Keep It Bright, Keep It Safe

The best option is to place the light towers in such a manner that they shine away from oncoming traffic, as this positioning creates optimum visibility for drivers traveling through the construction area. In addition, tilting the fixtures down 20 degrees increases the efficiency of the light tower by focusing the light on the jobsite and minimizing the amount reflected skyward. Another important technique places the light towers on each side of the site so they face each other. This helps reduce shadows and eliminate dark areas to increase construction site visibility for workers.

While advances in technology have made a significant difference, some portable light towers may still produce a small amount of glare, which can temporarily blind motorists, compromising the safety of both drivers and construction crews. However, glare can be easily corrected by angling the light fixtures down while employing a visor. This curved piece of aluminum attaches to each fixture to prevent light from traveling in an undesired direction. In addition, a visor can reflect light back to the ground to increase its intensity on the site. This tool's benefits are two-fold: it decreases the driver's possibility of being distracted by light while increasing the efficacy of the light itself.

The Next Level

Following the tips above will help create a higher level of safety for workers and bystanders alike. But as safety around construction zones continues to improve, so does the technology going into light fixtures themselves.

Today's towers are engineered to help eradicate common lighting challenges contractors have faced for decades. For example, light fixtures are now designed to help eliminate "hot spots," an area that receives a high concentration of light while another location is left in the dark. These fixtures distribute light more evenly to cover a job site more efficiently. Some manufacturers are also producing light fixtures developed with strategically positioned reflectors that maximize the light produced by the lamps, further increasing the safety of crews operating under the stars.

Automatic lighting sequence and command control systems have also improved job-site safety and security. These systems automatically turn lights on and off at a set time, eliminating manual operation. Photocell sensors start the unit's power at dusk and shut down the tower when the sun rises. This removes the need for a person to take time away from a job to turn the light tower on and off, while lowering the risk of accidents caused by operators crossing busy construction areas.

Light towers are easier to transport from job to job, thanks to units designed to withstand the rigors of travel. This engineering reflects how today's light towers are created with portability in mind. Instead of modifying permanent stadium or parking lot lighting, portable towers offer the durability necessary to stand up to the demands of a job site. These advances in technology and design have not only made portable light tower usage safer, but have also created better lighting for work environments.

Allmand Bros. Inc., established in 1938, is a leading manufacturer of a wide variety of portable light towers, jobsite heaters, compact tractor loader backhoes, Port-A-Lite™ light stands, and solar arrowboards.