The principle lived by the entire SGB-SMIT Group of being "dedicated" covers all aspects of our activities - and this naturally includes paying particular attention to the working environment of our employees. After all, only under ideal working conditions can all potentials be exploited and outstanding products be created ...
As part of a continuous improvement process, STS, the service department of Royal SMIT in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, has taken care of the lighting quality at the workplaces in the assembly hall.
The basis for the planning was the European standard DIN-EN 12464-1.2011 (in the Netherlands NEN instead of DIN). It specifies the luminous intensity (in lux) that should "arrive" at different workplaces. In addition, correct ergonomic lighting design also involves aspects such as colour temperature, avoidance of glare and flicker, and direction of light. The aim is not simply to make the assembly hall brighter: Fatigue-free vision thanks to ergonomic lighting design is an important safety aspect - and if all work steps are put in the right light, this has a direct, literally "illuminating" effect on product quality.
And so, the colleagues in Nijmegen sought support from a lighting designer and supplier to ensure optimum working conditions. He made it possible for various solutions with different functionalities to be tested extensively. The colleagues working in the hall were always involved in the selection process. In the course of the planning it quickly became clear that the previous lamps with gas discharge technology were to be replaced by LED technology. This also brought another aspect into play: the LED successors require significantly less energy than the previous lamp technology, with better luminous efficacy. Which makes the decision sensible also from an economic point of view and, even more so, from an ecological point of view.
"For many applications, gas discharge lamps have been the adequate light sources up to now", says Mark Kobus of STS, "but in recent years LED lamps have again made enormous progress in development. Variable colour temperature, dimmability and immediately available maximum luminous efficacy - these are aspects that speak in favour of LEDs from a technical and ergonomic point of view. And then, of course, LED lamps are much more economical and durable.
The replacement of the total of 65 gas discharge lamps is currently taking place successively - with the effect that the difference between the previous lamps and their LED successors can be seen directly. "In a direct comparison, what the supplier has announced to us is even more impressive," Mark Kobus and his staff are pleased to say. "More safety, a more pleasant environment and lower energy consumption - this investment pays off in several ways".
The SGB-SMIT Group is involved in various working groups and projects for more ergonomics and safety in the workplace. Our efforts to create an optimal working environment for all employees range from individual measures such as the lighting exchange in Nijmegen to cooperation with health insurance companies.
