Libu circadian lighting in surveillance buildings

Libu circadian lighting, which is integrated into ceiling tiles, has proven its effectiveness in reducing employee drowsiness, particularly among night workers (surveillance buildings, etc.).

Shift work affects approximately 20% of the workforce in industrialized countries and is steadily increasing, particularly among women. In France, 15,2% of employees work night shifts, with a marked prevalence in the service sector. This type of schedule profoundly disrupts the body's biological clock, potentially leading to sleep disorders, increased metabolic and cardiovascular risks, and decreased alertness.

Although this observation is extensively documented by organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization), ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), and HAS (French National Authority for Health), measures to mitigate these effects are rarely implemented in companies. It is within this context that the company Libu undertook to evaluate the practical effectiveness of its circadian lighting system in work environments with atypical hours.

A field study among night workers

The experimental study took place at three sites involving night work: monitoring facilities and an emergency call center. At each location, two types of Libu solutions were installed: LED panels integrated into suspended ceilings and autonomous mobile streetlights. The main objective was to measure, under real-world working conditions, the impact of lighting adjusted to the biological rhythm on the health and well-being of the operators.

The collected results reveal clear trends:

• 12% reduction in drowsiness during service;
• 15% reduction in reported stress level;
• 11% improvement in sleep quality;
• 3% increase in mood index.

For Manon Loustau, co-founder of Libu: « This study provides a starting point for further exploration. We often discuss the consequences of night work, but rarely the solutions. Lighting remains a blind spot in the design of shift work environments, even though it directly influences biological rhythms. »

A technology designed for environments with high operational requirements

This experience is part of a broader approach: to offer circadian lighting specifically designed for demanding environments, where maintaining vigilance and continuity of operations are imperative.

In partnership with Nexee, a specialist in the ergonomics of surveillance workstations, Libu has collaborated on the design of major projects, including those for Suez, Enedis, and SNCF. Together, they work in areas subject to non-conventional schedules or continuous activity, such as urban video surveillance centers (CSU), emergency call centers (like SAMU), network supervision stations, and police stations.

For Cyril Tentelier, founder of Nexee: « Companies understand that quality office design is not just about compliance, but plays a key role in performance and retention. By combining ergonomics and circadian lighting, night shift workers can achieve the same level of comfort and alertness as those on standard shifts. »

These projects demonstrate an evolution in the design of workspaces for employees with irregular hours. By becoming an active factor in improving quality of life at work, lighting is emerging as an essential preventative tool for night work.

Since Libu lights are easy to integrate, consider circadian lighting for all your construction/renovation projects.

Methodology of the study:

The study was conducted with 36 employees at three Enedis sites working night shifts. Standardized questionnaires (PSQI, Epworth, PSS, Hamilton) were administered before and after the installation of Libu circadian lighting, allowing for the measurement of changes in sleep, stress, drowsiness, and mood under real working conditions.