Chapter III: Lighting, thermal environment

The provisions of this section lay down the rules relating to lighting and illumination: 1° of work premises and their ancillary areas, in particular passageways and stairways; 2° of outside areas where permanent work is carried out; 3° of outside areas and thoroughfares normally used during working hours.

Lighting is provided in such a way as to : 1° Prevent eyestrain and the resulting visual disorders; 2° Enable the detection of hazards perceptible to the naked eye.

As far as possible, workplaces should have sufficient natural light.

While workers are present in the places referred to in Article R. 4223-1, the illumination levels measured at the work surface or, failing that, at the floor, are at least equal to the values shown in the following table: WORK AREAS and their outbuildings MINIMUM VALUES illumination Indoor circulation routes 40 lux Staircases and warehouses 60 lux Work areas, changing rooms, toilets 120 lux Blind rooms used for permanent work…

In work areas, the lighting level is adapted to the nature and precision of the work to be carried out.

In artificial lighting, the ratio of illuminance levels in the same room, between that of the work area and the general illuminance, must be between 1 and 5. The same applies to the ratio of illuminance levels between adjoining communicating areas.

Workstations located inside workplaces are protected from the sun’s harmful rays either by the design of openings or by appropriate fixed or mobile protection.

Appropriate measures are taken to protect workers against glare and visual fatigue caused by high luminance surfaces or by excessive luminance ratios between neighbouring surfaces. Lighting sources must provide a quality of colour rendering appropriate to the activity to be carried out and must not compromise the safety of workers. Fluctuating light must not be perceptible or cause a stroboscopic effect.

All measures are taken to ensure that workers are not inconvenienced by the thermal effects of radiation from the lighting sources used. Lighting sources are designed or installed in such a way as to avoid any risk of burns.

Lighting controls are easily accessible. In blind areas, they are fitted with indicator lights.