It will probably come as no surprise to anyone if we say that you can't work properly in low light. So, adequate lighting for different workstations, factories and halls is a very important issue, and adequate lighting is needed to perform a visual task effectively and accurately. But what makes adequate lighting?
Right lighting conditions = higher productivity
Generally speaking, in the area of work to create lighting conditions that reduce eye strain, fatigue and clarity of activity.
The aim is to achieve a nearly uniform level of illumination of the room or area.
The more diffuse the lighting, the less the light is directed, the more difficult it is to perceive space. A strong incidence of light from a particular direction (such as a window) is a prerequisite for proper shadow formation.
But if the light is too bright, deep shadows can form that obscure some of the objects that are important for orientation and therefore pose an accident hazard.
Studies have shown that stronger lighting in the workplace leads to better performance, lower fatigue levels and therefore less absenteeism and much less absenteeism. Adequate light also reduces the error rate and the risk of accidents at work. risk equally. As a result of long-term research, German researchers have found that a typical industrial workplace has a luminous intensity of 600 lux as a guide.
Planning is important
The lighting of workplaces must be planned, taking into account:
- the design and orientation of the work area;
- the direction and amount of natural light;
- the possible location of luminaires;
- the size and surface of the walls, furniture, tools used and the work area due to the expected shine, colour.
The relevant legislation
Workplace lighting in Hungary is regulated by the 3/2002 (II. 8.) Joint Decree of the SzCsM-EüM contains rules. Article 8 of the Regulation provides that. „where possible, workplaces should provide sufficient natural light for healthy and safe work and artificial lighting appropriate to the nature and conditions of the work.” The terms „as far as possible” and „appropriate” do not get us any closer, the exact values are given in the national standard referred to in the Regulation, which „the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the lighting” is determined by.
This referenced national standard - updated in 2022 - is the MSZ EN 12464, the first part (12464-1) of which specifies requirements for indoor workplaces and the second part (12464-2) for outdoor workplaces.
Our standard is a European standard and ISO 8995-1:2002 is used in a similar form as an ISO standard worldwide. As the standards are reviewed every five years, this revision is also underway.
Because the degree of visibility and comfort required at each workplace depends on the type of activity and its duration, the standard sets out quality and quantity requirements for light and lighting in separate tables for each industry or sector of activity.
