The lighting risks specific to warehouses
HSE consistently identifies workplace transport and slips and trips as major causes of serious injury in warehousing. Lighting contributes directly to both. The recurring problems we find are:
- Dark rack aisles where high-bay luminaires sit over the racking rather than the aisle, or where new racking has been installed under an old lighting layout.
- Poor vertical illuminance on rack faces, making labels and barcodes hard to read at upper levels.
- Sharp transitions between a bright loading dock and a dim interior, which leave drivers briefly unable to see pedestrians.
- Glare from high-bay fittings into the eyes of reach-truck drivers looking upward.
- Presence detection that switches aisles off or dims them before a pedestrian has left.
The law and the standards
Regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires suitable and sufficient lighting, and HSE guidance HSG38 Lighting at work sets out minimum average and minimum measured values by task. For example, HSG38 suggests an average of 20 lx with a minimum measured value of 5 lx for movement of people, machines and vehicles where little detail is needed, rising to 50 lx average where limited perception of detail is required. These are floors, not targets. BS EN 12464-1:2021 provides the recognised design values, and our warehouse lighting standards page covers them in more detail.
| Warehouse zone | Maintained illuminance (BS EN 12464-1:2021) |
|---|---|
| Store and stock rooms | 100 lx |
| Manned rack aisles (at floor level) | 150 lx |
| Loading ramps and bays | 150 lx |
| Dispatch, packing and handling areas | 300 lx |
| Control stations and goods-in desks | 150 lx |
| Offices within the warehouse | 500 lx |
Uniformity matters as much as average level. Aisles need a uniformity of at least 0.40 so that there are no dark pockets between fittings, and packing benches are expected to achieve more. External yards and service roads fall under BS EN 12464-2:2024, which sets lower values for outdoor handling areas.
Who will ask for evidence
HSE
Warehouses and distribution sites are generally enforced by HSE. After a forklift collision or a fall, inspectors will look at whether the lighting was suitable for the task and whether you had assessed it. A recent lux survey, with a record of actions taken, is strong evidence that the risk was managed.
Insurers, landlords and clients
Insurers increasingly ask for lighting evidence at renewal or after a claim. Landlords may require it at handover or at lease end. Third-party logistics clients sometimes write lighting performance into site audits. Your fire risk assessor will also want to see that emergency escape lighting has been checked against BS 5266-1:2025.
What we measure on a warehouse survey
- Horizontal illuminance on a grid along every representative aisle type, at floor level, giving average and uniformity.
- Vertical illuminance on rack faces at pick heights where labels must be read.
- Readings at packing benches, goods-in desks, battery charging areas and loading bays.
- Transitions between bays, yard and interior, noting where drivers move from bright to dark.
- Behaviour of presence and daylight controls, including how quickly lights reach full output.
- Escape route and open-area emergency lighting levels where included in scope.
We take readings with daylight contribution minimised where possible, so the results reflect a night shift or a dull winter afternoon. Our article on common lighting failures covers what usually causes a failed reading.
Racking changes and LED projects
Any change to racking height, aisle width or layout should trigger a lighting check, because a scheme designed around the old layout can leave new aisles in shadow. The same applies to LED high-bay replacement projects. A before-and-after survey protects you if a contractor's scheme underperforms.
Battery charging, mezzanines and offices
Do not overlook the smaller areas. Battery charging bays need enough light for safe connection and inspection, mezzanine stairs and pallet gates are frequent trip points, and warehouse offices are often lit below the 500 lux that applies to screen work. Goods-in desks where paperwork and labels are checked also need more than the general store value. Including these in the survey avoids a report that passes the aisles but misses where people actually get hurt.
Book a warehouse lighting survey
We carry out warehouse surveys across London, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire and the wider South East. Our warehouse lux survey service starts from £320, with the price confirmed before booking. Book a warehouse survey and we will agree a scope that covers your aisles, docks and packing areas.
Frequently asked questions
What lux level does HSE require in a warehouse?
HSE does not set a single figure but expects suitable and sufficient lighting under the Workplace Regulations 1992. HSG38 gives minimum values, and BS EN 12464-1:2021 recommends 150 lux in manned rack aisles, 100 lux in stores and 300 lux in packing areas.
Do warehouse aisles need vertical light on the racking?
Yes, where people read labels or pick from upper levels. Horizontal floor readings alone can look acceptable while rack faces are too dark to read safely, so we measure both.
Can motion sensors cause a lighting compliance problem?
They can if they switch off or dim too quickly, have blind spots or take time to reach full output. Controls should be set so occupied aisles are always lit to the required level.