OSHA Requirements for Industrial String Lights and Temporary Lighting (1/3/2022)

String lights are non-permanent fixtures, which are installed to illuminate various sections of buildings. OSHA sets forth several recommendations for this type of light in work locations.

Article - January 3, 2022 By LarsonElectronics.com

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OSHA Requirements for Industrial String Lights and Temporary Lighting

Industrial string lights are used to support temporary lighting systems. Such luminaries are commonly found in mining operations, warehouses and construction sites. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) governs the application of temporary string lights to ensure safety for operators and nearby workers in the area.

Read on to learn about OSHA standards in place surrounding temporary work lights for increased safety in industrial sites.

OSHA String Light Standards

String lights are non-permanent fixtures, which are installed to illuminate various sections of buildings. OSHA sets forth several recommendations for this type of light in work locations. Below are some regulations that are often cited when manufacturing, installing and operating such luminaries:

• OSHA Lighting Requirements (1915.92): Temporary lighting (including string lights) must support guard mechanisms to prevent operators from accidentally contacting the light. Exceptions are provided for deeply recessed, inaccessible bulbs. Furthermore, it is recommended for cords to include adequate insulation.

• OSHA Standard 1926.405: This guideline focuses on hanging string lights by their cords. Such practices are only limited to cords and fixtures that are designed for suspension. Additionally, cords should be properly stored away from congested work areas.

• OSHA Standard 1915.82(b)(5): String lights should not overload branch circuits.

• National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 305: This regulation closely supports OSHA guidelines for temporary lighting. Specifically, the article dictates that temporary wiring at intervals should be in place for protection from unforeseen damage and to streamline the application of cable assemblies.

Individuals should carefully note that in locations where temporary lighting cannot be installed, employers are required to provide portable or emergency lighting options (OSHA 1915.82[c][1]). Furthermore, in hazardous work locations where volatile compounds are present, employers must install explosion proof lights approved for hazardous conditions through a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Such fixtures must adhere to specific Classification, Division and Group ratings that match the ignitable elements in the hazardous work environment.

Temporary Lighting in Mining and Construction Areas

Illumination is top priority in rugged work sites and during construction. OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1929.56 and 29 CFR 1926.56(a) suggests that general construction work must be supplemented with five foot-candles of lighting (minimum). For mining operations, a minimum of 10 foot-candles is required when drilling and inside tunnels. During installation, the temporary lights must be installed with ten feet of spacing in between each fixture. This is one of the toughest regulations to adhere to, because many buildings under construction have irregular floor plans. A solution to this issue involves utilizing shorter strings with several connected fixtures.

From a cost perspective, shorter strings are considered to be easier to remove upon completion of the project with an anticipated salvage rate of 75 percent. By comparison, longer strings are associated with more losses in the form of damages and failure due to destruction during the removal process (anticipated salvage rate of 60 percent).