Safety in the workplace has never been as important of a subject as it is today. But it hasn't always been like that. Two centuries ago people used to work with no protection and endless hours while being exposed to the elements. In the past 50 years things have changed drastically though as regulations, equipment and/ or safety devices have become part of every workplace.
Some of those devices have been industrial warning lights which are also used commercially to keep people safe during a hazard. They do so by flashing a beam that can be seen from far away. When paired with a sounder alarm you don't get a better solution in this case.
Benefits of LED Beacon Lights
Efficient
LED warning lights have become one of the most popular lights and one of the main reasons for this is their efficiency. LED lights in general are able to produce the same level of brightness with less power use than traditional lights. Therefore LED flashing warning beacon lights are able to reduce overall power consumption at your workplace which comes with some other benefits too.
Powerful
Despite being the most energy efficient, LED beacon lights are also one of the most powerful ones. That's because there isn't an actual bulb but instead a semiconductor that generates the bright light and it does so quite well. You'll be able to see the flashing light even in the corner of your eye.
Long-Lasting
The fact that LED lights are extremely efficient also makes them last the longest. Since there is very little to no power loss when they're being used, LED beacon lights are able to last on average up to 50,000 hours. Some can easily pass that number but you usually need to go over your budget a bit in order to have them installed.
Colours of Beacon Lights
Red
The first and most recognisable beacon light colour is red. Red light means there's a hazard or danger usually regarding heavy machinery and live equipment. If you see a red flashing light you should either move out of the way or stop where you are depending on the situation.
Amber
If you see an amber flashing warning light it means that you should be aware of an action happening nearby. It doesn't necessarily mean that you should stop or move away but you should be just aware of it. Therefore amber lights are commonly used for automatic doors of forklifts as they signify a potential hazard or low visibility conditions but not that you're in danger.
Green
When there's action underway, usually when an emergency of any sort is being dealt with, a green warning light is being used. In this case, there is no danger but just that the appropriate measures are being taken in regard to a certain potential hazard or issue that may or may not have taken place. Green lights are also used to indicate that everything is working as it should.
Blue
Blue LED warning lights are used to indicate that there is a certain change with a piece of equipment or an alarm. If, say, a certain type of equipment is being powered down you'll see a blue beacon light. Blue LED flashing lights are commonly used as an alternative to red lights as a way to tell people that there's a difference in the way certain equipment is powered on or off or when any critical processes are carried differently.
White
With white industrial warning lights, you can expect to see either large moving objects over a long distance or none of them, meaning poor visibility. White warning lights are also often used as alternatives to red LED flashing warning lights but typically over long distances. That's because the wavelength of white light travels further than red and thus it appears brighter.
Magenta
A magenta beacon light may not be as common as some of the above lights but it's used to signal danger from high levels of combustible gas. Once again, these lights are alternatives to red in conditions where people should be aware of immediate danger, meaning you need to take action be it by leaving or attending to certain types of equipment or machinery.
Types of Beacon Lights
Warning
The most popular are LED warning lights as they are the most effective. That's because warning lights are able to be seen by workers in the most secluded areas. Therefore warning LED beacons are commonly used to either reduce or prevent accidents since they can warn people of imminent dangers and potential hazards too.
Navigation
Navigation beacon lights are able to help people get to a safe space as they help make you aware of your surroundings. Navigation lights are used in poor visibility areas as they also help you stay away from hazardous areas.
Rotating
Rotating lights are found more commonly on vehicles rather than on buildings. They are used to indicate that a vehicle is in motion and others should stay off its path.
Signalling
Signalling beacon lights are used to notify personnel but not of a hazard or danger. In fact, they're used to stress that a certain road or entrance is reserved for certain vehicles or personnel.
