Glare is not only annoying and distracting— but it can also be bad for your health. In addition to being a major contributor to eyestrain and headaches, glare can also cause back or neck strain if we’re unwittingly adjusting our posture in order to get a more comfortable view of the task at hand.
Think glare might be an issue? Follow these tips to avoid (or correct) glare in your workspace:
- Place workstations between rows of overhead lights to reduce the chance of light bouncing off shiny surfaces (like your smartphone) and reflecting into the eyes.
- Position monitors perpendicular to natural light sources such as windows.
- Choose light fixtures that diffuse or concentrate light, such as fixtures with parabolic louvres.
- Be sure to cover any exposed bulbs with lenses, louvres, or shades.
- Don’t rely on a single bright light to illuminate a space. Instead, opt for a layered approach in your lighting plan by incorporating a mix of ambient, task, and accent lights.
- Incorporate a task light on your work surface. Choose task lighting that is easy to position exactly where you need it and has an adjustable intensity (dimming).
Example of layers of lighting.
As common as glare issues are in the workplace, solutions are fortunately easy to implement. Once the causes of glare are identified and any small adjustments are made, it can make all the difference in worker comfort and productivity.