CWU briefs its reps on good lighting practice

The CWU communication workers’ union has issued its safety reps with a briefing on workplace lighting after concerns were raised about the quality of lighting in some Royal Mail offices.

It points out that Regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires every workplace to have suitable and sufficient lighting – which should be natural lighting, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Lighting should be “sufficient to allow people to work, use facilities and move from place to place safely and without experiencing eye strain”, the guidance says – but “dazzling lights and annoying glare should be avoided”. Stairs should be well lit, and local lighting should be provided at “places of particular risk” and individual workstations where necessary.

The briefing also cites the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers’ Code for interior lighting, which sets out recommended lighting levels for a variety of situations.

The CWU is promoting the testing of alternative lighting systems at Royal Mail and wants new standards updated over the next year.