Product category:
Industrial Vehicle Safety
News Release from: Labcraft | Subject: Commercial vehicle interior lighting
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 April 2005
Free 'light tests' offered for
commercial vehicles
Labcraft is prompting owners and users of commercial vehicles to consider whether the vehicles meet the health and safety guidelines for sufficient interior lighting.
Labcraft is prompting owners and users of commercial vehicles to consider whether the vehicles meet the health and safety guidelines for sufficient interior lighting Unfortunately, it is a frightening fact that most commercial vehicles are fitted with inadequate internal lighting - and, as a result, the risk of an accident occurring is alarmingly high
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Jul 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The term 'commercial vehicle' can encompass almost any vehicle from a small van upwards, and all operators must make it part of their on-going assessment procedure to ensure that they install and maintain sufficient lighting for the safety and welfare of their workforce.
Remember that almost all drivers of commercial vehicles will be carrying out manual handling operations or operations involving the use of 'work equipment'.
For example, a driver of a commercial vehicle may be required to read documents, lift packages, use computers, barcode readers, pallet lifters, trolley cages - the list is endless; and for all of these functions, sufficient lighting within their vehicle should be a prerequisite.
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Commercial transport is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents in British industry.
In 2000/2001 99 people were killed, 2490 were seriously injured and 5857 people sustained injuries which kept them off work for more than three days.
The vast majority of these accidents were preventable.
Falls represent a substantial proportion within the reported statistics and, no doubt, within the given reasons for such accidents, inadequate lighting causing a slip, trip or fall, will have been stated as the cause, or a contributing factor to the accident occurring.
In addition, accidents where crushing, burning by hot liquids, and eye injuries occur, some of these will be attributed to insufficient internal lighting.
So, what is considered 'sufficient' levels of light? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a minimum working light level of 20 lux, although the minimum for factory and loading bays is 100lux.
Light is measured in lux, and is the amount of light over 1m2 with sunlight measuring 10,000lux and moonlight 0.2lux.
On average, 50lux should be recorded in commercial vehicles, yet, shockingly, the light levels in some truck bodies can be as low as 5lux.
At present, most vehicles are lit internally with conventional lights, with one or more incandescent bulbs with a 21W rating.
However, typically light levels can be increased by 5-6 times by installing specifically designed fluorescent lights in the correct positions within the vehicle interior.
It is equally important to ensure that when evaluating lighting levels within truck bodies, that the distribution of light and glare factor are taken into account.
Loading and unloading commercial vehicles can be dangerous.
Dimness or glare may result in poor posture, and the contrast between areas of bright light and deep shadow can cause tripping hazards and hinder the accurate judgement of height and distance.
These statistics may sound alarming, but they are indicative of the fact that, within the transport industry, there appears to be at present 'no perceived problem'.
However, it is vital to ensure that employers aim to install improved lighting in working vehicles, as we all have to be responsible for safe working conditions - do not wait until an accident happens.
Road haulage operators become vulnerable to the possibility of prosecution for a breach under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) if an accident happens.
A plethora of incidents can happen which will find a company or its directors in court, and it is feasible that an accident cause can be linked to insufficient lighting within the vehicle interior.
Commercial vehicle operators need to take steps now to ensure that they provide lighting to minimum HSE standards, or preferably greater - do not wait until it becomes law, be responsible now.
Contact Labcraft now for a free 'light test' and further information on cost-efficient, low-voltage fluorescent lighting for the commercial vehicle industry.
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