Construction Site Lighting: The Challenges And The Solutions

Every construction site needs the proper lighting. Whether it's day or night, workers need to be able to clearly see the area. Otherwise, they won't be able to safely control construction equipment or safely move about the site. 

But properly lighting the work area isn't as simple as setting up an extra lamp or two. Keep reading to discover the challenges, and solutions, of construction site lighting. If you have any questions or want to explore construction equipment for sale, visit Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County.

The Importance Of Construction Site Lighting

Construction site lighting is a key safety issue. As visibility decreases, accident risk increases. Workers won't be able to see the area as clearly, which makes it harder to spot obstacles and threats. This can result in expensive construction equipment damage, worksite damage, or even injury. On a less severe level, compromised visibility can also reduce productivity and output. It's not hard to see why construction site lighting is so important!

The Challenge Of Construction Site Lighting

At bare minimum, the lighting options need to meet OSHA standards. But that alone isn't enough. The lighting solutions need to work well for the specific construction site and not make safe operation of construction equipment harder. Not all lighting solutions will be good ones.

The various options can cause problems, such as:

• Creating extra glare
• Generating excessive heat
• Impeding the construction equipment's ability to easily navigate the work area
• Changing the color of sign postings or otherwise making them harder to see

In the above cases, lighting can solve one issue (visibility) while creating other bothersome issues. The main challenge with construction site lighting is finding a solution that doesn't create more problems.

The Solutions For Construction Site Lighting

There are a few OSHA approved options to consider. The right one for your site will depend on many factors, such as your budget, how much extra lighting you need, and the size of the work area.

First, there are metal halide lights. These produce an impressive amount of light. In fact, they can actually be too bright for workers and create too much glare. They can also create large shadows that hurt visibility.

Next, there are fluorescent and incandescent options. These produce plenty of light, but usually generate less glare. But they can produce a high amount of heat, which can take its toll on nearby workers. They also can be a bit more high maintenance.

Finally, there are LED options. This approach offers many key benefits, making it an appealing option compared to traditional lighting.

LEDs offer:

• A longer lifespan. LEDs can burn for longer periods of time. Enjoy fewer bulb replacements, which saves you money as well as time.
• Improved quality. This option offers better quality, which makes it easier to meet lighting needs.
• Reduced maintenance. You won't need to spend as much time keeping the bulbs operating.
• Reduced energy costs. These bulbs burn less energy, which saves you money.

It is important to note that LEDs cost more upfront. But they do cost less in the long run. You'll spend less on replacement bulbs and on energy costs, making LEDs a wiser financial investment (especially for those who will need construction site lighting often).

We hope you found this guide useful! For more advice or to shop construction equipment for sale, visit Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County. Our friendly staff are happy to help with anything you need. We can provide equipment price quotes, go over rental options, or service your existing equipment. Whatever you need, you can find with us! We run dealerships throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. Visit your nearest location today!