How Do Lighting and Security Reduce Job Site Accidents?

A person can be injured in countless ways, from plane crashes to sports collisions. But did you know that in 2021, 36,736 job injuries were reported by the Canadian federal jurisdiction? Out of these, 16,342 (44.5%) were disabling injuries, 44 (0.1%) were fatal injuries, and 20,350 (55.4%) were minor injuries.

This blog post will discuss why job site lighting matters and how job site lights and security cameras can help lower job site accidents. According to one study, better lighting on the job site can lower job site accidents by up to 60%, which could mean a difference for the employees who work in these critical conditions, putting their lives at risk.

Construction Sites are harder to navigate with poor lighting. It can also mess up operations around complex or dangerous machinery. It increases the chances of accidents or collisions and generally screws up anyone trying to do any work that requires a lot of concentration at a job site.

Every job that uses heavy equipment prioritizes productivity and safety. As a site manager, you can not afford to compromise your workers’ safety, and lighting is very important to keep a construction site safe and secure. Proper lighting helps lone workers see clearly, which reduces the risk of job site accidents and makes it easier to identify potential hazards.

Picture yourself in the park at night playing tag, and it is dark, and you have a hard time where you run. You could trip on a rock or ram into a tree somewhere and get hurt. It would be somewhat like a construction site worker in low light. There are many reasons for the accidents that happen in construction industries, and how lighting and security may be able to provide some help to prevent these job site accidents.

Some of the most common serious injuries happening at job sites are:

In dark or poorly lit conditions, tools, cords, or even a step in the ground can easily cause an employee to trip, compromising their safety. These falls can lead to sprained ankles from twisting an ankle on an unseen obstacle or more serious falls that might result in fractures, broken bones, or other serious injuries that can take a long time to heal.

Poor lighting can make sharp edges and objects much more dangerous, as workers may not see them in time to avoid injury. Without clear visibility, workers are at risk of accidentally cutting themselves with sharp tools, leading to serious injuries. Additionally, poor lighting can cause workers to bump into machinery or materials, which can result in painful bruises.

Working in low light makes the eyes work harder, which can result in eye strain symptoms such as headaches, intermittent or constant blurred vision, aching, and discomfort. It can also lead to fatigue, which in turn causes workers to be less able to think clearly and are at greater risk of job site accidents as they are more likely to make mistakes.

Workers may suffer crush injuries if machinery or vehicles are moving and they simply cannot be seen in a dark area, or dimly-lit area. Since they are not visibly clear, parts of the machines can come in contact with hands, feet, or other body parts. Worst of all, restricted vision can cause fatal job site accidents, leaving no room for survivors to be buried under heavy machines.

Worker safety is a critical issue in any industry, but it is more important, specifically in the construction industry. Security cameras and lighting are two key strategies to improve safety protocols at your job site. Following these rules can decrease the probability of job site accidents to such an extent that these measures create a safer workplace.

Below are some of the reasons for improving lighting at your job site:

Workers who can see well are less likely to miss hazards, which will help them avoid fall protection and other hazards in the future. Paths and well-lit work areas should be safer, as more hazards, such as obstructions or changes in floor levels, can be seen to help reduce the chance of trips and falls. Adequate lighting can also help you do precision work more easily, reducing the chances of causing mistakes and serious injuries.

Adequate lighting and security cameras deter theft and vandalism, protecting valuable equipment and materials. Knowing that the site is monitored discourages potential intruders from engaging in criminal activities. This not only safeguards assets but also contributes to a sense of security among workers, who can focus on their tasks without worrying about the safety of their tools and equipment.

In case of an unfortunate event or job site accident, security cameras provide a valuable record of what happened at the worksite. Reviewing this footage enables analyzing the event’s cause and evolving plans to prevent similar events from happening in the future.

Proper lighting is important during emergencies. In an evacuation, well-lit exit routes enable workers to leave the worksite quickly and safely. Security cameras can help emergency responders by providing real-time information about the situation, helping them locate and assist injured workers more quickly.

Proper lighting and surveillance can help meet industry safety standards and regulatory requirements. Compliance with these regulations not only avoids legal penalties but also demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a safe workplace for your workers. Regularly updating and maintaining lighting and security systems ensures that the job site adheres to the latest safety guidelines.

Light fixtures come in many designs for construction sites’ outdoor lighting. Choosing the right fixtures that make sure that your construction site is appropriately lit is a really difficult task for many business owners.

Here are some of the most commonly used light fixtures that you can choose from for your job site:

Light towers are mobile light sources with one or more high-intensity electric lamps mounted on a pole. They can be quickly installed and repositioned for short-term lighting in construction sites, parking lots, and other outdoor locations. These towers can be set up with a big light or multiple small ones to ensure good illumination, but it’s important to watch out for shadows and maintain visibility.However, they only function when the machine is running, which means some stationary work areas might not be covered.

