GENERAL LIGHTING

Lighting in the general work areas must be of a level to enable work to be carried out safely.

A value of 160 lux is recommended for general work areas.

This level should be considered as a minimum value when designing a lighting system. For more complex or intricate tasks, greater levels may be required.

For more information refer to: AS/NZS 1680.2.4:1997 Interior lighting – Industrial tasks and processes, Table E1, part 5 – Building Construction Sites (Interior).

Access and stair lighting

Access and stair lighting is necessary for workers to be able to move around the workplace in a safe manner.

A value of 40 lux is recommended for walkways and access areas.

This level should be considered as a minimum value and in certain circumstances higher levels may be required.

For more information refer to: AS/NZS 1680.2.4:1997 Interior lighting – Industrial tasks and processes, Table E1, part 5 – Building Construction Sites (Interior).

Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting is important to assist workers to exit the workplace in an emergency situation.

Section 2.7 of AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installation – Construction and demolition sites, requires sufficient battery-powered lighting to be installed in stairways, passageways and next to switchboards. This allows for safe access and exit from the area if there is a loss of power and there is not enough natural lighting.

Internally illuminated emergency evacuation signage may be used as part of an existing emergency lighting system. The system of lighting must have battery backup light fittings capable of illuminating the exit signage and provide clear directions for safe exit from the workplace in the event of power failure.

For more information refer to: AS 2293.1-2005 Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for buildings – System design, installation and operation.

AS 2293.1 allows for an internally illuminated exit sign to perform roles of illuminated emergency exit signage and emergency escape luminaire provided that it meets the requirements of both purposes as set out in the standard.

Emergency escape luminaires should be located within 2 metres of the approach side of each doorway requiring an exit sign and located to emphasis potential hazards to people exiting the workplace.

For further guidance on emergency lighting and exit signage, refer to:

Lifts: Section 2.8.3 of AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites also requires minimum emergency lighting levels of 20 lux to allow for safe egress from the lift shaft.

Further considerations

Each workplace is different and PCBUs should ensure minimum recommended levels of lighting are maintained.

MANUAL TASKS IN CONSTRUCTION

Reducing work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and building industry capacity to manage these risks are a priority for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). These were also a priority under the National OHS Strategy 2002–2012 and the current Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022.

Workers' compensation data shows that MSDs continue to be the main serious non-fatal injuries in the construction industry. Approximately a third of serious MSD claims due to hazardous manual tasks such as lifting, carrying or putting down objects. Learn how to prevent MSDs by downloading our:

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , duty holders must manage these risks to health and safety. Duty holders should:

  • identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to the risk
  • eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable
  • if not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, minimise the risk as far as is reasonably practicable by implementing control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of control
  • maintain the control measure so that it remains effective
  • review risk control measures.

When determining control measures to manage hazardous manual task risks, consider:

  • postures, movements, forces, vibration
  • duration and frequency
  • workplace environmental conditions
  • design of work area
  • layout of the workplace
  • systems of work used
  • nature, size, weight or number of persons, animals or things involved