Construction Lighting: Challenges and Solutions

More and more people are undertaking construction projects with short deadlines. This means a lot of construction work happens even after sunset. Whether it’s a small site with a handful of workers or a big undertaking involving many people, safety should always be a priority on a site. Take time to plan, arrange and implement adequate lighting. There are some specific requirements in this regard, but there are various ways to meet those criteria.

At RECO Equipment, we know that sometimes work just has to carry on even after natural light is unavailable. That’s why we offer a wide range of solutions to your construction lighting challenges. 

Read on to learn more about construction lighting, then head on to one of our locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana to check out some quality construction equipment for sale.

Challenges of Construction Lighting

When you have efficient lighting at a construction site, you greatly reduce the risk of accidents. When it gets dark, workers and equipment operators have a hard time being able to see clearly enough. When they’re less aware of their surroundings, they’re more likely to make some unfortunate contact with that environment in a non-work-friendly way. One of the best ways to safeguard your worksite is to make sure it’s properly lit.

Lighting Requirements

Your construction lighting needs will change according to your specific environment. However, there are certainly a few general requirements to keep in mind when planning and implementing your setup of choice. Consult OSHA standards to see if there are any specific regulations that apply to you. 

At a minimum, a construction site must be illuminated with artificial lighting when daylight isn’t sufficient. At the same time, there should not be extra glare, excessive heat, and it shouldn’t get in the way of the ability to easily maneuver around the site. The construction lighting shouldn’t change or influence the color of sign postings or otherwise hamper standard safety precautions.

Metal halide lights can create harsh shadows and are often too bright for workers as they create a lot of glare; so even though they meet OSHA standards for safe lighting some people choose to opt for fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Unfortunately, though these give off less glare, they’re known to make a place hotter. Plus, keeping the bulbs operating is labor-intensive.

Traditional Lighting vs. LEDs

Many businesses have turned to LEDs provide great illumination with fewer drawbacks (found in traditional lighting). There are still many construction sites that use traditional lighting to get their projects completed on time. You can choose to use traditional lights, but be aware of their drawbacks. The biggest con is the short life, which means bulbs have to be replaced almost constantly. They also eat up a greater amount of energy. You need to pay greater attention to maintenance if you’ve chosen traditional lights. 

LEDs wipe away these drawbacks to provide superior quality, extended lifetime, minimal maintenance, as well as reducing total energy cost. LEDs are more expensive upfront, but the savings over time will make up for it if you’re working under artificial light quite often. For bigger projects you should look into LEDs, while on a smaller and shorter project, traditional lighting may suffice. 

We hope this guide helps you have great construction lighting on your site. For more information or to check out some construction equipment for sale, head to RECO Equipment at one of our dealerships in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.