Poor temporary lighting leads to real injuries and costly delays. It doesn’t just hurt productivity—it can put crews at risk and trigger OSHA citations. With a smart plan, the right gear, and disciplined maintenance, your site can be brighter, safer, and inspection-ready.
Prefer not to DIY? Worksite Lighting can design, install, and maintain OSHA-compliant temporary lighting so your team can focus on the build.
1) Understand OSHA Lighting Requirements
OSHA sets minimum illumination levels (measured in foot-candles) for different areas so people can see hazards, read markings, and work safely. In practice, many contractors aim above the minimum to account for dust, distance, and lamp depreciation.
- General construction areas: ~5 foot-candles
- Concrete/excavation/loading/refueling/field maintenance: ~3 foot-candles
- Indoor corridors/warehouses/exit ways: ~5 foot-candles
- Plants/shops and active storerooms: ~10 foot-candles
- First-aid stations/offices: ~30 foot-candles
Underground/tunnel work: Lighting must be dependable, with higher levels at headings and critical tasks. Each worker should have an acceptable portable hand lamp or cap lamp for emergencies.
Not allowed: Unguarded lamps (unless deeply recessed), unsafe open wiring, or using cords/fixtures in ways they weren’t designed for. Temporary strings should be UL/FM listed and installed per the listing and NEC requirements.
Soft note: Our team frequently performs quick compliance walkthroughs and flags gaps before inspection.
2) Plan the Lighting Layout
Walk the site with a scaled plan. Mark where people work, walk, rest, and exit. Call out high-risk zones (excavations, loading platforms, congested crossings) and any spots with deep shadows or changing geometry.
- Target levels: Start with OSHA minimums; consider increasing targets in critical areas to offset dirt and lamp aging.
- Count fixtures: Estimate total lumens by area/task, then select fixtures and spacing for even coverage.
- Design for change: Plan moves floor-by-floor and phase-by-phase. Use portable carts, stands, and towers where work areas shift.
- Field test: Light up a section at night (or with doors closed) to reveal shadows before full deployment.
Soft note: We often deliver practical, buildable layouts crews can stage in a single mobilization.
3) Choose OSHA-Compliant Equipment
Select NRTL-listed products designed for temporary construction use. For strings, confirm UL 1088 and follow NEC Article 590/305 as applicable.
- Stringers & work lights: Heavy-duty cords, guarded lamps, impact-resistant cages, proper strain relief.
- Wet/conductive areas: Use 12V systems or 120V with GFCI. Weather-resistant GFCI receptacles reduce nuisance trips and hazards.
- Grounding & separation: Metal-case sockets grounded; keep lighting branch circuits separate from power circuits.
- Haz-Loc: In classified areas, use correctly rated (e.g., Class I Div 1/2) fixtures and connectors.
Soft note: We supply listed gear matched to conditions—from high-bay work zones to refinery turnarounds.
4) Install Safely (and Neatly)
Even great gear is unsafe if installed poorly. Focus on spacing, strain relief, and cord routing.
- Spacing: Set intervals to eliminate dark spots and glare; adjust for ceiling height and task detail.
- Mounting: Don’t hang lights by their cords unless specifically designed for it. Use hooks, straps, or hangers.
- Cord management: Keep cables out of walkways and away from sharp edges/doors. Protect where they must cross paths.
- Protection: Guards on lamps; in-use covers and drip loops in wet locations; labeled circuits.
- Power & GFCI: Correct overcurrent protection, bonding/grounding per NEC, and GFCI where required.
Soft note: Our field teams stage, label, and commission systems so they’re inspection-ready on day one.
5) Maintain & Monitor
Temporary lighting lives a hard life. Build maintenance into the schedule.
- Routine checks: Replace burned-out lamps, tighten connections, inspect cages and cords, clean lenses.
- Documentation: Keep inspection logs, test results, and corrective actions—useful for audits and turnover.
- Emergency lighting: Provide backup with sufficient run time for safe egress; test monthly and annually.
Soft note: Many clients have us handle swap-outs and compliance reporting through project closeout.
Conclusion
OSHA-compliant temporary lighting prevents injuries, speeds up work, and keeps inspections smooth. With a solid plan, listed equipment, clean installation, and steady maintenance, you’ll keep crews safer and projects on schedule.
Need a turnkey partner? Contact Worksite Lighting to have your temporary lighting designed, installed, and maintained—end-to-end.