licht.wissen 19 No. "Impact of Light on Human Beings"

<strong>licht</strong>.<strong>wissen</strong> <strong>19</strong>
<strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Light</strong> on Human Beings
Industrial lighting
At machines or on assembly lines, a biologically effective lighting installation provides workplace lighting that
makes industrial workers more alert and more focused. They can sleep better and arrive at work better rested.
That reduces errors and heightens safety during the day.
[48] By simulating the changes in daylight,
circadian lighting has an activating effect at
the beginning <strong>of</strong> the working day and helps
us relax as evening approaches.
[49] Shorter stimulation cycles also make
for a greater sense <strong>of</strong> wellbeing at work. This
dynamic lighting variant entails comparatively
little cost.
[50 – 52] Studies show that the use <strong>of</strong> biologically
effective light in manufacturing promotes
health in the workforce and heightens
productivity. Combining dynamic lighting with
as much daylight as possible makes sense
and saves energy.
Melanopically effective lighting can also
support human circadian rhythms at industrial
work premises. Dynamic lighting with
non-visual effects has an energising impact
in the morning and at mid-day and makes
for a better night’s sleep.
Many people in industry work shifts, having
to get up, for example, very early in the
morning. They <strong>of</strong>ten complain <strong>of</strong> sleeping
badly and being tired during the day. The
result is lower productivity, because workers
who cannot regenerate overnight are
not very efficient during the day. As an
Austrian study in 2010 showed, biologically
effective light helps.
Greater sense <strong>of</strong> wellbeing, better
concentration
The research team chose two dynamic
lighting scenarios for the general lighting: in
both cases, illuminance varied from the
standard 1,000 lux to a biologically effective
2,000 lux at a colour temperature <strong>of</strong>
4,000 kelvin. In the first test set-up, the
doubling <strong>of</strong> the lighting level was clearly
perceptible and implemented at longish intervals
so that the lighting had an activating
effect at the beginning <strong>of</strong> a shift and a
relaxing effect at the end. In an alternative
set-up, the researchers introduced an imperceptible
dynamic brightness cycle with
shorter intervals. The findings show the
positive impacts <strong>of</strong> dynamic room lighting
with non-visual effects:
significantly better quality <strong>of</strong> sleep
greater sense <strong>of</strong> wellbeing during and
after shift work
faster performance <strong>of</strong> assigned tasks.
Shorter cycles also work
In a lab experiment involving 29 test persons,
a programme was then run – also in
2010 – to see if dynamic lighting with a biologically
effective colour temperature <strong>of</strong>
4,000 kelvin also works if the sequence is
speeded up. This type <strong>of</strong> dynamic lighting
entails comparatively little expense because
the illuminance varies and is not
kept at a constant high level for long periods
<strong>of</strong> time.
The lab study showed that light which
gradually increases from 500 to 2,000 lux
and is then imperceptibly lowered to its
original level reduces physiological responses
to stress. More research needs
to be done in this area.
One thing is certain: biologically effective
lighting demonstrably improves quality <strong>of</strong>
sleep, so employees are more active and
motivated during the day. An optimal lighting
level and melanopic lighting are good
for employees’ health and help maintain
their productivity.
Circadian industrial lighting
2,000 lx
1,500 lx
1,000 lx
500 lx
Short stimulation cycles
2,000 lx
1,000 lx
500 lx
48
2 a.m. 6 a.m. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 10 p.m.
8 a.m. 9 a.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. noon
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