If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a primary duty of care to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of your workers while they are at work. This includes providing and maintaining adequate lighting systems and making sure that your place of work is properly lit. Show
As a PCBU, you also have an obligation to consult with workers about reducing the risk from hazards caused by insufficient lighting (section 47 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011). Find out more about:
At construction sites, the principal contractor for a construction project is responsible for meeting this requirement under section 314 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. Lighting in general work areasThe Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.57 MB) has a table with recommended illumination levels for different types of tasks and workplaces. The amount of light cast on a surface, or the intensity of light, is measured in lux. To keep your workers safe, general work areas should be lit to 160 lux. More complex or intricate tasks require brighter lighting and higher lux readings. Emergency lightingIn an emergency, lighting can help keep workers safe and provide clear directions for a safe exit. Emergency lighting and emergency evacuation signage must have battery backup light fittings so that they still work effectively if there’s a power failure. Emergency escape lighting units (called luminaires) should be placed within two metres of the approach side of each doorway that requires an exit sign. Place luminaires in such a way that they emphasise potential hazards for people exiting the workplace. Access and stair lightingIt’s important that access areas and stairs are well lit. The Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.57 MB) specifies that a minimum 40 lux is recommended for interior spaces dedicated to moving around. However, you might need higher lux levels in certain circumstances. Construction and demolition sitesThere are specific standards that set out benchmarks for electrical installations at construction and demolition sites. Inspectors are guided by these standards when they do compliance inspections, but they’ll also do a risk assessment to determine if lighting levels are actually sufficient. These are:
Four-step risk management processPCBUs must make sure workplaces have the minimum recommended levels of lighting. Every workplace, and different areas in a workplace, should be assessed individually to determine if higher lighting levels are needed. Following a four-step risk management process will help your business meet its responsibilities under work health and safety (WHS) laws. You can also use the practical advice in the Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.57 MB) . Step 1: Identify the hazardWorkers should have enough light to clearly see their path of travel, detect hazards in their path and easily view their work. There are a number of ways you can identify lighting hazards at your place of work. Inspect your businessCheck access and work areas at your workplace for issues that impact on visibility, such as:
The most important areas to assess are:
Talk to your workersAs well as visually inspecting the workplace, you can talk to workers about whether they have enough light to perform their tasks and move around safely. You can do this through informal conversations or team meetings, toolbox talks and surveys. You could also draw a mud map of your workplace and ask workers and supervisors to indicate areas of poor lighting. Remember that PCBUs have a duty to consult workers under section 47 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Review available informationMake sure you read through all Acts and Regulations, codes of practice, and Standards relating to lighting at work. You may find other useful sources of information, including:
Step 2: Assess the riskYou need to assess each risk to determine how severe it is and what action is required to control the risk. You can use Appendix D of the Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.57 MB) or this risk assessment template to guide you and record your assessments. Step 3: Control the riskSome types of work and some areas need extra lighting and lighting requirements can change throughout the day. Too much lighting can result in glare. Measures to prevent low or excessive levels of lighting, glare or reflection include:
For more information about lighting for computer work, you can refer to visual comfort while working on a computer. You must also ensure that there’s sufficient lighting for people to exit safely if there’s an emergency. Step 4: Review control measuresLighting must be regularly maintained and reviewed. Lights are most efficient when they’re new. Over time, they age, become covered in dust, or simply stop working. Lux levels can decrease and drop below minimum required standards without anyone noticing. When mounted on legs stationary equipment must be at least two inches five centimeters off from the floor?True or false: When mounted on legs, stationary equipment must be at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) off the floor. False: It must be at least 6 inches off the floor.
Is an electrical power outage considered by local regulatory authorities to be an imminent health hazard?Examples of imminent health hazards include, but are not limited to, fire, flood, no hot water, no water, power outage, inadequate refrigeration, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of a suspected foodborne illness outbreak, gross unsanitary occurrences or conditions, or other circumstances ...
What items are needed in a handwashing station?Standard components of a handwashing station. A clean enclosed container to hold drinkable water. ... . Liquid or bar hand soap (does not have to be antibacterial).. A greywater container to catch the water used to wash hands.. Single-use paper or cloth towels.. Covered trash container.. What items are needed in a handwashing station quizlet?Hand washing stations should include hot and cold running drinkable water, soap, and a way to dry hands. They should also include a garbage container if paper towels are provided, and signage reminding staff to wash hands before returning to work.
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