Pulp Paper & Logistics
DIALIGHT 21
● Improved visibility and colour rendering. Conventional High- Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide (MH) fixtures have a low colour temperature and a 60-70 colour rendering index (CRI), which makes for poor visibility and difficulty in distinguishing colours, such as those on warning signs and electrical wiring. This not only makes it difficult
for workers to spot hazards around but also puts them at risk for misinterpreting color- coded warnings. LED fixtures, on the other hand, produce a bright, near-daylight quality of white light with a CRI typically in the 80s or 90s (with daylight at 100). As the staff at Kimberly- Clark’s mill at Johor in Malaysia discovered, this dramatically improves visibility (ref 2), enables workers to detect and avoid hazards more quickly (ref 3), and makes the work environment more comfortable for employees. ● Resistance to dust and combustible particles. Airborne particles are a constant danger in wood processing and paper production. Because HPS and MH fixtures produce excessive heat, this combines with accumulation of dust on the fixture to cause overheating (resulting in premature fixture failure) or fire. If particles infiltrate the fixture during maintenance, it can cause an explosion. In contrast, hazardous location certified industrial LED fixtures produce far less ambient heat, which makes the risk of overheating or fire from dust and debris build-up a non-issue. As the team at Koehler Paper
Group in Kehl, Germany also learned, the lower operating temperature also eliminates the problem of discolouration and colour variation from dust accumulation on the lens.
Koehler also discovered that, as sealed fixtures with no catastrophic end-of-life failure, LEDs also eliminated the risk of parts falling into the production line, contaminating products or causing a fire hazard.
of paper production, conventional lighting requires near constant bulb and fixture changes. Because this work must be performed at high elevation, often above production equipment, this puts workers at
state-of-the-art LED lighting when there are so many cheaper alternatives available. However, the reality is that upgrading to industrial LED technology is a practical and economical way to drastically improve workplace safety in pulp and paper mills that creates direct cost savings in the long run. In addition to its superior
durability and energy efficiency, which saves on maintenance and electricity consumption, LED lighting has the potential to dramatically reduce the number, severity and high cost of workplace accidents by creating a safer, more comfortable work environment. * Luis Ramirez is the chief operations officer at UK- based Dialight, responsible for global operations, including manufacturing; supply chain, planning and logistics; quality, warranty and technical services.
Corrosion on conventional lamps reduces illumination and runs the risk of fires and maintenance that is unnecessary with LEDs
● Enhanced worker alertness. Bright, white lighting has been proven to aid alertness, especially during evening or overnight hours. In 24/7 operations, this can be a tremendous safety enhancement to combat worker fatigue that lowers reaction time and contributes to accidents and injuries (ref 4). In fact, unlike the dull colour
of conventional fixtures that can lower mood and energy levels (ref 4), the crisp, white light of LED fixtures has been proven to increase alertness and reduce fatigue by up to five times (ref 5), helping workers to be more aware of their surroundings, think more clearly and react faster in the face of danger. ● Reduced lighting maintenance. In the high-vibration environment
serious risk of falling or electrical accidents. Not to mention, a single HPS bulb, for example, contains enough toxic mercury to poison an entire classroom of children (ref 6). When a bulb breaks during
maintenance (a frequent occurrence), it directly exposes those workers to acute mercury poisoning. Switching to LED fixtures almost eliminates lighting maintenance for up to 10 years or more. That means no more frequent high-elevation work, less electrical shock potential and zero risk of exposure to toxic mercury, all of which adds up to a much lower risk of accident and injury for workers (ref 7). Many companies bristle at the initial cost of investing in modern,
References:
1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Safety Council, ECG Analysis 2. Abdou, ‘Effects of Luminous Environment on Worker Productivity in Building Spaces’ 3. Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 4. Edwards, NREL, ‘A Literature Review of the Effects of Natural Light on Building Occupants’ 5. Falchi, ‘Limiting the impact of light pollution on human health, environment and stellar visibility’ 6. US Dept of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-2; ECG analysis 7. Yenchek, ‘The potential impact of light emitting diode lighting on reducing mining injuries during operation and maintenance of lighting systems’
September/October 2020
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