Daylight
The most important properties of daylight are the continuous variation in intensity, direction and colour. This variation controls people's biological clocks. The biorhythm controls important life processes, such as hormone balance, moods, alertness and body temperature. Daylight is therefore essential for the proper functioning of humans.
Daylight may also enter - indirectly - through light openings in the internal partition of another room where daylight enters directly.
Prospect
Most people find a good view important. A poor view or little view can give rise to dissatisfaction. In addition, a view of the surroundings invites (unconscious) 'eye gymnastics'. The eye muscles relax only when looking far away. Especially with strenuous visual tasks such as computer work and reading paper, looking away into the 'infinite' every now and then can be very relaxing and stimulating. Good view means that from the workplace one has a view of the surroundings in addition to the surroundings.
- green
- the sky dome
- objects that are far away
Tips
- Place workspaces where people work more than two hours a day directly on the facade (i.e. preferably not on atria or conservatories).
- Take the elderly into account (due to a decrease in eye function, 50-year-olds need on average twice as high a light level as 40-year-olds) and the available illuminance.
- Use workspaces without daylight and views as much as possible for meetings or storage. If work has to be done in these areas, limit this to a maximum of 2 hours a day and/or designate the space as a quiet and interchangeable workplace.
Working Conditions Act
There are no specific requirements in the Working Conditions Act itself with regard to light and a view of the workplace. The Working Conditions Act does provide a general framework that should encourage optimization of lighting, among other things. Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Working Conditions Act states that the employer in general - so also when it comes to lighting - must strive to make working conditions as good as possible. This means that the employer must ensure 'as far as reasonably possible' that good light and views of the workplace are guaranteed and that exposure to harmful light is prevented.
Working Conditions Decree
Article 6.3 'Daylight and artificial light' of the Working Conditions Decree sets out the following minimum requirements with regard to lighting in the workplace:
- 'Workplaces and connecting roads are lit in such a way that the light present does not pose a risk to the health and safety of employees.'
- 'As far as possible, sufficient daylight enters workplaces and there are sufficient facilities for artificial lighting.'
- 'The artificial lighting facilities are installed in such a way that the risk of accidents is prevented.'
- 'The color used for artificial light must not alter or influence the perception of the health and safety signs'.
Article 6.4 'Protection from sunlight' also supplements this:
- 'In a confined space where work is performed, direct sunlight can be kept out'.
Building Decree
In addition to the Working Conditions Decree, the Building Decree also contains concrete requirements in the field of light. Especially when it comes to daylighting and emergency lighting. The Building Decree has no specific requirements in the field of view or general lighting.
More information
www.arboportaal.nl/onderwerpen/fysische-factoren/licht.html/