1. Check external lighting
When the days get shorter, external lighting becomes even more important.
Check floodlights, bulkheads and security lighting around entrances, walkways, loading areas, car parks and other outdoor working areas. Look for failed fittings, damage, poor positioning or areas that aren’t getting enough light.
Pay particular attention to places where people and vehicles cross paths. HSE guidance highlights roads, yards, pedestrian areas, junctions and loading areas as places where suitable lighting is particularly important.
It’s also worth checking that external fittings are suitable for the conditions they’re exposed to and that there are no obvious signs of water ingress or deterioration.
The job: Make sure outside areas are well lit, fittings are in good condition and the lighting is suitable for the environment.
2. Look for dark spots and shadows
A light being on doesn’t always mean the job is properly lit.
Walk the site or workspace and look at where light actually falls. Equipment, racking, vehicles and the building itself can create shadows or leave areas darker than expected.
That matters when someone is working with tools, using stairs or moving around a busy site. HSE guidance recommends additional lighting where shadows could hide hazards and says artificial lighting should be provided where natural light isn’t adequate.
Different jobs can also need different levels of lighting, so think about the work taking place rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
The job: Check the areas people actually work in and move through, not just the fittings themselves.
3. Test emergency lighting
Emergency lighting needs to be ready to do its job when the main lighting can’t.
Check emergency luminaires and illuminated escape routes, and make sure any faults are picked up and dealt with. Where emergency routes rely on artificial lighting, suitable emergency lighting should be available if the normal supply fails.
Testing and maintenance should follow the requirements for the premises, its fire risk assessment, the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant current standards. Government fire safety guidance also makes clear that emergency lighting should be regularly checked and faults recorded.
Winter is a good prompt to make sure nothing has been overlooked before buildings are regularly occupied during darker hours.
The job: Check operation, condition and coverage, and deal with any faults before they become a problem.
4. Check fittings, cables and connections
Winter can put outdoor and site lighting through tougher conditions, so give the installation a good visual check.
Look for damaged fittings, cracked covers, loose connections, damaged cables and signs of moisture or wear. On construction sites, HSE recommends protecting lighting cabling and lamps from damage and having a system in place to check lighting regularly.
For equipment used outdoors, make sure it’s suitable for the conditions and has the appropriate protection for where it’s being installed. Electrical Safety First also recommends checking outdoor electrical equipment and connections for damage and making sure equipment is suitable for outdoor use.
The job: Spot worn or damaged equipment now, rather than finding it when you need the light most.
5. Check timers, sensors and lighting controls
The clocks change, daylight hours change — so lighting controls may need checking too.
Review timers, photocells, presence sensors and other controls to make sure lighting is coming on when it’s actually needed.
A setup that worked through summer might not suit an early winter morning or a job finishing after dark. It’s also worth checking that sensors are positioned correctly and haven’t been blocked or affected by changes around the site.
Getting the controls right helps make sure the right areas are lit at the right time, without leaving lighting running unnecessarily.
The job: Check settings and operation, then adjust them for shorter daylight hours.
Darker days? Sorted.
A few lighting checks now can help keep sites and buildings ready for early starts, late finishes and everything winter brings.
Whether you’re replacing a floodlight, sorting site lighting, upgrading a batten or checking emergency lighting, CEF has lighting solutions for every job.
Lighting to keep the job moving.