Lighting ergonomics is the relationship between the light source and the individual. Lighting Ergonomics can help prevent the development of syndromes like Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) – Which is a condition that includes blurred vision, headaches, neck pain, itchy eyes, and trouble sleeping among other symptoms.
Examples of poor lighting include:
- Glare
- Flicker
- Insufficient light
- Poor distribution of light
- Improper contrast
Effects Of Poor Lighting Ergonomics
- Low productivity
- High human error rates
- Inability to match or select the correct colors
- Eyestrain
- Headache
- Low employee morale
Three Key Elements Of Lighting Ergonomic
- Placement: Poor lighting placement can result in glares which are not good for the eye. Indirect lighting fixtures that bounce light off walls or ceilings are ergonomically preferable to traditional down lighting since they eliminate a big source of glare.
- Intensity and contrast: Ambient lighting that is too dim causes squinting and straining, while lights that are too bright wash out screens making them difficult to read.
- Color temperature: A cooler color temperature closer to daylight may provide better overall lighting for tasks involving detailed work. The range of colors of light from red to blue, measured in degrees Kelvin (K), ranges from about 2400K for “warm” or yellowish incandescent lights to 5000K for “cool” fluorescent lights and upwards to 6500K for a typical LCD monitor.
In conclusion, lighting can be said to be ergonomically okay when it is well positioned and has adequate intensity and contrast with adequate color temperature.
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