Unlocking employee productivity: The role of WELL buildings

Greenlite explains how embedding sustainable lighting design into your warehouse can boost productivity and profit.

Picture, if you can, 3,000 vast Wembley Stadiums sprawling across the UK landscape. That’s how much additional warehouse space was leased or purchased between 2007 and 2018, largely in a bid to keep up with our growing demand for online retail and discount grocery shopping.

According to figures from property research firm CBRE, the requirement for warehouse space has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. And with available square footage fast running out, there’s little doubt this unprecedented demand will lead to an increase in construction.

Productivity and profit

But amidst this boom, let’s not forget the workforce powering every warehouse. From packers, to forklift drivers and managers, these people are the beating heart of the industry, and it’s safe to say that without them, growth wouldn’t be possible. In fact, unlocking their productivity is more essential than ever, and we at Greenlite believe the answer lies in their immediate environment.

Workforce wellbeing

Increasingly, it’s becoming clear that if we invest in sustainable workplaces that prioritise staff wellbeing, productivity will flourish, with a resounding boost to the bottom line. That means creating well-lit, comfortable and safe environments – what we at Greenlite call WELL Warehouses.

Indeed, it’s no accident that lighting is one of the ten concepts central to the WELL Building Standardâ , a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring how the built environment impacts our health. The WELL Building Standardâ recognises that light output, lighting controls and task-appropriate illumination are all important factors when it comes to energy, mood and productivity.

Lighting the way

The backbone of wellbeing, lighting plays an integral role when it comes to our physical and emotional health. Imagine walking into a dingy warehouse, poorly lit by fluorescent strips. The strips flicker, at times inducing headaches, while their gloomy light casts patches of shadow.

Now imagine entering a bright warehouse, which is evenly lit and with a combination of LED high bays, spotlights and task lighting. Visibility is crystal clear, making work infinitely easier for pickers and packers.

A safer solution

Slips and trips (which account for around a quarter of injuries sustained in warehousing) are easier to avoid, and pallet truck drivers have improved lines of sight. Importantly, the workforce feels safer. As a result, stress levels are lower and morale becomes higher.

A customised design

With the option of sensors, dimmers and a varying colour spectrum, the lighting can also be directly focused around the needs of the team. Lux levels can be adjusted across a 24-hour period, ensuring everyone has the right level of light at the right time, while motion detectors ensure every nook and cranny is bathed in light whenever necessary. Staff – including those working the night shift – also feel alert and invigorated, their bodies less desperate for sleep.

Peace of mind

LEDs give peace of mind for managers too. Fixtures have far longer lifespans, meaning less man hours spent on complicated repair jobs, replacing hard-to-reach bulbs. Of course, there are the energy savings to consider too. Energy-efficient LEDS last up to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs, which spells vast benefits for the bottom line.

What next?

So, whether you’re looking to improve your existing warehouse, taking on a new lease or even constructing a new space, why not contact us to find out what good lighting design can do for your business? We’re also urging those in the industry to take part in our WELL Warehouse survey, and tell how lighting improvements have changed your workspace for the better. To find out more click HERE.