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Notable exceptions are some public houses, cafes and
coffee bars, and ladies' hairdressers, where parts of
the premises are dimly lighted in an effort to produce
a 'discreet atmosphere'. Fortunately the areas behind
bars, in kitchens, and other parts of such premises
where the bulk of the work is done are usually
adequately lighted and one would hesitate to destroy
the cherished atmosphere by insisting upon brighter
lighting in the public parts even though some work,
eg serving of meals or beverages, is done there.
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 Annual Report 1965
Special report on lighting standards.
In accordance with the requirements of Ministry of
Labour LA Circular 9 (Supplement No 1) the
following observations are submitted in connection
with investigations made during the last three months
of the year, and in particular during November.
Generally, lighting standards in those parts of offices
and shops constructed in recent years and open to the
public are excellent, though there have been instances
where overlighting, particularly in food shops, has
produced so much heat as to affect adversely the
keeping quality of foods displayed. In stock rooms and
other parts of the premises lighting is less brilliant but
in most cases adequate, though there have been
instances where light fittings in stock rooms have been
badly placed in relation to shelving, necessitating the
turning of one or the other so that the maximum
light is shed along aisles instead of at right angles to
them.
In older premises the situation is less satisfactory and
a great deal of advice has been given to occupiers.

Excessive glare is seldom encountered, but in a small
number of modern office rooms with very large
windows readings of up to 200 lumens per square foot
were obtained on desks close to the windows and
exposed to full sunlight. Glare from artificial
lighting can usually be eliminated by minor adjustments
to fittings or the installation of diffusers.
With some exceptions mentioned below, the age of
premises and the length of time they have been in the
same occupation appears to have a greater influence
on the standards of lighting in use than does the class
of work carried on. Generally, the older premises are
badly lighted except where there has been a recent
change of occupier and the opportunity has been
taken to improve standards.
what may be considered 'suitable and sufficient' in During the month of November 1965, a sample
offices and shops in the expectation that when survey was carried out and the results are tabulated
statutory standards are prescribed they will be broadly below in the manner suggested in paragraph 3 of the
on similar lines. Circular.
Lumens per square foot at working place
Offices
Shops
Selling areas
Other parts
Less than 5
6
7
31
More than 5 but less than 10
22
9
35
More than 10 but less than 15
42
10
25
More than 15 but less than 25
53
25
39
More than 25
84
58
35
As a result of informal action, many of the
sub-standard installations referred to in the table, have
already improved. Most occupiers accept the fact that
while the cost of installing improved fittings is
substantial there is a subsequent saving in running
costs, and better lighting enhances the quality and
quantity of work produced.
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