Construction Lighting: Challenges and Solutions
More and more, construction projects are undertaken at night, and it’s safe to assume that means artificial lighting is in hot demand. Whether you’re running a small construction site with a few workers or a giant undertaking years in the making, it’s always necessary to plan, arrange, and implement lighting needs. There are specific requirements for lighting a construction site, but there are also options for how to meet those requirements.
At Synergy Equipment, we understand that work hours don’t necessarily line up with daylight hours, which is why we offer a wide range of solutions to your construction lighting challenges.
In that spirit, we’ve put together this short guide to help figure out what might be needed and how you can go about ensuring proper lighting for your site. Read on for more information or head into one of our locations throughout Florida and Georgia.
Challenges of Construction Lighting
Quality, efficient lighting at the construction site helps to eliminate the risk of accidents. When it’s dark, workers and equipment operators just won’t be able to see as much. The less aware they are of their surroundings, the more likely they are to make some unfortunate contact with that environment in a non-work-friendly way.
Lighting Requirements
Most construction site lighting needs are going to be unique to their specific environment, but there are certainly a few general requirements to keep in mind when planning and implementing artificial lighting. For specific regulations, consult OSHA standards. At a minimum, a construction site must be illuminated with artificial lighting when daylight isn’t sufficient. That lighting shouldn’t generate extra glare or much heat or get in the way of maneuvering around the construction site. The light shouldn’t change or influence the color of sign postings or else otherwise hamper standard safety precautions.
Although they meet OSHA standards for safe lighting, metal halide lights create harsh shadows and are often too bright for the workers since they create glare. Fluorescent and incandescent lights also provide adequate lighting to meet OSHA standards with less glare, but the heat given off by those lights make work spaces tough on workers. Plus, keeping the bulbs operating is labor-intensive.
Traditional Lighting vs. LEDs
LEDs have been gaining traction in all manner of industries to provide great illumination with fewer drawbacks found in traditional lighting. However, it’s still plenty common to use traditional lighting sources at construction sites. If you’re using traditional lights, it’s important to be aware of the disadvantages. Chief among them is a short life expectancy, which means replacing bulbs more often. Traditional lighting also needs more attention in maintenance, provides poor lighting quality compared to LEDs, and consumes higher amounts of energy. LEDs wipe away these drawbacks to provide superior lighting, long lifetime, minimal maintenance, as well as reducing total energy cost. LEDs are more expensive upfront, however, but the savings over time will make up for it if you’re working under artificial light quite often.
The basics of construction lighting mean providing a safe, visible environment for workers and equipment operators to reduce the chance of accidents and improve accuracy and quality or work. Solving lighting problems means planning ahead and using the right equipment for the job. If you’re in need of construction lighting equipment, don’t hesitate to call or head into Synergy Equipment. We have locations throughout Florida and Georgia. Come in today and let our team of courteous professionals answer all your questions and help you find the equipment you’re looking for!