Having the correct lighting is important in the workplace as it can have an affect on how people staff can work and also their health. 

Indoor lighting is not intense as outdoor lighting but can often be missed as we are how we perceive light can be varied from person to person.  This can have a great affect on how efficiently we can work, if light is too dark then sharpness of vision can decrease and eye strain can be caused.

The ideal work place lighting is to have general lighting in the room and then an individual light for each worker.  Many offices have fluorescent lighting, this should not be used on its own as it is not light enough to prevent eye strain.  Additionally it can cause problems with bad posture if squinting is required to see properly. Lighting strips should be perpendicular to the screen on the tables. Ideally lighting per desk should be adjustable for the individual user.  A neutral or warm white light is the ideal choice.  Offices should also have a window to allow daylight into the room. 

If there is a lack of natural daylight it can cause health problems such as sleep disorders, headaches, malaise and depression.  It is important for employees to leave the office during lunch time in order to get the light required.  Additionally it can cause problems with bad posture if squinting is required to see properly.

The amount of recommended light for certain tasks in LUX (Lumens – quality of light per square metre) are as follows:

Work space where visual work is performed only occasionally – 100 LUX

Visual tasks with a high contrast or on a big scale – 300 LUX

Visual tasks with medium contrast or on a small scale – 500 LUX

Visual tasks with low contrast on a small scale – 1000 LUX

It is recommended to wash lights safely every once a while to make sure they are clean and are omitting the maximum amount of light possible.  Replace bulbs regularly as they begin to fade in brightness over time.  It is ideal to paint your offices a light colour in order to help light bounce around the office. 

Good lighting in working areas are often overlooked.  Get more from your work force and assess your lighting.