What Are the Advantages of Proper Workplace Lighting?

Proper workplace lighting is often an overlooked aspect of creating a conducive and efficient work environment. Yet, the impact of a well-lit workspace goes beyond mere visibility. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of proper workplace lighting.

The Challenge

Improper lighting in the workplace is a prevalent problem that adversely affects both employees and customers. Dimly lit spaces, burnt-out bulbs, and inadequate illumination contribute to an environment that not only hampers productivity but also tarnishes the company’s image.

What Are the Advantages of Proper Workplace Lighting?

The Solution

Proper workplace lighting is a solution that improves customer perception, cuts electricity costs with energy-efficient options, and boosts employee productivity by reducing eye strain and stress. It’s a direct way to enhance safety, save money, and create a positive work environment

Enhanced Customer Branding

Have you ever walked into a business where the lights were dim or bulbs burnt out? Poor lighting gives the impression of neglect. Burnt-out bulbs or dim signs leave a poor first impression on customers.

Brightly lit signs, on the other hand, act as inexpensive advertising and contribute to enhancing your brand. A well-lit, inviting atmosphere is more likely to attract and retain customers, leaving a positive and lasting impression.

Electricity Cost Savings

In the era of traditional incandescent bulbs, our focus was often on wattage as an indicator of brightness. However, this approach led to unwittingly purchasing bulbs that consumed more electricity. The key metric for evaluating efficiency is lumens per watt (lm/W). Modern LED bulbs, for instance, can output the same lumens as incandescent bulbs but with significantly lower wattage. By adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions, businesses can substantially cut electricity costs, contributing to both environmental sustainability and financial savings.

Modern LED bulbs

Increased Productivity

From an employee’s perspective, proper lighting in the workplace plays a crucial role in preventing eye strain, fatigue, headaches, stress, and accidents. Striking the right balance is essential – too little light can impede productivity, while excessive brightness can lead to discomfort and health issues like glare-induced headaches. By ensuring optimal lighting conditions, businesses can foster a healthier and more productive workforce. 

What Are the Advantages of Proper Workplace Lighting?

Improved Morale

A well-lit workspace contributes to a positive and uplifting atmosphere, positively influencing employee morale. Adequate lighting is associated with increased alertness, better mood, and reduced stress levels among employees. In contrast, a poorly lit environment may lead to dissatisfaction, lethargy, and a lack of motivation.

Enhanced Security and Reduced Safety Hazards

Properly lit workplaces enhance security by reducing blind spots and deterring potential intruders. Well-lit surroundings also contribute to a safer working environment by minimizing the risk of accidents.

Enhanced Security and Reduced Safety Hazards

Employer Requirements

According to section 186(1) of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, employers are obligated to ensure sufficient lighting at work sites to enable safe work. Beyond legal compliance, proper lighting is a cost-effective measure to eliminate or control potential safety hazards.

Imagine a workplace where not only are your electrical systems automated but also well-lit, contributing to increased productivity and employee well-being. If your business faces the challenge of improper workplace lighting, Current Group is your partner in illuminating success. Our comprehensive suite of services goes beyond traditional electrical solutions, integrating cutting-edge technology to create workplaces that are not only competitive and consistent but also efficient. We understand that the challenge of improper workplace lighting is a common concern for businesses seeking operational excellence. Our suite of services, ranging from electrical automation systems and control panel fabrication to process control, aligns seamlessly with the benefits of proper lighting. Contact Current Group today for innovative electrical automation solutions that illuminate success!

As winter approaches, cattle ranchers face the critical challenge of ensuring their herds maintain optimal health and growth despite the harsh conditions. One often overlooked factor is the temperature of drinking water, which plays a significant role in the overall well-being and productivity of range cattle during cold months. In this article, we will explore how water temperature impacts water consumption and growth performance and how Current Group’s Open2O cattle trough heater can make a difference by preventing freezing and ensuring water availability.

The Impact of Access to Water on Cattle Health

Research consistently shows that water availability is critical to cattle’s water intake, especially during winter. Frozen water can drastically reduce consumption, as cattle cannot access the necessary water. This leads to dehydration and increased energy expenditure, as cattle use more energy to maintain their body temperature in the cold. 

