Page 41 - OHS, October 2024

C O N F I N E D S P A C E S
The New Generation of Lighting for Confi ned Spaces Safety
The New Generation of Lighting for Confi ned Spaces Safety
From ultra-bright headlamps and feature-rich work lights to fl exible scene lighting
From ultra-bright headlamps and feature-rich work lights to fl exible scene lighting
solutions, today’s portable lighting tools are more effi cient than ever before.
solutions, today’s portable lighting tools are more effi cient than ever before.
BY AARON FREUND
and other professionals who work in confi ned spaces are
Among the most essential tools for utility, construction
portable lighting tools that can light the way in environ-
ments with poor natural lighting. While many industrial
technicians may think that one fl ashlight model is pretty much the
same as another, the truth is that fl ashlight technology has evolved
extensively in recent years. Continuing advances in lighting tech-
nology are now off ering workers a wide range of lighting tools and
features that enable them to perform their work more effi ciently
in darkened, restricted conditions. And these same workers have
never been safer, thanks to a growing number of lighting products
that are specially designed for use in hazardous conditions that are
oft en present in confi ned places such as manholes, tunnels, pits,
utility job sites, equipment housings and pipelines.
Headlamps: Indispensable Tools for Tight, Dark Areas
From handheld fl ashlights and work lights that deliver fl ood-like
brightness to scene lights that can adapt to any environment, work-
ers have a wide variety of portable lighting tools from which to
choose when operating in confi ned spaces. But perhaps the most
widely used lights for working in tight spaces are headlamps, per-
mitting hands-free operation while maximizing safety. Gone are
the headlamps of yesteryear, which were oft en bulky and uncom-
fortable to wear for long periods. Designed to fi t comfortably on
the head or around a hard hat, today’s headlamps are lightweight,
easy to use and wear, and feature-rich. With multiple brightness
settings, modern headlamps can be adjusted to suit the task at
hand, providing optimal light output and run time levels.
Many headlamps now also combine multiple features to suit
user needs and preferences, including choices of:
■ Beam types, including bright, focused spot beams for down-
range lighting or soft fl ood lighting when working at arm’s length.
■ USB rechargeable or multi-fuel power sources, letting users
insert disposable batteries to ensure they always have light.
■ Features such as a 90-degree tilting head to reduce neck fa-
tigue and large buttons for easy actuation in the dark.
Work Lights that Can Fit in Even the Tightest Spaces
Th e newest class of compact and ultra-compact work lights fi t eas-
ily in small, restricted spaces, hands-free or hanging, and can ro-
tate horizontally or vertically on their bodies, letting technicians
aim light precisely where it’s needed even when in environments
that limit movement. Many stand on their own or clamp virtually
anywhere, letting workers use them for overhead lighting or for
directing spot lighting in tight spaces. Such models may feature a
magnetic base and stowable hook for hands-free applications.
And because it’s not unusual for fl ashlights, lanterns and other
lighting tools to be knocked around or dropped several feet to the
ground from atop a piece of equipment, manufacturers now make
newer lights with non-conductive polymer housings or machined
aluminum casings that can withstand this type of daily abuse,
while also protecting the user from the danger of electric shock.
Some lights also off er superior resistance to potentially dangerous
chemicals and solvents that might be used in confi ned settings.
Portable Scene Lighting that Adapts to Confi ned Spaces
When it comes to working in restricted spaces, portable scene
lighting tools off er utility and other industrial technicians several
important advantages, shining light into the most out-of-the-way
places. Modern portable scene lights feature narrow footprints,
making them easy to store and transport almost anywhere. Th ey
can be positioned near manhole or pit areas, or other confi ned
spaces to increase worker visibility when entering and working
in such areas. Th ey are easily deployed and are battery-operated
without the need for cords. Th ey feature a rotating head that can be
extended on a telescoping pole and is supported by stabilizing legs
that lock into place to provide balance on uneven surfaces. New
technology now exists to ensure their battery life lasts for several
shift s, even days, which can be critical in time-sensitive situations.
Safety Considerations
Th e most extreme hazardous working conditions are oft en in dark
places, including confi ned ones. Choosing the correct light for
your application requires a thorough understanding of the work-
ing environment, and a realistic expectation of how a properly se-
lected light will operate in those conditions.
Because fl ashlights can serve as a source of ignition, it is ex-
tremely dangerous to use any light that has not been specifi cally
designed and approved for use in areas where fi re or explosion
hazards may exist due to the presence of fl ammable gases, liquids,
vapors, dusts, or ignitable fi bers or fl yings. Th ese are considered
hazardous environments where you should expect explosive at-
mospheres to be present, and which require using only fl ashlight
equipment with a Division 1 safety rating.
Look for fl ashlights that are tested and certifi ed as safety-
rated by nationally recognized, independent testing laboratories
to achieve a Division 1 rating, which is your assurance that the
fl ashlight will be safe, reliable and tough enough for the job. Check
fl ashlight manufacturers’ websites for more information.
Th e future should see portable lighting tools becoming even
brighter, running longer and operating more effi ciently, while still
maintaining durability and functionality. Battery technology will
continue to advance, resulting in lighter-weight products that use
less energy while providing brighter and more consistent illumina-
tion. Th ese and other advances will drive more eff ective, effi cient
and safer tools for professionals operating in confi ned spaces.
Aaron Freund is the Director of Sales – Industrial/Fire at Streamlight.
www.ohsonline.com OCTOBER 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 41