Construction sites are not a place for weak lighting. Temporary lighting strings are strung across the workplace, but it requires more than a few lengths of lights hung about in a structured manner to make the site safe for workers. To protect the workers and ensure the proper lighting requires several things. These include:
- Durable cord
- Rough service lamps
- Strong filaments
- Secured plug-in stations
- Shock-proof devices
- Industrial wire guards
While some employers and employee may not consider the wire guards essential, they do add another level of security for everyone who works on the construction site.
Early Construction Lighting
In the past, temporary construction sites were a nightmare for workers. In the early days, gas and oil lamps provided a high risk of a fire occurring. In closed in areas, fumes would also present a risk. The danger of physical harm resulting from the poor lighting also reduced the instances of evening or night construction work.
The arrival of electricity introduced a new element. It allowed employers to lengthen the workday to meet the contractual obligations for completion. If work was taking place in a dark interior or at night, lighting was a haphazard mess. In general, the main features of the lighting system in the days of electrical power were string of power cords hanging from poles, strung up by ropes or dangling off nails or other things. Such methods increased the overall potential for frayed or broken wires. In turn, this elevated the risk of electrical shock and even electrocution. Only a few light fixtures sported industrial wire guards – those metal cages or wire coverings. This was not really to protect workers, but to shield the bulbs and, therefore, decrease the cost of replacing them.
Modern Lighting
Today, the focus is on worker safety. Various legislation demands all electrical lighting be safe and secured. Today’s lighting strings – even though they operate on a temporary basis are:
- Durable – capable of handling the hard blows, shocks, bumps and vibrations
- Specifically configured for hanging stress free
- Easy to install
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to take down
- Have a “rough service” lamp containing an extraordinarily strong filament
- Feature wire guards for increased protection
- The industrial wire guard is now a regular component abetting the lighting to survive a very harsh indoor or outdoor environment.
Industrial Wire Guards
Electrical lighting for construction sites has come a long way. Today, the products are designed to withstand whatever is thrown at them. The light filaments may be durable and the lamps themselves tough. Yet, it is the addition of industrial wire guards – those strong metal cages or coverings – that increases the security level for all employees working on site.
