When most people think of explosion-proof lighting, they picture a workplace like an offshore oil rig or a petrochemical refinery where vapors with potential to ignite may be present and special lighting is necessary to keep workers safe. WorkSite Lighting LLC has long specialized in helping companies in the petroleum and chemical industries meet their specialized safety needs, but the Prairieville, Louisiana-based company has also provided lighting and power solutions for a wide array of industrial areas, some of which may be surprising.
While most people are familiar with the potentially explosive nature of vapors and chemicals found in refineries and plants, many people would be surprised to know textile and paper mills, paint booths and grain storage facilities also qualify as potentially hazardous environments where explosion-proof lighting would be necessary. For many years, WorkSite Lighting has worked with customers in widely varying industries, helping them understand the regulatory and safety needs of their workplaces. The company also helps its customers choose the right product for the job. But what defines the right product can change rapidly as new technology enters the workplace. WorkSite Lighting is always looking for ways to leverage innovative technology into products that are both effective and safe for workers in hazardous environments all over the globe.
“We place a high priority on meeting the regulatory needs of our customers while keeping the workers’ safety as our No. 1 focus,” said WorkSite Lighting CEO Bill Matthews. “As a company, we are committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations of quality and safety, and we take the time to help companies find exactly what they need for the job. Lighting is a crucial part of any safety plan, and we use both proven methods and new technology to address specific needs on the worksite.”
WorkSite Lighting pioneered the use of hazardous location LED lighting — one of the first companies to introduce the technology in a portable, explosion-proof design. It now offers a full line of hazardous location LED products, from hand-held flashlights to powerful LED light towers. LED technology is revolutionizing the market for both standard and hazardous location lighting. Helping businesses understand how to put LED to work for them is an important part of the consulting process for WorkSite Lighting.
“We offer a wide array of standard and explosion-proof LED lights, and we want to make sure the customer is aware of all the advantages of the new technology and how to apply it in the workplace,” said WorkSite Lighting Marketing Director Scott Madere.
Among the advantages LED provides are energy efficiency and a longer life span. LED lamps draw fewer amps than standard lighting, making the cost of running LED lamps much less than traditional options. Adding to the long-term cost savings of LED is LED lamps can last up to 50,000 hours under ideal conditions, which greatly exceeds the life span of standard lights. With no filaments to break or pop out of socket, LEDs are vibration resistant and can take abuse on a scale that does not work for standard bulb lighting. This is particularly important for portable lighting in the field as lights need to be able to withstand rough treatment whether they are put to work in the oilfield, on construction sites or offshore.
Portable LED lighting units typically weigh less than their standard counterparts and take up less space, which can be important in confined space and marine location lighting. With its low operating temperature, LED lighting is suitable for hazardous areas in which heat must be controlled. LEDs are always instant-on and also provide bright, true-to-color light, which allows workers to inspect areas without light taking on the yellowish hue of incandescent bulbs.
“LEDs are a superior product in many ways, and WorkSite Lighting has the resources and know-how to make them work for any setting. We are a one-stop shop for LED lighting products, and we are capable of addressing virtually any application,” said Madere.
In addition to portable LED lighting, WorkSite Lighting also offers fixed LED lighting services and will consult with businesses to achieve the best lighting profile for their workplaces, whether the location is hazardous or not.
WorkSite Lighting also provides portable power distribution products, which range from small GFCI boxes to huge framed units with panels and integrated transformers. These portable power distribution units play a critical role on a worksite, providing electrical power to places that otherwise would have difficulty powering tools and machines.
Portable power distribution units can transform high voltage inputs to lower voltage outputs, allowing for compatibility of voltage between power sources and tools needed on a site. Breaker boxes and main disconnect switches, often featured on these devices, can shut down power quickly in an emergency. It is not uncommon for portable power devices to carry a dozen or more receptacles to allow for simultaneous powering of multiple tools.
“Portable power distribution units are customizable according to the application,” said WorkSite Lighting Vice President of Business Development and Co-Founder Alex Robeau. “We can meet virtually any customer need, whether it’s related to voltage, number of receptacles, style of frame or a special mount.”
The wide number of applications that can be served by portable power distribution is nearly limitless, which is why WorkSite Lighting is always looking for new ways to help address the needs of workers in the field. One special portable power device developed with this spirit in mind is WorkSite Lighting’s new Welding Machine Six Pack. The Six Pack features a frame capable of holding up to six Miller XMT 350A series welding machines in one stack, eliminating chaos and trip hazards on the worksite by consolidating machines and organizing cables and power lines. The device also allows six welding machines to be powered out of one source, which can accommodate either 480 volts or 600 volts of power. The front panel of the Six Pack features eight 120-volt duplex receptacles — 116 outlets to power additional tools on a site. The Six Pack is framed with ASTM spec out steel. The unit also features a primary disconnect switch as a safety precaution, which can cut power to all devices powered by the unit at once.
The Six Pack, like WorkSite’s well-known Offshore Hazardous Light Towers, combines functionality with practical application. WorkSite Lighting’s 14-foot vertical mast on its Offshore Hazardous Light Tower is an innovation that helps preserve critical space on offshore oil rigs. Most towers use horizontal masts, which require extra space to raise. The vertical mast on WorkSite Lighting’s Offshore Tower takes no more space than the frame itself, which is also reduced for space considerations.
The Offshore Hazardous Light Tower also features a diesel-powered generator, which powers four LED area lights attached to the mast. Its ability to light a wide area from a compact footprint is unmatched, and as a bonus, the generator can also power tools on deck.
Regardless of how large or small the product, WorkSite Lighting provides parts and service for its customers and is available 24/7 to meet the immediate and emergency needs of industry. Its customers know doing business with WorkSite Lighting means more than a product purchase. It means having a team of specialists behind them, who can go the extra mile to meet customers’ needs.
Airgas On-Site Safety Services’ West Coast Regional Manager John van Kooy is a repeat customer with WorkSite Lighting.
“I don’t really even look for anyone else on lighting,” stated van Kooy. “WorkSite Lighting has my business. Their quality is always there, and they are able to always get what I need and in the timeframe I need it. That is worth everything to me.”
For special needs, WorkSite Lighting provides customization options on both lighting and portable power distribution. No challenge is too great or small, and with a leadership team with more than 80 years of manufacturing and industrial experience, WorkSite Lighting has the knowledge to address virtually any situation.
Most companies spend a great deal of time and resources planning and implementing a comprehensive safety strategy, but they often take for granted one of the most important aspects of a safe workplace: reliable, plentiful and appropriately rated lighting. WorkSite Lighting’s team of professional lighting and power specialists will perform on-site training on both products and regulations, and consult with businesses and their employees on how to make their work areas safer and more compliant with industry standards.
WorkSite Lighting is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.
For more information, visit www.worksitelighting.com or call (877) 861-5255.
