Workplace lighting

[Mr Whippy]

I get headaches because of the lighting at work.

I've been told I must be a special case, and might need a special eye test

I've resorted to turning the lights off and using lamps in the room instead for those that NEED light on their desk... but obviously this gets retarded comments from some people.


This seems to be a problem in other locations at work where the lighting is the same, but other people just don't whinge as much as I do (I like to go home and work at a computer so having a bad headache when I leave work isn't nice)

Yellow box is the strip of lights.


I've taken incident light levels on my desk (bottom middle), which was 1350lux on the dekstop in front of my screen.
The desk to the far left which sits facing down the light strip, where the strip is only jutting over the work space gives about 925lux.
The opposing desk to me is 1350lux also, as are the others 'facing' the light bar down the middle of the room.

The main issue I have is that the tube lights within the housings are at the perfect angle so that

a, I get un-diffused light right off the lamps themselves
b, the incident angle of the light to my head is such that when looking at my screens I just have a glary halo across the top of my field of vision.


These were newly fitted to 'improve things' but I feel they are just plain wrong and far too bright generally.

I'm certain the ideal desktop light intensity is ~ 700lux tops, so even ignoring all else the intensity feels far too high at near double that.


Using a dome type incident light meter from Maplin...


Any help much appreciated. Having to fight negative people here.

Dave

[rhinochopig]

Give me a min and I'll dig out the recommended levels.

Here's the def-stan data which are in line with civil.
Figures in Lux

50 Interiors used rarely with visual tasks
confined to movement and casual
seeing without perception of detail.
Cable tunnels, indoor storage tanks,
walkways.

100 Interiors used occasionally with
visual tasks confined to movement
and casual seeing calling for only
limited perception of detail.
Corridors, changing rooms, bulk stores,
auditoria.


150 Interiors used occasionally or with
visual tasks not requiring perception
of detail but involving some risk to
people, plant or product.
Loading bays, medical stores, plant
rooms.

200 Interiors occupied for long periods, or
for visual tasks requiring some
perception of detail.
Foyers and entrances, monitoring
automatic processes, casting concrete,
turbine halls, dining rooms.
300 Interiors occupied for long periods, or
when visual tasks are moderately
easy, i.e. large details (greater than 10
min arc) and/or high contrast.
Libraries, sports and assembly halls,
teaching spaces, lecture theatres, packing

500 Visual tasks moderately difficult, i.e.
details to be seen are of moderate size
(5-10 min arc) and may be of low
contrast; also colour judgements may
be required.
General offices, engine assembly,
painting and spraying, kitchens,
laboratories, retail shops.

(1)750 Visual tasks difficult, i.e. details to be
seen are small (3-5 min arc) and of
low contrast; also good colour
judgements or the creation of a well
lit, inviting interior may be required.
Drawing offices, ceramic decoration,
meat inspection, and chain stores.

1000 Visual tasks very difficult, i.e. details
to be seen are very small (2-3 min
arc) and can be of very low contrast;
also accurate colour judgements or
the creation of a well lit, inviting
interior may be required.
General inspection, electronic assembly,
gauge and tool rooms, retouching paint
work, cabinet making, supermarkets.

1500 Visual tasks extremely difficult, i.e.
details to be seen extremely small (1-
2 min arc) and of low contrast;
optical aids and local lighting may be
of advantage.
Fine work and inspection, hand tailoring,
precision assembly.

Edited by rhinochopig on Thursday 3rd February 09:41

ETA for VDU use I tend to work on 300-500 lux.

Edited by rhinochopig on Thursday 3rd February 09:42

[Tsippy]

It could be that you suffer from minor migraines. When they introduced the energy saver bulbs where my girlfriend worked she ended up with a migraine at least once a week, and she was sent to see an occupational therapist (who was pissing useless). However as a result, the company had to position her near a window for fresh air / natural light and they had to dim the lights slightly as well as provide 'tinted glasses' to reduce the glare in the office.

Personally I find that strip lighting and the energy saver bulbs start my migraines so that's why I'm wondering if you may be suffering a similar condition. (which is covered under the disability act)

[Mr Whippy]

Good data there, thanks for that

I could wear tinted glasses, but the glare is literally as if it's coming from my eye-brows.

A capped hat would be the best solution I guess


Just as a side note. I never get/got headaches before. It's these new lights in this specific config that really get to me. Arrive at work, within 30min I can get a headache coming on. Just turned them off now and I'm feeling lots more relaxed. I'm not straining past the glare in my peripheral vision to read my screen.

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Thursday 3rd February 10:00

[CommanderJameson]

Mr Whippy said:

Good data there, thanks for that

I could wear tinted glasses, but the glare is literally as if it's coming from my eye-brows.

A capped hat would be the best solution I guess


Just as a side note. I never get/got headaches before. It's these new lights in this specific config that really get to me. Arrive at work, within 30min I can get a headache coming on. Just turned them off now and I'm feeling lots more relaxed. I'm not straining past the glare in my peripheral vision to read my screen.

Dave

It's your perfect excuse. Wear these all the time:

[trix-a-belle]

One of our offices had this problem when some new lights were installed in really bad/stupid positions. The solutions; a piece of paper, some cellotape & where required some junk cd's.. (yes I know this sounds like blue peter)

The person who was getting too much light & glare on their screen (suffered with headaches anyway) taped a piece of white paper over the offending part of the light to diffuse it, problem solved.
They also found the office plant was not getting anywhere near enough light so 2 junk cd's were carefully taped into position to angle some light in their direction.

Bizarre but it worked, this was with flourescent tubes in a housing with a reflector 'grid' this sort of thing

[Mr Whippy]

trix-a-belle said:

Bizarre but it worked, this was with flourescent tubes in a housing with a reflector 'grid' this sort of thing

They are a similar sort of thing to what we have... I'll post on/off pics tomorrow.

Dave