Lighting Survey - Ensuring Safe Work Environments | OHSA

Workplace Lighting Survey and Assessment Services

Eliminate visual fatigue, prevent accidents, and optimize your workplace environment. Poor lighting does more than just cause headaches; it directly increases the risk of critical workplace accidents. OHSA provides comprehensive workplace lighting surveys to measure lux levels, identify hazardous glare, and ensure your facility meets strict legal standards. Furthermore, we train safety professionals to identify and manage these complex occupational hygiene risks in-house.

Book a Lighting Survey consultation: info@ohsa.com.au 

The Hidden Hazards of Poor Workplace Lighting

You cannot manage what you cannot see. Under the WHS Act, employers must provide adequate lighting to ensure workers can perform their tasks safely.

Unfortunately, many businesses fail to realize their lighting has degraded over time. Insufficient illumination hides trip hazards and moving machinery. Conversely, excessive lighting and glare cause severe eye strain, mental fatigue, and reduced productivity. Therefore, our expert occupational hygienists conduct precise lighting surveys using calibrated equipment. We take the guesswork out of visual ergonomics, ensuring your environment is safe, comfortable, and fully compliant.

Our Comprehensive Lighting Assessment Solutions

We deliver targeted photometric testing to protect your workers and your legal standing.

1. AS/NZS 1680 Lux Level Testing. First, we measure the exact amount of light (lux) falling on your work surfaces. We systematically map your facility and compare our readings directly against the AS/NZS 1680 standard. Consequently, we ensure every zone—from detailed inspection benches to warehouse walkways—has the correct illumination.
2. Task-Specific Visual Ergonomics. Different tasks require completely different lighting solutions. For example, a data entry clerk requires different lighting than a forklift operator. Therefore, we conduct task-specific assessments to eliminate shadows and optimise visual comfort for your specific operational needs.
3. Glare and Reflectance Analysis. Glare is a major cause of visual fatigue and temporary blindness. Specifically, we assess both direct glare from exposed bulbs and reflected glare from shiny surfaces or computer screens. Next, we provide actionable engineering controls to safely diffuse the light.
4. Emergency and Exit Lighting Audits. During a power failure, adequate lighting saves lives. Ultimately, we audit your emergency lighting systems to ensure they provide sufficient illumination for safe evacuation, keeping you fully compliant with building codes and fire safety regulations.

Build Internal Capability: Master Occupational Risk

Do you want to learn how to identify complex occupational hygiene risks, such as poor lighting, before they cause an incident? OHSA bridges the gap between expert consulting and advanced WHS education.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 31092), we teach the exact risk management frameworks our consultants use in the field. Upgrading your qualifications allows you to manage environmental hazards confidently.

• Diploma of WHS: Gain the advanced skills required to evaluate enterprise-level safety frameworks, manage occupational hygiene reports, and implement physical hazard controls.
• Risk Management Training: Learn how to systematically identify environmental hazards, assess their severity, and apply the hierarchy of controls.

View WHS Risk Management Courses

Industry Insights & Regulatory Standards

To ensure absolute accuracy and legal protection, OHSA bases all lighting surveys on established scientific principles and peak industry standards:

• Standards Australia (AS/NZS 1680): We conduct all interior lighting assessments in strict accordance with the AS/NZS 1680 series, the definitive Australian standard for interior and workplace lighting.
• Safe Work Australia: We align our environmental hazard assessments with national guidelines, as poor lighting is a primary contributor to slips, trips, and falls.
• Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH): Our testing methodologies and professional consulting practices reflect the rigorous ethical and scientific standards championed by the AIOH.
• WorkSafe Queensland: We cross-reference your lighting compliance directly with state-specific WHS legislation to ensure local regulatory protection.
• Optometry Australia: We advocate for proper visual ergonomics to prevent the long-term optical strain and health issues outlined by peak optometry bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is a lux level? Lux is the standard unit of measurement for illuminance. Specifically, it measures the amount of luminous flux (light) spread over a given area. One lux equals one lumen per square metre.
• How often should a workplace lighting survey be conducted? You should conduct a formal lighting survey whenever you renovate a workspace, change the layout of a factory floor, or receive employee complaints about eye strain. Additionally, best practice dictates that you audit your emergency lighting every six months.
• What is the minimum lighting required for an office? According to AS/NZS 1680, general office environments usually require a maintained illuminance of 320 to 400 lux. However, tasks requiring fine detail (like drafting or detailed inspection) may require 600 lux or more.
• Can poor lighting really cause physical injuries? Yes. Beyond causing severe headaches and eye strain, inadequate lighting hides physical hazards. Consequently, it is a leading root cause of slip, trip, and fall incidents, as well as machinery entanglement accidents.