Assessment and Design of Illumination in a Steel Manufacturing Company in Ahvaz, Iran

Background: Illumination is a physical factor in workspaces. This factor is an important risk factor for vision health, employees comfort, preventing accidents etc. and should be standardized. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing and redesigning the illumination in a steel manufacturing company. Methods: In the current descriptive cross sectional study, illumination intensity was measured in 3 units of Kavian steel company using a network approach by TES 1339 lux meter. The units were divided into square networks, and then, redesigned using the lumen method. The current study was conducted in 2016, and the collected data were analyzed based on the statistical one-sample test. Results: Average illumination intensity in hall 25, roller cutting workshop, and manufacturing and renovation workshop were 344.43 ± 166.42, 621.35 ± 240.04, and 262.05 ± 65.62 lux, respectively. The results showed a significant relationship between average illumination in these units and standard values (500 lux), (P ≤ 0.05). Given the mean deviation of illumination intensity from standard value, a renewed design is needed. After redesigning, 82 160-W high-voltage mercury lamps with 21 × 4 arrangement, 84 400-W mercury lamps with 7 × 12 arrangement, and 15 160-W lamps with 3x5 arrangement were needed for hall number 25, roller cutting unit, and manufacturing and renovation workshops, respectively. Conclusions: According to these results, the degree of illumination intensity distribution was unfavorable, and implementing a plan to supply favorable illumination in the standard level for the working staff was essential. Therefore, it was suggested that the renewed design, prepared according to the standard method by the researchers in order to provide favorable illumination system in the company be executed.