Things to Consider When Retrofitting Your Work Site Lighting to LEDs
From street lighting to highbay lights, when evaluating LED lights, several factors come into play, including lighting output and efficacy. However, other aspects, such as light distribution and uniformity, are equally important. LED lights offer distinct advantages in these areas, making them suitable for various applications, such as workshops, site lighting and sports facilities.
Efficiency, measured in lumens per watt, is an essential factor in energy savings. Although higher efficiency can lead to greater power savings, it may negatively impact the lifespan of the luminaire due to increased heat generation. To maximize savings while maintaining lifespan, consider the Temperature Ambience (Ta) Rating and its implications when discussing LED lighting options with your lighting supplier.
It is also important to consider the IP (Ingress Protection) Rating of fixtures and the environment they are going to be used in. The IP code represents the level of protection offered by a lighting fixture against dust and moisture intrusion. For instance, an interior office light might have an IP20 rating, while a workshop environment light might be rated IP65.
Additionally, the CRI (Colour Rendering Index) influences color accuracy and vibrance. A CRI value closer to 100 indicates better color reproduction and vibrancy. If color vibrance is not a primary concern for your application, a lower CRI (≤70) can help reduce upfront costs.
To help you choose the most suitable LED lighting options for your facility, Earthtrack offer a site audit and lighting design service. A lighting design will show recommended light positioning, distribution maps, and appropriate ratings, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your specific requirements and facility characteristics.
What is ESG?
ESG & Earthtrack
ESG is a term that is getting a lot of attention lately, but what does it mean?
Environmental, Social and Governance. Sounds like more of a boardroom conversation than something that would be top of mind for a mine site or a small business, but that is changing due to the impact each of these areas has on our values as a business, managing risk, how we look after our staff/stakeholders, where we source product from and measures we take to care for the environment.
The term resonated with Earthtrack very strongly due to our values around environmentally sustainable solar lights and energy efficient LED lighting. We proudly support the Business News feature around this topic each month to further increase awareness in the business community.
Earthtrack embedded our commitment to ESG into our values that underpin everything we do throughout the company. We keep this at the top of mind when evaluating a new product or system within the business regarding waste reduction, worker/user safety, energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Doing no harm with lighting can mean less is more.
By getting a compliant lighting design before embarking on a lighting project, it results in only sourcing the products that will do the job to create a consistent result across an entire area. The advantage of LED lighting is that each fitting is supplied with technical files that can be plotted into software to provide a model of how the lighting fittings will perform, so there is no need for guesswork.
This is particularly important, as lighting can cause discomfort or health issues if glare or reflection is not directed properly to where it is needed. Any sports field lighting needs to comply to an Australian Standard that requires management of light spill and glare, so Councils are not faced with complaints of night game lights shining into neighbouring residential properties or illuminating the night sky to the detriment of local wildlife.
Ensuring lighting fittings also are fit-for-purpose also reduces waste. The advantage of LED is the long life of fittings over the old metal halide options so less fittings end up in landfill. Ensuring fittings can deal effectively with harsh Pilbara conditions, marine/corrosive environments or high vibration/impact zones will mean the fittings stand the test of time and will not be in landfill prematurely due to poor selection.
When it comes to solar light energy storage, battery technology has also improved to create longer life batteries, such as the LifePo4, that provide better autonomy, more power, and a smaller footprint than the older style gel battery options.
Taking care to understand practices of overseas suppliers to ensure they also follow ESG criteria, as well as supporting local workers with jobs by producing more product content and design in Australia, we see this as incredibly important to our success going forward.
ESG is about being a conscious of protecting our earth. It is no longer about big business doing the right thing, but about all the small actions taken each day to make the world a better place.
The Elion Solar Container Kit – An Off-Grid Solar Light Solution
The Elion Solar Lighting Container Kit offers a game-changing solution for off-grid solar light needs, and environmental sustainability. The Elion Solar Container Kit was originally developed in response to the many industry requests Earthtrack received, for a reliable off-grid solar light solution for container lighting within the mining industry. A great solution for mining, as well as various other industries, including construction, agriculture, remote communities, and outdoor events. The container kit is also perfect for use as a solar shed light system. This all-in-one solar grid system harnesses the limitless energy of the sun, delivering exceptional benefits in noise reduction and lowering emissions. Operating with zero emissions, the kit runs silently and efficiently, eliminating the need for noisy generators on site.
