Maintaining safety for staff and drivers in the loading area of any logistics centre is of paramount importance and ensuring that there is sufficient lighting to provide excellent visibility is essential. Outdoor lighting in loading areas needs to cover the whole area to reduce the potential for accidents while also minimising glare in surrounding areas.
High intensity outdoor lighting systems can use large amounts of energy which has an overall impact on electricity costs, and contributes to overall emissions from a facility, and as part of both cost control and net zero goals, finding ways to choose a more efficient solution is beneficial.
The first priority for any business is the safety of employees, particularly in hazardous areas. In a busy loading bay, there may be multiple vehicles including large HGVs, smaller vans and forklifts in close proximity to pedestrian areas. Lighting in the loading area needs to allow for drivers of all vehicles to see loaders and facilitate their movements.
Key goals of the lighting system for a loading area include creating clear pathways for different classes of vehicle and guidance from staging areas to the loading decks. Lighting should also provide visual cues for foot traffic including providing lighting around warning signs and prohibited areas.
In addition to the main lighting, standalone emergency lighting is vital so that safety is maintained in the event of a power cut and allow staff to transition to a safe part of the facility without crossing the path of moving vehicles.
When planning the exterior lighting system for a loading bay, simply reducing the lighting levels to reduce energy use is not a solution as it could put users at higher risk.
Replacing legacy loading bay discharge lighting with modern energy efficient LED lighting provides an immediate benefit in terms of energy use, but the application of smart lighting controls can further help to improve overall efficiency.
The use of motion sensors within a loading area is useful but must be done in a way that considers usage and sensors must be positioned so that they cannot be blocked by vehicles for safety. In a facility with multiple bays for vehicles, illuminating areas that are not in use can be wasteful. Limiting lighting to in-use bays provides a visual cue for drivers about the correct location for loading and unloading, which will contribute to better throughput alongside reducing general electricity use where unnecessary.
Creating the safest possible working environment with energy efficient lighting systems for loading areas in a logistics facility is possible. Find out more about how smart lighting controls, coupled with careful planning of light placement to maximise illumination and the use of the most energy efficient technology can help reduce your energy costs. Contact us today for more information.
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