Hazardous lighting conditions and worker safety

State-of-the-art flashlight technology may change the way South Carolina workers are protected on the job. Construction industry professionals frequently rely on flashlights to maintain safe working conditions, and new technology has given them a wide range of options to choose from. Hand-held flashlights delivering flood light brightness and lights meant for use in hazardous environments provide numerous safety features to workers.

High lumen technology is a common denominator among many of these new technologies. Some lights deliver extreme brightness of between 500 and 1,100 lumens, which makes it possible to illuminate hazards at a distance. Scene lighting innovations have made it possible to light tight spaces and those in rugged areas, providing a safer environment for workers. USB rechargeable options are easy to charge on the go, preventing battery outage. Headlamp innovations have led to the development of models that fit more comfortably on the wearer’s head and provide many different safety features.

Some work environments make the use of flashlights extremely dangerous due to flammable substances, and they also tend to be dark. Division I safety-rated lights are meant to illuminate such environments without a risk of explosion. The ANSI/UL 783 standard designation makes it clear which lights are safe for use in hazardous locations while the ANSI/UL 913 designation denotes lights safe for general electronic equipment.

Due to the continual advances in safety lighting, employers have more of a responsibility than ever to adopt technology to keep their workers safe. Workers who were injured in a workplace accident that could have been prevented by such technology may want to meet with an attorney to discuss their options for obtaining compensation for the losses that they have sustained.