1. (a) Working areas, stairways, aisles, passageways, work benches and machines shall be provided with either natural or artificial illumination which is adequate and suitable to provide a reasonably safe place of employment. Minimum illumination levels for safety alone are listed for various typical areas in Table IL-1. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 512, Table 5-C.)

   TABLE IL-1

   MINIMUM LEVELS OF ILLUMINATION FOR SAFETY

   Hazards Requiring Visual Detection

   Slight

   High

   Normal Activity Level

   Low

   High

   Low

   High

   Areas

   Storage Yards Offices Locker Rooms

   Loading Areas Warehouses Corridors Washrooms Spray Booths Inspection Areas

   Elevators Stairways Assembly Areas Layout Areas

   Engine Rooms Processing Areas Machine Shops Sheet Metal Works Woodworking Shops

   Footcandles

   0.5

   1.0

   2.0

   5.0

   Notes:

2. (1) To assure these levels at all times, higher initial levels need to be provided to compensate for their depreciation due to the decrease of light output of lamps with age and to the accumulation of dirt on lamps and room surfaces.
3. (2) For areas or operations not covered above, and for recommended illumination levels for efficient visual performance in varied tasks and areas, refer to ANSI/IES RP-7-1991, Practice for Industrial Lighting and ANSI/IES RP-1-1993, Practice for Office Lighting. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 512, Table 5-C.)
4. (b) When adequate natural illumination or permanent artificial illumination cannot be made available to secure the safety of employees, suitable portable lights shall be provided.
5. (c) Skylights, side windows, lamps, and other light accessories which provide necessary illumination shall be kept sufficiently clean, adjusted, and repaired so as not to impair the illumination required for the safety of employees.

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code; and Section 18943(c), Health and Safety Code.

History

1. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 11-28-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 48).

2. Amendment filed 7-16-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 29).

3. Editorial correction filed 10-7-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 41).

4. Amendment of subsection (a) and footnotes to Table filed 2-11-99; operative 3-13-99 (Register 99, No. 7).