Work Zone Lighting

Work zone lighting prevents injuries by providing light to make workers visible to equipment operators, motorists, and other workers.


Risks Addressed:

Dark or dimly lit work areas create a risk to workers. Worker injuries and fatalities are increased when adequate lighting conditions are unavailable. Many factors must be considered when planning for nighttime construction work, including the location of the work site, the surrounding environment, number of workers present, effect of nearby traffic, and the type of work being performed. Work zone lighting lighting can be used to provide the optimal amount of light (illuminance) for construction areas creating a safer work environment.

Injury and death rates of workers are steadily increasing for roadside work zone areas. Unfamiliarity with the area, reduced visibility, traffic congestion and distractions are likely the cause of these accidents (Berces). According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH, from 2003-2007, 639 workers were killed in road side construction related accidents. The number of worker injuries and deaths in the U.S. caused by insufficient lighting continues to increase. The CDC has recognized that work zone standards need to be improved (CDC, 2013).

Increased traffic congestion, lane closures, daytime road work increase the risk of accidents for both motorists and road-side workers. Evening and nighttime work solves traffic congestion issues, but creates problems of low visibility as decreased illuminance results in unsafe conditions (CDC, 2013). To reduce the risk for injury due to low visibility, work zones should be provided with adequate lighting to illuminate the work area. Tower lights are commonly used to solve this problem but may produce glare which becomes another risk factor causing decreased visibility to drivers and workers. A relatively new form of tower lighting, known as balloon lighting, is another option that significantly reduces glare, while still providing sufficient illuminance (Hassan, 2010). Balloon lighting units deliver 360 degree illumination without hot points so workers can look directly at the balloon without straining their eyes.


How Risks are Reduced:

These lighting units reduce the risk of injuries and accidents by helping to ensure that adequate lighting is provided in work zones. Using trailer mounted lights, light towers, or balloon lighting will greatly increase awareness of surroundings and create an easier work environment in which to maneuver. Selection of the amount of light to provide should also give consideration to the amount of surrounding light.  If the work zone is in a location where there is little or no background light (e.g., a rural work zone), then a lower amount of light will be needed than if the work zone is in a location where there is much surrounding light (e.g., an urban area).  In an urban area, the additional light provided by the temporary work zone lighting should make the workers and work area stand out from the background lighting. Workers should still be observant of their surroundings and exit any work areas that do not seem safe until the problem is corrected.

Availability

Wanco Light Tower
To obtain information, visit Wanco, Inc. or contact 1-800-972-0755

Allmand Portable Light Tower - Night-Lite PRO II V-Series
To obtain information, visit Allmand Brothers, Inc. or contact 1-800-562-1373 salesdept@allmand.com

NIOSH Workplace Solutions Sheet
The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a series of “Workplace Solutions”, which are easy-to-understand recommendations from NIOSH research results. Related to this Construction Solution, please find more information on: Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Backing Construction Vehicles and Equipment at Roadway Construction Worksites

Baldor Light Tower
To obtain information, visit Baldor Electric Company or contact 1-479-646-4711

Multiquip LT6D Light Tower
To obtain information, visit Multiquip, Inc. or contact 1-310-537-3700 sales@multiquip.com

Traffic Safety Warehouse Light Tripod
To obtain information, visit Traffic Safety Warehouse or contact 1-877-966-1018 Sales@TrafficSafetyWarehouse.com