With shorter days and poor visibility, the risk of accidents increases in the fall, especially on construction sites. The German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the construction industry (BG BAU) recommends measures to keep employees visible and safe.
“The risk of accidents and being overlooked increases in the dark and in poor visibility conditions,” says Bernhard Arenz, Head of Prevention at BG BAU. He emphasizes the importance of lighting and high-visibility clothing.
Lighting: Traffic routes must be illuminated with at least 20 lux, work areas with up to 500 lux depending on the activity. Stable constructions, the right light angle and regular cleaning are important.
High-visibility clothing: Yellow and orange high-visibility clothing with reflective strips increases visibility. Class 2 protective clothing is the minimum standard, class 3 offers even better visibility. Treaded shoes provide additional protection against slipping.
Further information:
“Building block” artificial lighting on construction sites
Technical rule for workplaces: ASR A3.4 Lighting and visual contact