30 October 2025

Poor lighting – hidden cause of accidents in agriculture and construction

Poor work lighting is underestimated as a risk in both construction and agricultural work. Tripping, misjudgments and accidents often occur in situations where visibility is restricted, and darkness, shadows or glare can be contributing factors.

– Many accidents happen at dawn, dusk or inside dark buildings and machine halls. 
When lighting is properly positioned and sufficiently bright, it improves visibility, reduces eye fatigue and allows you to work more accurately. This makes work both safer and more efficient,” says Stefan Ekblad, assortment developer at Olsson Parts, who has long experience of different types of lamps and who knows how quickly accidents can occur when lighting is not prioritised.

When darkness becomes a safety issue
According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority, falling and tripping are among the most common types of accidents in the construction and agricultural sectors. The Authority’s guidelines mention lighting as an important factor when it comes to preventing incidents of this type. Yet despite this, inadequate lighting is rarely listed as a separate category in accident statistics – showing how easily this risk is overlooked in everyday life. In legal cases, the Swedish Labour Court has also highlighted inadequate lighting as a contributing factor in accidents on construction sites, and research conducted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, among others, demonstrates that poor lighting can contribute to misjudgments, incorrect working postures and accidents in stables and machine environments.
“It’s not just a matter of seeing properly, but also about being able to judge distances, obstacles and materials correctly. Good work lighting should provide even, natural light without any harsh shadows or glare,” says Stefan Ekblad.

LED technology improving the working environment 
Modern LED lighting has developed rapidly and is significantly improving the working environment for those who operate tractors, construction machinery and other work vehicles. The difference compared to older halogen lamps does not just relate to brightness, but also to colour temperature, angle of divergence and energy efficiency.

Easier to choose the right lighting 
Choosing the right work lighting can be difficult, but websites like lights.olssonparts.com allow users to compare different lamps in respect of brightness, range and intensity, based on tests carried out in real-life environments, making it easier to find a solution that meets your needs.