Lighting

• 15.04.2015
• 10:17

Proper illumination is important to avoid eye problems, headaches and tears in the shoulders and neck. Illumination shall contribute to the prevention of injuries and accidents. It is important that the light source does not blend and that it is located on the correct spot.

The workplace must have good overall illumination and possibly spotlighting if precision work is to be carried out on site.
Overall illumination can advantageously be indirectly (up-light) to avoid problems with reflexes. 
In order to achieve a balance in the illumination of work area and the surroundings, you must select the correct light fittings and location. Dark surfaces require greater brightness, and blending of light and dark surfaces can cause unfortunate illumination conditions between workfields and surroundings. It is also important that the fluorescent lamps have the same color, color rendering and brightness.

Illumination of different areas on the vessel

Engine room/Workshops

Light fittings and lamps should be easy to clean and maintain. Avoid blinding and reflection from materials and work surfaces by placing the light fittings appropriately at the work place. Reflection occurs if the light fitting is placed directly above a work desk with a reflecting surface.

Control room/Office

The strength and direction of illumination should be adjustable. It should be fitted where it does not glare or reflect in desks or computer screens.

Bridge

Choose illumination that is adjustable for daylight and darkness. In daylight, brighter illumination is normally necessary. It is important to have good vision 24 hours a day. Incandescent lighting, which enables dimming, gives adjustable and pleasant illumination. Place the lamps so that they do not give annoying reflections or glare on desk tops and various computer screens, the radar screen, etc. Make sure you position the illumination so it does not shine on vertical surfaces or dazzle people. This will result in distracting reflections in the windows and reduced vision.

Galley

Light fittings should be built into the ceiling, if possible fitted directly above the front edge of the work bench in order to reduce reflection and glare on the surface of the work bench. The light fittings should be easy to clean.

Mess

Illumination should be pleasant and should not dazzle. Incandescent or halogen illumination are better at reproducing colors, and are recommended. Fixed table lamps or built-in ceiling lights are recommended.

Indoor corridors

Place illumination either lower than eye-height or built into the ceilings in order to prevent dazzle. If the illumination is built into the ceiling, it would be wise to place the light fittings to one side of the ceiling (not in the middle). This way, the corridors will be lit asymmetrically, which gives less dazzle. It is important that the illumination is not too bright in corridor areas. This may easily result in unconsciously increasing the level of illumination in adjacent rooms, so that they do not seem too dark compared to corridors. Recommended level of illumination is between 50 and 100 lux.

Outdoor lighting

Here, light fittings which cast the light downwards should be chosen, and they should be placed below eye-level to avoid dazzle.

Source: Seahealth.dk