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Lighting up for safety on site

Night time construction has many benefits - including convenience, public safety and a cooler work environment - but in order to build in the dark, you need to have a comprehensive lighting plan.


Let’s take a closer look at the various portable lighting requirements on different types of construction sites and find out what’s required.

Working at night - a different site experience

There are many good reasons for your construction site to operate at night, and sometimes you may not even have a choice. Roadworks, office renovations and building projects involving government or research facilities often take place at night, because the facilities provide essential services and can’t stop operating during the day. Without having to deal with building users, traffic problems and daytime heat, your construction crew may find it easier to get the job done at night - as long as they can see what they are doing.

There are three levels of lighting that your site may need at night - let’s take a look at each one, along with the lighting setup that it requires.

Level 1 lighting - covering the basics

Projects like standard road grading and lower-precision tasks don’t require intense lighting, but construction crews must be able to move around and use their equipment in safety.This type of project requires mobile lighting of at least 50 lux (lumens per square foot). It can usually be achieved using spotlights, balloon lights, and smaller mobile lamps.

Level 2 lighting - lighting up the spaces in between

The second level of lighting is designed to make equipment safe and easy to use. It requires 100 lux of luminous intensity.The dark areas around construction equipment and driveable vehicles are danger zones where accidents can easily occur - by lighting them up, you’ll avoid injuries or equipment downtime.

Level 3 lighting - intense light for detailed work

Paving, filling cracks, and electrical installations are just some of the intricate tasks that require excellent lighting. A project that involves detailed work will require level three lighting at a minimum of 200 lux.

Lighting tips for maximum efficiency

  • Choose your lighting type - LED lights are easy to maintain, while metal halide lights require a little more care but provide excellent brightness.
  • Cover your bases - first light the important areas of your site, and then do an inspection to determine what areas need extra lighting.
  • Light from multiple angles - by lighting an area using multiple lights, you’ll prevent workers and equipment from casting shadows that disrupt visibility.

If you need more information on construction site lighting options, then contact us today. Our team is on hand to advise you on solutions that will suit your site exactly.