Opinion
Transportable lighting in the fuel industry
Workplace safety
For decision-makers in the fuel industry, workplace safety must always be the top priority. Settings, such as storage facilities, distribution points and depots, can be extremely hazardous and warrant appropriate respect.
The industry already pays plenty of attention to many areas of health and safety on site, with access, hygiene and cleanliness all in the spotlight. It is clear that firms appreciate the importance of providing safe passage for workers and vehicles, keeping facilities hygienic and cleaning up fuel spillages. However, not everyone is aware of the impact that a lighting strategy can have on health and safety.
One such consideration is transportable lighting which can be unplugged and moved around and has a critical role to play.
In a hazardous environment, such as a slippery fuel tank, it is imperative that workers have good sight of their surroundings. Given that it’s not possible to incorporate fixed ceiling lighting in a fuel tank, or indeed in many other settings in the fuel industry, transportable lighting comes to the fore, allowing jobs to be carried out without workers having to operate in dimly lit conditions.
It is absolutely essential that high precision tasks in the fuel industry, such as quality checks and reading gauge measurement, are not done in dim light, as getting them wrong could compromise the health and safety of an entire site and workforce.
It is, of course, imperative that transportable lighting must be suited to the environment it’s intended for. In the fuel industry, this might mean deciding upon lighting that can operate in a flammable or explosive environment.
When working in potentially explosive atmospheres, LED lighting is the sensible choice given that they remain cool and operate spark free. This ensures that combustible fuel won’t be ignited, protecting the people and equipment that surround it.
Quality of light
In addition to the health and safety benefits provided by transportable lighting, it is worth noting that it is adept at supplying concentrated, targeted lighting, thus enabling tasks to be carried out with precision. As an example, Chalmit’s Luna LED directs an output up to 5,600 lumens, and it is this kind of highly directional, uniform lighting, that provides workers with the necessary conditions to navigate hazardous settings and operate effectively.
Sustainability
Transportable lighting can also be implemented to boost an organisation’s sustainability credentials. When using it to carry out one specific task it means that other lighting in a facility does not need to be turned on. This means that senior decision-makers can be much more deliberate with their lighting without compromising on quality and use less electricity in the process. This also limits the amount of unwanted light pollution being generated.
With lots of eyes on the fuel industry, having a poor sustainability record can harm a business’ reputation and its ability to win new contracts. With commercial buyers and consumers increasingly making their final purchasing decisions based on an organisation’s sustainability record, transportable lighting has a significant role to play.
Benefits to the bottom line
It might sound obvious, but organisations that incorporate transportable lighting into their business will use less electricity. This means that they will also see a noteworthy reduction in their bills.
In addition, transportable lighting boasts an impressive lifespan, with some products performing for over 10 years. Given that lighting carries ongoing costs with it, in terms of repairs, maintenance and replacements, using a high performing, long-lasting product makes good business sense. So, by implementing the right lighting strategy that invests in transportable lighting, a business can significantly boost its bottom line.
The value of a good lighting strategy
The fuel industry can present some of the most testing and dangerous working conditions to operate in. Developing a good lighting strategy that incorporates transportable lighting, will enable the industry to boost its health and safety credentials and afford workers the opportunity to carry out jobs with precision and accuracy, all while taking a sustainable approach that comes with significant cost savings.
This article appeared in the July issue of Fuel Oil News magazine – subscribe now to ensure you don’t miss out: subscriptions@fueloilnews.co.uk