Construction Lights: Shedding Light on Lighting Systems and Safety

Construction workers need to be able to see what they’re doing to work safely and efficiently.

Providing good lighting throughout the day and night will also keep your materials and equipment safe as well as protect the public if your job site is near an area with heavy foot traffic.

Construction Site Lighting Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that construction areas, aisles, stairs, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops, and storage areas where work is happening have either natural or artificial light. OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.56 sets requirements for this lighting, which are measured in foot-candles.

Additionally, your state Department of Transportation has rules for nighttime lighting standards for job sites.

Here are five types of construction lights to consider:

1. Portable light towers feature a generator-powered mast with lights that rotate 360 degrees, illuminating large areas. These towable units are easy to position and ideal for flexible, temporary lighting.
2. High mast lights are better for long-term projects. Poles reaching up to 100 feet carry four to eight lights each, offering broad coverage for large work areas.
3. Balloon lights are ideal for overnight work. These high-intensity lamps are wrapped in a translucent fabric balloon with a reflective coating. This minimizes glare and evenly distributes light over large areas.
4. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and cost-effective. They consume less power, require less maintenance, and can last up to five years in continuous use, making them an increasingly popular choice.
5. Nite lights provide softer lighting with low-watt lamps covered by a diffusing cloth and are useful in areas that need less intense illumination.

Be mindful that some of these options will require a portable generator.

How to Set Up Construction Lights and Systems

The ultimate goal of artificial lighting on your construction site is to keep people safe. Any construction lighting system should strive to:

• Provide excellent visibility for the work that needs to be completed.
• Help workers easily see any potential dangers on the job site.
• Allow people to move around the job site with ease, even during a power outage, storm, or other emergency.

Because of these needs, construction work lights must be configured correctly for your specific site.

• Lights cannot be too bright or cause a glare, making visibility worse for workers instead of better.
• Avoid harsh contrasts. Workers lose visibility if they travel between dark areas and very bright areas.
• Consider maintenance needs, including bulb replacement, when deciding where to position lights. They will need regular care, just like any other piece of equipment on your job site.

Don’t Get Left in the Dark

Whether you need to own or rent construction lights, Yancey Bros. offers the full spectrum of choices plus portable generators to keep them running. Our experienced sales reps can walk you through the options and help you make the best decision for your job site. Get in touch today.