INTRODUCTION

The assessment of illumination levels is a critical aspect of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) as
it directly impacts human performance and safety. Proper lighting is essential for visibility and the
ability to perform tasks efficiently and accurately, especially in complex work environments. In HFE,
illumination level assessment helps in designing workspaces that optimize lighting for human use. The
importance of case studies in this field lies in their ability to provide real-world examples that illustrate
the practical applications of HFE principles. They serve as a valuable tool for analyzing the
effectiveness of lighting designs, identifying potential issues, and guiding improvements, ultimately
enhancing human well-being and performance.

Findings from an illumination level assessment can significantly aid ergonomists and human factors
professionals by providing crucial data on the lighting conditions within a workspace. Proper lighting is
essential for maintaining optimal visual conditions, which in turn can prevent eye strain and improve
posture. By analyzing the brightness and distribution of light, professionals can make informed
decisions to adjust lighting for various tasks and environments. This can lead to a reduction in errors,
fatigue, and health-related issues.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this case study are:

(i) To measure the illumination level

(ii) To analyze the illumination level data
(iii) To propose engineering solutions to reduce illumination level

METHODOLOGY
 Industrial Ergonomic Lab is the setting for this case study. The study corresponds to the
systematic guidelines provided by the "Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Lighting at
Workplace 2018".

Figure 1: The flow chart of instruction for using the equipment.

Start

Measuring the
room space

Calculate the room index

using the room
measurement

Remove the lux meter

from its box

The lux meter needs to

be exposed to lighting
about 3-5 minutes

The experiment is taken

on a different point
following the room index

The data is taken

and recorded on
the data table.

End

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Measurement for General Lighting

To fulfil the lighting requirements for a certain type of industrial activity, general lighting is
given to offer consistent illumination over the work area. For instance, a greeting area, office, or storage.
To assess if the overall illumination in the work area is sufficient, the illuminance level must be
measured.

Steps to do measurement for general lighting:

i. Take measurements of the room's length, breadth, and illumination height above the working
plane.
ii. To find the number of measurement points in a given work area, calculate the room index.

iii. Refer to Table 2 for the number of measurement points given as the minimum requirement.

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 Table 2 : Minimum number of measurement points for measuring average illuminance in rooms of
different proportion.
iv. Following the small squares prepared, use the lux meter to measure the illumination in each
square's centre while referring to Figure 20.

Figure 2: Lighting measurement at the centre of equally divided.

RESULT
Figure 3 shows the noise map, with the numbers in the squares indicating the areas of
measurements were taken.

Figure 3: Industrial Ergonomics Lab lighting map.

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Room index calculation:
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2 3
 L×W
Room Index =
Hm( L+W )

Where:
L = length of room (m)
W = Wide of room
Hm = Height of lighting of the working place

(11.4× 6.54)
=
4.3(11.3+6.54)
= 0.91 room index

Refer the Table 2 shows the minimum number of measurement points for measuring average
illuminance in rooms of different proportion. The room index at the industrial ergonomics lab is 0.91
and it’s below 1. So the number of measurement points that need to be made is 4.

Result of the illuminance in rooms.

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 Table 3: Result.

DISCUSSION

The room that were used to conduct this experiment is Ergonomic Lab. The room has a height of
4.3 meter, length of 11.4 meter and a width of 6.54 meter. By using these dimensions, the room index
can be calculated.
L xW
Room Index :
H x ( L+W )
Where;
L: Length of room
W: Wide of room in meter
H: Height of lightning above the working plane in meter
Thus, by inserting the equation;
11.4 x 6.54
Room Index :
4.3 x(11.4+ 6.54)
= 0.91 Room Index
With a room index below than 1, this room required a minimum number of four measurement

points for measuring the average illuminance in rooms of different proportion. For each point, a total of

three recording is taken using the lux meter. The path between the lightning source and the point of

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measurement were made sure to be clear of any obstacle or anything that may affect the lux meter

reading. This study only assessed the light from artificial lightning only.

The first point is the lecturer table where the average lowest measurement range is 403. The light

sensor should have been place horizontally on the table. When compared with the recommended

illuminance, the equivalent of lecturer’s table is the teacher’s room. The teacher’s room has a

recommended lux of 300, which when compared with the lecturer’s table, it is more than enough.

The second point is the student’s table, with the average lowest measurement range is 424. Again

in this point, the lux sensor was placed horizontally on the table. Comparing student’s table with tutorial

room, the lux is more than enough where the recommended lux for tutorial room is 300.

The third point is the exit sign door with an average lowest measurement range of 421. The lux

sensor was placed vertically since the object to be measured is the exit sign door. The comparison for

sign door is decided as entrance halls and its recommended lux is 100, in which the exit sign door has

the appropriate number of lux.

And the last point is in the middle of the room, where the lux sensor was horizontally with an

average lowest measurement range is 543. It is decided that the middle of this lab is compare with

workshops. The workshops has a lux of 500, which is more than enough lux to allow students to work

comfortably.

There were a certain factor on why each point has different measurement. One of the obvious

reasons is that some point has better exposure on the artificial light. The last point, the middle of the

room, receive the highest number of lux due to the point receives most of the light from the lamp. And

the lowest lux in the room is on the lecturer table. Even though it is the lowest lux receives, it still is

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adequate when compared with recommended lux of teacher’s room.

To improve the lux given to a point, it is recommended to use lightning with adjustable intensity,

It will help increase the viewing time and the brightness of the workpiece. Overehead lights should be

avoid since it can cause shadows which will render human to work efficiently. It is better to provide

light from various sources and direction with low brightness lenses and glare conrol that will evenly

distribute the light. Indirect light is clean and highly reflective surface so that the light reaches the work

are. It provides soft lightning with minimal shadows and glare.

Increasing the light on the workplace will increase the visibility and help to fill out any constraint

in the other factor. Indirect light provides soft light so it is recommended to use blinds, curtain in the

window to shade the room.

REFERENCE

(1) Guidelines On Ergonomics Risk Assessment At Workplace 2017

(https://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/competent-person-form/occupational-health/regulation/
guidelines/ergonomic/2621-01-guidelines-on-ergonomics-risk-assessment-at-workplace-2017?
path=guidelines/ergonomic).
(2) Industry Code of Practice for Management of Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing
Conservation 2019, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysia.
(3) Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Lighting at Workplace 2018, Department of
Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysia.

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