PDFWAC 296-800-21005

Provide and maintain adequate lighting.

Note:
This section establishes minimal levels of lighting for safety purposes only. Guidelines pertaining to optimal levels of lighting and illumination may be found in Practice for Industrial Lighting, ANSI/IES RP7-1979. (See the resource section of this book on how to contact ANSI.)
(1) You must provide and maintain adequate lighting for all work activities in your workplace. See the following table.
Lighting Table
Activity
Minimum
acceptable
average
lighting
level in
an area:
Any one single
measurement
used to
determine the
average lighting
level* cannot be
less than:
 
(Foot-candles)
(Foot-candles)
Indoor task
10
5
Outdoor task
5
2.5
Nontask activities for both indoor and outdoor
3
1.5
*
Lighting levels must be measured at thirty inches above the floor/working surface at the task.
(2) You must have adequate light for employees to see nearby objects that might be potential hazards or to see to operate emergency controls or other equipment, if general lighting is not available.
Note:
• Lighting levels can be measured with a light meter.
 
• Conversion information: 1 foot-candle = 1 lumen incident per square foot = 10.76 lux.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-21005, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-23-060, § 296-800-21005, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-21005, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]