This increase in water intake is crucial because it correlates with higher dry matter intake (DMI), which is essential for maintaining body weight and overall health during the cold season.

According to Jon DeClerck, Ph.D., cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition, “Water is the most essential nutrient for cattle production,” says “It’s used for regulating body temperature, growth, reproduction, lactation, digestion and many other bodily functions. Water also drives intake for mineral, forage and supplements. And while we typically worry more about water intake in summer, it’s equally as important in cold weather.”

“For fall calving herds, water requirements go up drastically during lactation. Cows hit peak lactation right when water is at risk of freezing up. With spring calving herds, water access is key to avoid stress and long-term performance impacts to both the cow and unborn calf.”

Consequences of Inadequate Water Intake in Winter

When cattle do not have consistent access to water due to freezing conditions, the consequences can be severe. Insufficient water intake leads to dehydration, reduced feed intake (which affects nutrition), and poor growth performance. Instead, energy that should be used for growth is used to maintain body temperature, leading to weight loss and a decline in body condition. Additionally, water shortages can disrupt rumen fermentation, nutrient absorption, and overall cattle health, further compromising productivity.

Ideal Water Temperature and its Effect on Your Herd

Ensuring that water is available to cattle throughout winter is crucial to their hydration and growth. However, a balance needs to be met in terms of your water temperature.

Kate Hornyak, OSU Extension Program Coordinator, Delaware County, says, Keeping the ideal temperature of drinking water for cattle is a balance – it should neither be hot nor frozen.” – “It’s interesting to note that steers with access to cool drinking water have shown to gain an additional 0.3 to 0.4 pounds per day compared to those consuming warmer water. This underscores the importance of regularly checking the temperature of water, especially in waterers equipped with heaters, to avoid what’s known as a “runaway” – a situation where the water gets too warm.”

Cattle Trough Heater Open2O: Preventing Frozen Water

To address the challenges of water freezing during the cold season, Current Group offers the Open2O advanced electric device, an innovative solution designed to monitor water temperature and regulate the power to the heating element. Unlike traditional heating systems that continuously warm water, Open2O ensures that water remains just above freezing, reducing energy consumption and ensuring that cattle always have access to water.

Features of Open2O Water Controller

  • Power Savings: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has multiple temperature inputs, which allows it to monitor water temperature every 30 seconds and turn on the heating elements only as needed. This optimized control has been proven to cut substantial power usage, with an estimated minimum of 53% power savings.
  • Real-Time Water Consumption Report: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O system provides real-time reports on water consumption, which allows cattle operators to monitor water intake per animal. This data helps identify potential issues early on, as it compares water usage across different troughs, signalling if a problem arises with any specific bowl. Accurate water consumption data supports better animal health analysis, ensuring every animal is adequately hydrated.
  • Alarm Options for Consumption and Temperature: The Cattle Trough Heater Open2O has alarm options that alert operators to unusual consumption patterns—whether too high or too low—indicating potential issues like a broken water line. The system also notifies operators if the water temperature drops too close to freezing.
  • Labour and Stress Reduction: With Open2O’s remote monitoring capabilities, feedlot operators no longer need to send staff out in cold temperatures to check water bowls. Instead, they can view the software and confirm that all water sources remain open, reducing labour costs and management stress year-round.

 

With these features, Open2O provides a comprehensive solution to prevent water bowls from freezing, monitor water consumption, and support cattle health through the cold months.

Critical Benefits of Cattle Trough Heater Open2O

  • Prevents Water from Freezing: Open2O ensures that water remains accessible, avoiding water freezing in bowls.
  • Energy Efficiency: By regulating the power to the heating element, Open2O conserves energy, reducing costs while maintaining water availability.
  • Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand harsh winter conditions, Open2O ensures uninterrupted access to water throughout the cold months.
  • Improved Growth Performance: By preventing frozen water, Open2O supports cattle hydration, feed utilization, and overall growth performance.


Providing unfrozen drinking water during winter is more than just a comfort for cattle—it’s essential to maintaining their health and growth. With the Open2O device from Current Group, ranchers can ensure that their cattle have continuous access to water, even in the coldest months. Invest in cattle trough heater Open2O today to secure your herd’s health and boost your bottom line this winter.