High mast lights are tall fixtures used to extend work hours at night or in low-light conditions by lighting up large areas evenly, which helps keep projects moving forward. These lights often use energy-saving LEDs to reduce shadows and improve workers’ visibility. However, they can be expensive to buy and install, and maintaining them can be challenging because of their height and location.

Balloon lights are a great choice for construction sites because they are quiet and do not produce emissions. They give off a soft, diffused light that doesn’t glare, creating a comfortable and safe work environment for site workers. These lights are compact and easy to move around. They can be used on their own or attached to construction equipment. Unlike tower lights that focus light in one spot, balloon lights can be adjusted to illuminate specific areas, making them very flexible and easy to use.

Equipment-mounted lights are attached to different types of machinery to illuminate the area around them, improving visibility and safety by directing light toward the work area. This helps workers see better and work more accurately. These lights stay stable and aligned with the equipment, especially in low-light conditions. However, they only work when the equipment is running, so their light might not cover all stationary work areas.

Having adequate lighting on your construction sites is very important and comes with many advantages. It helps to lower the chances of theft, job site accidents, and vandalism. When the area is well-lit, workers can easily see what they’re doing and their surroundings, which helps prevent job site accidents like tripping, slipping, and falling. Good lighting also improves the quality of surveillance footage from security cameras, making it easier to keep an eye on the site and collect clear evidence if something goes wrong at the job site.

By making potential hazards more visible, workers can work in a safer work environment. Proper lighting is important for safe operations at night or in dim conditions, allowing lone workers to continue working safely even after dark. Furthermore, well-lit areas make it easier for emergency responders to find their way quickly, leading to faster and more effective responses in case of emergencies.

We have selected five models of CCTV cameras from Avigilon and Axis that are best suited for construction site security.

Some of the best CCTV Cameras for your job site are:

Avigilon H5A Explosion camera is designed to operate in hazardous environments with a risk of explosion or fire. It offers 6 MP resolution, adaptive IR illumination, self-learning video analytics, and FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption. It is also certified by various international standards for explosion protection.

Axis Q62125 is a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera that can cover large areas with a single device. It offers 2 MP resolution, 30x optical zoom, built-in IR LEDs, video analytics, and electronic image stabilization. It is also IP66/IP68 rated for water and dust resistance.

Avigilon H5SL is a versatile and cost-effective camera that can be used for various applications on construction sites. It offers up to 5 MP resolution, wide dynamic range, IR illumination, video analytics, and cloud connectivity. It is also easy to install, with a modular design.

Axis P3737 is a panoramic camera can provide 360-degree coverage from a single vantage point. It offers 15 MP resolution, four varifocal lenses, built-in IR LEDs, video analytics, and Zipstream technology. It is also IP66-rated for water and dust resistance.

This H4 thermal camera can detect the heat signatures of objects and people in any lighting condition. It offers up to 640×480 resolution, an uncooled microbolometer sensor, video analytics, and temperature alarm capabilities. It is also IP66-rated for water and dust resistance.

EGT Builders is one of Canada’s top construction companies that had been facing lighting and security management challenges that resulted in theft and vandalism at their construction sites. This lack of outdoor lighting and security not only led to direct financial losses of approximately $150,000 through stolen materials and equipment but also delayed project timelines, adding indirect costs due to downtime and rescheduling. The primary issues were insufficient outdoor lighting, which made the sites attractive to trespassers and difficult to monitor, an inadequate CCTV system with limited coverage and storage capacity, and frequent power outages that disrupted lighting and security measures.

After experiencing 15 incidents, EGT Builders hired spotter security for a comprehensive lighting solution. Spotter Security was hired to develop and implement an energy-efficient solution for lighting and security to address these challenges effectively. After evaluating the site conditions, Spotter Security chose an integrated system that combined advanced lighting and robust security measures, improving site safety, ensuring the continuity of their projects, and protecting their business operations overall. Within the first quarter following implementation, incidents of theft and vandalism decreased by over 75%, and significantly enhanced the physical security of EGT Builders’ sites, and contributed to a more stable and predictable project management environment.

A good security provider will ensure sufficient lighting when securing a construction site, providing a safe working environment for workers and preventing workplace hazards. Proper lighting is essential for safety and visibility and enhances the effectiveness of security measures, including Security cameras and surveillance. Investing in lighting and security can make a significant difference in your safety protocols and provide peace of mind.

If you are looking to install security cameras for your business in Canada, contact Spotter Security for a reliable solution. With over 20 years of experience, Spotter Security has the expertise to protect businesses across various industries, such as construction, warehousing, commercial plazas, retail stores, and Parking lots. We understand your business’s unique threats and how to defend against them effectively. For lighting and security systems installation or professional monitoring, consider hiring a security service provider to help you design the system according to your business needs.