Jane Embry, the Marketing Director of Wrightstyle has been looking at the light used in workplaces around the UK. Looking at the light available in work spaces was undertaken as the USE marked Workplace Eye Wellness Month, which occurred early this year. It is thought that that all workers should be well informed and aware about eyesight issues.

Workplace Eye Wellness Month was marked by the USA in March and the purpose of the campaign was to raise awareness of eye strain and injuries that can occur due to inadequate lighting. The campaign wanted to demonstrate the different thigs that could be done to alter lighting to be more beneficial and other thing that can be done by employers and employees in order to protect their eyesight. The campaign also focused on building design and the significant impact that can have on lighting.

Building design has adapted over the years in order to accommodate working with computers and screens through raised floors and open spaces. However, the lighting of these buildings has changes little since office work was all paper based, despite the need for change as overhead lighting can reflect off screens and other surface and enter the workers eyes and cause a strain. A significant number of office workers have noted eye strain as a serious hazard while a work.

Regulations state that the employer must supply satisfactory lighting and create an appropriate contrast between the screen and background while taking in to account the type of work as well as the visual requirements for the role. Employers are also required to reduce the possibility for glare from the screens through the positioning of the space. Sick Building Syndrome has been introduced to cover any illness that has been caused by the buildings that we work in. It has been found that there is a correlation between Sick Building Syndrome and lighting. It is thought that lack of daylight is one of the most important contributors to the Syndrome.