With the Elion Solar Lighting Container Kit, users can enjoy reliable LED lighting and power, even in remote areas where there is no access to the electrical grid. It is a great solution that can be deployed quickly and easily to provide illumination.
The plug and play system includes 400W solar monocrystalline photovoltaic panel(s), capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity, with heavy duty battery storage system integrated, to maintain continuous power – day or night.
The user-friendly MPPT controller, allows for effortless operation and monitoring of the entire system. The interface enables users to manage lighting schedules, monitor power levels, and access other key functions for optimal performance and convenience. Both the batteries and controller are housed in a vandal resistant weather resistant battery storage box, enabling long-lasting use in various environments and climates.
If you would like to find out more about the Elion Solar Container Kit, click here, or email us at [email protected]
Common Issues in Industrial Work Site Lighting
Industrial work sites and construction areas often face lighting challenges that impact both safety and environmental sustainability. While more efficient solar light and other renewable lighting technologies are becoming common, the transition to these can be challenging. Here is the top 4 common issues seen by Earthtrack during site lighting audits around Australia:
- Poor Light Uniformity: This is a frequent problem, especially during the transition from old halide fittings to LED lights. Incorrect selection of wattages and beam angles can cause uneven light distribution or dark areas between fittings, impacting site safety.
- Colour Issues: Mixing different color temperatures can have the same impact as having dark spots and can cause headaches and other health issues for workers.
- Light Spill: Light pollution can disrupt surrounding areas, particularly in mine sites with close proximity of work and accommodation areas, and nearby environmental ecosystems.
- Noise Pollution: Diesel generators often cause disruption in mining and agricultural areas. Switching to solar light towers and other solar fittings can help reduce noise pollution.
In addition, new Australian lighting standards are more stringent, and non-compliant lighting poses safety risks and regulatory complications.
When redesigning site lighting, we recommend considering the following:
- The size of the area and its usage to determine the required illumination.
- A site’s terrain, as hills, valleys, and obstacles can significantly impact light distribution.
- Neighboring areas to mitigate light pollution and damage.
As Australia embraces renewable energy alternatives, outdoor solar light systems are expected to lead the lighting industry, providing a reliable and efficient light source for streets, industrial, and mining spaces. This transition contributes to the country’s environmental consciousness and its determination to reduce carbon emissions, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
MESC Queensland 2023
The Earthtrack Group, has once again demonstrated our sustainable solar light solutions at the highly anticipated MESC (Mining Electrical Safety Conference) Queensland Expo 2023.
The MESC Queensland Expo, one of the most prestigious events in the mining and industries, providing a platform for companies like Earthtrack Group to showcase their latest innovations. This year, Earthtrack Group’s Elion Solar Street Light took center stage, demonstrating its potential to revolutionise outdoor street lighting and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
Wendy Jeffery and Malcom Hodges ventured over for the 2 day event and were impressed by the popularity of the event and the level of attendees. It was the first time in many years that we had exhibited in Queensland, but it will definitely become a regular event for Earthtrack to attend going forward.
About the Elion
Harnessing the Power of the Sun: The Elion Solar Street Light represents a game-changing advancement in outdoor street lighting technology. Elion is an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional street lighting, with an intergrated solar grid system to harness the sun’s energy during the day and converting it into electricity during the night. With zero reliance on the electrical grid, this solar street lighting solution eliminates carbon emissions and significantly reduces electricity costs or disruption of land.
The Elion Solar Street Light boasts a range of other impressive features that make it a standout in the industry. It’s intelligent lighting system can be equipped with motion sensors, allowing the lights to automatically adjust their brightness levels based on activity in the area. This feature not only maximizes energy efficiency but also enhances safety and security by providing optimal lighting when needed the most.
Additionally, the Elion Solar Street Light is built to withstand harsh weather conditions. It’s durable construction and IP65 rated battery storage box, ensure that it can withstand heavy rain, extreme temperatures, and even dust storms. The long lifespan of the LED lights, coupled with minimal maintenance requirements, further cements it’s reliability and cost-effectiveness.
The scalability and modular design of the Elion solar light system makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from lights on streets and in public parks to commercial space lighting and parking lots.
