4 Reasons Poor Lighting is a Bigger Problem Than You Think

1. It can cause accidents
Many factories and distribution centers require employees to work with potentially dangerous tools and machinery. This equipment can cause serious damage to people or inventory if it malfunctions or is mishandled.

MacroAir regional sales manager Mike Post has more:

If you have people working in that space who are packing boxes, inspecting product when it comes in from a vendor, counting items, etc., having that dark spot could create mistakes. They could overlook damage. They could put the wrong number of parts in a box. There's a lot that could happen if it's dark underneath a fan.

2. It affects eye health
While an employee's eyesight might not be permanently damaged, if lighting is poor in your workplace it could force them to strain their eyes to do their work. According to Canada's Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, poor lighting can not only strain the ocular system but also cause tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulder areas when employees use awkward physical postures to see.

3. It negatively affects the bottom line
Your business depends on staff being able to do their jobs effectively. Workers must maintain a certain level of output so that orders can be shipped or products can be created at a sufficient rate.

Poor lighting slows down productivity because employees aren't able to work fast when they can't see well. While it might not cause any immediate impacts, if you don't address a lighting problem quickly, the sustained effect on your productivity can lead to a drop in revenue that upper management will notice.

4. It can violate OSHA regulations
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Standard Number 1926.56 sets out guidelines for how much light is required in different kinds of workplace areas, from warehouses and corridors to equipment rooms and carpentry shops. These illumination guidelines are in foot-candles, which is the amount of light provided by one candle in one square foot. Today, a more common measurement is lumens per square foot. No matter how you measure lighting in your building, if it's not sufficient for your employees to see clearly, you could be subject to a violation of OSHA guidelines.

How a top HVLS fan can solve poor lighting issues
The best HVLS fans either come with their own onboard lighting or can be integrated into your existing system without causing any strobing. Mike Post explains why strobing can cause an unexpected problem in your space:

If you make a decision that you want HVLS fans in your facility, there's a very good possibility that the HVLS fan is going to rotate underneath at least one light in your building. That is going to cause strobing, especially if you have metal halide lights.

If you have a need for improved lighting in your facility and also want more control over the climate in your space, think about installing an HVLS fan with an onboard light to help you maintain an environment that is both safe and comfortable for your staff.

More Info: http://macroairfans.com