Lighting levels for night workers?

A_new_Start_2

Hi.
I work 10pm til 6am in a major supermarket, which is closed to the public overnight.
The lights are lowered just after 11 but lately certain areas of the shop have been lowered even further or even off.
As we have to read codes off a label and match to codes on shelves all night, it is causing a real strain to the eyes.
It has been mentioned to our staff council meeting but they just say that it's fine. But they don't have to work in the dark for 39 hours a week!
Is there any law on light levels or is it just guidance? If someone could point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful.
Back in work tonight so I won't be back to answer any questions until tomorrow.
Thanks

ohreally

Have a read through http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=51183401&postcount=3

Errata

I appreciate your difficulty, but you have a really interesting problem. Thinking about it, nurses work in very low light levels during the night, and I think air traffic controllers do as well - there may be other occupations that require people to work in low light levels.
Having said that, it seems absurd if your company is expecting you to read labels when the light level is too low to read them accurately. How many mistakes is the problem causing?

ohreally

A_new_Start wrote: »

It has been mentioned to our staff council meeting but they just say that it's fine.

What qualifications do the hold to make that determination?

Ask them to provide their assesements and technical data used to reach that conclusion. Ask what the levels should be and what they actually are.

A_new_Start_2

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at the link after some sleep!

No qualifications needed at work to make decisions that don't affect you! It's all about money, saving as much as they can, however they can.

Unfortunately I don't really feel like I could challenge any decision because jobs are quite hard to come by round here when you have no qualifications. There is however a union, which I'm not a member of, so once I know the facts I can pass on the info to the rep and maybe the lights can be switched back on again.

Thanks again for replying.

getmore4less

There are ways to fix the problem,

As has been said there are other workers that work in low light levels like nurses but they will have workstations where light levels can be set to make sure hte work is done acurately.
Issues

H&S, eye stain and other things like trip hazzards if stocking in low light

Accuracy of work if difficulty in reading label codes etc.

IF the relevent labels cannot be taken to a place of decent light then decent light needs to be taken to the label.

I would look at head torches or other portable lighting that can be attached to stock cages to give localized lighing in the work area.

look up portable workights they are available for under £10 with magnets and hooks, the sort of thing for working under cars or camping.

headlights the ones used by cyclists might be an option. some are built into safety head gear. allthough something designed as a worklight may give better light closer than a cyclist one.

maybe this might have something

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg38.pdf

Errata

A_new_Start wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at the link after some sleep!

No qualifications needed at work to make decisions that don't affect you! It's all about money, saving as much as they can, however they can.

Unfortunately I don't really feel like I could challenge any decision because jobs are quite hard to come by round here when you have no qualifications. There is however a union, which I'm not a member of, so once I know the facts I can pass on the info to the rep and maybe the lights can be switched back on again.

Thanks again for replying.

Unless you have some moral or religious reason for not belonging to the union, join it and let it fight your battles for your.

paddyrg

I bought a torch for £2 inc batteries the other day - perhaps something like that could help?

Edit - 10 keyring LED torches inc batteries about £3 delivered http://dx.com/p/black-flashlight-keychain-22000mcd-10-pack-1253

getmore4less

Another option might be magnifying glasses with lights, if the labels are small.


there are also clip on lights for glasses if you allready wear them.

ohreally

The regulations are clear and unambiguous...

Lighting
8.—(1) Every workplace shall have suitable and sufficient lighting.

The duty is placed on the employer, its not advice its a requirement.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/3004/regulation/8/made

A_new_Start_2

Thanks again for all the replies.
I do feel that it is the duty of the company I work for to provide suitable lighting to enable me to do my job.
I will read through the HSE info first then have a word with the union rep when I see them next. I might even think about joining!!