Work Lighting For Heavy Machinery
When heavy equipment is in motion, visibility is paramount for safe productivity. Whether you are navigating a busy work site with workers, vehicles and equipment in motion, working deep underground, or working long nights to harvest crops, you need lighting you can count on.
If you are manufacturing or hiring heavy equipment, improving the quality of lighting you supply onboard can give you an edge over competitors and improve customer satisfaction with the productivity of the machinery they have bought or hired.
Ideal for tough working conditions
Earthtrack Work Lights are the very latest, high powered, heavy duty LED lighting designed specifically for mining or construction equipment. With a long life of 50,000 hours, these lightweight lights come in a number of configurations and mounting options so you can direct the light where you need it.
With water and dust protection to a very high IP68/69, many models will withstand immersion in water, are impact resistant and can handle operating temperatures between -40 degrees to +85 degrees Celsius. They are also very compact in design to suit any style of machinery or vehicle.
Quality components
Earthlight Work lights have best-in-class LED technology from Cree. Vibrant colour rendering provides a more accurate colour representation, as well as a more uniform, visually comfortable appearance. High energy efficiency, bright lighting and dimming capability.
Models such as the 60W Enforcer control these Cree LEDs with Electronic Thermal Control (ETC), which monitors the heat output of LEDs and makes use of integrated Pulse Width Modulation to maintain a safe operating temperature. This prolongs the life of LEDs to its full 50,000 hours.
Virtually indestructible
Made from highly durable die-cast alloy and featuring a virtually indestructible polycarbonate lens, the adjustable stainless-steel bracket mounts, helps to ensure an accurate, stable beam even in high vibration or very uneven driving surfaces.
In many models you can choose from wide flood beam or euro beam options.
For more information, see our spec sheets below, or talk to our knowledgeable team today to find out which option is best for your situation and equipment type.
Make sure you choose driving lights that are fit for purpose. Choose Earthlight Automotive Lights for reliable, safe, powerful LED lighting for your vehicles or equipment.
See our full automotive light range here.
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents Related to Lighting
Poor lighting can contribute to various workplace accidents and issues. In Australia, ensuring adequate site lighting safety is essential, with lighting-related incidents accounting for a significant portion of workplace injuries.
- Inadequate illumination: This occurs when there’s insufficient light or non-uniform lighting across a work area. It can make it difficult to read instructions, spot slip or trip hazards, and maintain alertness during night shifts. LED technology can provide energy efficiency, long life, and consistent lighting.
- Excessive illumination: Over-illumination may result in excessive glare or reflection, causing discomfort, headaches, and reduced visibility. For instance, a local business switched from 150-watt highbays to 100-watt highbays to solve glare issues on stainless steel workbenches without compromising light quality.
- Uneven colour temperature: Light sources with different colour temperatures can affect the visual consistency of a workspace, causing discomfort and reducing the ability to distinguish objects. Harmonizing colour temperatures in a workspace can prevent these issues and enhance worker productivity.
- Emergency exit signage: It’s crucial to ensure emergency exit signs and safety signs operate correctly during emergencies. Australian Standards require commercial and industrial building signage testing. Batteries must meet illumination requirements for a specified time, and licensed professionals should conduct other tests to ensure proper functionality.
- Glare: Glare, either direct or indirect, can lead to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty distinguishing objects. Properly designed lighting systems that minimize glare can significantly improve safety and productivity in the workplace.
- Flicker: Flickering lights can cause eye strain, migraines, and fatigue. It is essential to ensure that the lighting system is free from flicker, especially in environments where workers are exposed to lights for extended periods.
- Visual acuity: Visual acuity refers to the ability to distinguish fine details. Proper lighting can help improve visual acuity
- Remote site lighting and site lighting safety in Australia: Reliable lighting in remote areas, temporary sites, or heavy vehicle interchanges can be challenging. Solar-powered lighting is an effective solution for achieving optimal illumination in areas without mains electricity. Earthtrack provides portable solar lighting towers and fitting for various lighting applications. In Australia, ensuring adequate site lighting safety is essential, with the Safe Work Australia reporting that lighting-related incidents account for approximately 4% of serious workplace injuries.
References: Safe Work Australia: Work-related Injuries and Fatalities