A critical analysis was performed of legislation regarding lighting conditions in working environments. It is shown that the Royal Decree 486/1997 uses a version of the traditional approach to lighting design as conceptual framework, in which: (1) Only the effects of light related to visual system performance are considered. (2) The quantitative effects associated with changes in type of lighting (different coloured lights) are ignored. A review was carried out of the aspects of lighting which should be taken into consideration to complement those included in the traditional approach. These aspects were: (1) Differentiation between photometric and apparent illumination. (2) The type (colour temperature) and quality (colour rendering index) of illumination. (3) The effects of lighting on the health of workers owing to its influence on the functioning of the circadian system.
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