The Impact of light and heat levels in the working environment on workers’ safety

Abstract

The quality of the working environment plays a crucial role in workers’ health and safety. This study examines the impact of physical workplace conditions, specifically lighting and temperature, on occupational safety in selected factories in Sri Lanka’s Western Province. Using a descriptive research design, secondary data were analyzed from environmental monitoring reports and accident registers. The study found a significant negative correlation between light levels and occupational accidents (r = -0.506, p < 0.01), indicating that improved lighting reduces accident risk. A positive correlation was observed between high temperatures and accidents (r = 0.367, p < 0.01), suggesting that heat stress contributes to increased incident rates. Among the factories surveyed, 72.7% reported at least one workplace accident. Of the recorded incidents, 75.5% were minor injuries, 20.4% major injuries, and 4.1% fatal. The findings emphasize the necessity of maintaining adequate lighting and thermal conditions to enhance workplace safety. The study recommends stricter enforcement of occupational safety standards and further investigation into other environmental and organizational factors affecting worker health and safety.