Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist*
AS AUTHORIZED BY THE PA SUPREME COURT

Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist*
AS AUTHORIZED BY THE PA SUPREME COURT

Lighting and workers’ compensation

Different factors can cause work-related injuries. Thus, you don’t need to be exposed to hazardous elements or perform heavy duties to be involved in a workplace accident. Disregarded factors like lighting can lead you to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Here is how this can happen:

Too little light

Offices with too little light force employees to strain their eyes, which can lead to headaches and fatigue. It can be challenging to work in a space with dim lights, especially if you depend on artificial lighting the whole day (offices that don’t get natural light, such as those in basements).

Further, poor lighting can affect an employee’s mental health. One may develop stress sitting in an office with too little light for hours, straining to do simple things.

Thus, prolonged exposure to poor lighting can have significant effects on an employee’s health.

Too much light

Too much light in an office can cause eye problems in the long run. Additionally, too much brightness from artificial light can result in excessive glare or reflection on an employee’s screen, which can lead to headaches and stress. 

Poorly distributed lights

When lights are poorly distributed, some parts of a workplace will be dark. This is especially common in large areas, such as a warehouse. An employee walking in a poorly lit area is bound to get into an accident. They may trip on objects on the floor or can fall down the stairs.

What should employers do?

Lighting is crucial in the workplace. Employers should pay attention to the type of lights they install, brightness levels of the lights and how they are distributed. They should also consider sun glare and employ protective measures.

If you are injured by the lights at your work, it will help to obtain more information about your case to make the right moves.