slightly darker partition with a matte surface to reduce the contrast between a computer screen and the surrounding area.
- Reposition the workstation to reduce light falling on the work surface.
- Reduce the general lighting.
|
Reflections |
- Bright reflections can be a source of glare and image reflections are annoying, as they also interfere with focusing mechanisms of the eye. The eye is forced to focus alternately on text and reflective image.
|
- Reflections from screens have been significantly reduced by the use of LCD screens and non-reflective screen surfaces.
- Position the monitor screen side on to the main light source.
- Work with a light coloured background screen set on the monitor.
- Consider re-positioning the workstation.
|
Flicker |
- Eye discomfort caused by exposure to continuous flickering of a malfunctioning fluorescent tube.
|
- Replace any faulty tubes or fitting.
- Regularly inspect office lights as part of the regularly scheduled Office/Workplace Environment/Safety Inspection.
|
Shadows |
- Shadows can reduce the visibility of work, contribute to glare problems and cause the user to adopt poor posture in order to view work.
|
- Increase the number and spread of overhead lighting.
- Re-direct the available lighting.
- Re-position the workstation.
- Barriers to light falling on the work surface such as an overhead shelf should be removed or relocated.
- An adjustable task lamp may provide specific lighting where shadows are a problem. This can create pools of light so care should be taken with this option.
|
Task Lighting |
- Doing clerical work in low light areas.
- Performing tasks eg. working on spreadsheets that require a high level of visual accuracy.
|
- Provide supplementary task lighting.
|