HANDLING & SAFETY

Due care and attention should always be taken when handling light bulbs, no matter what type they are. The following information will help you handle them safely.

All energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) contain trace amounts of mercury. You should keep in mind that mercury is a toxic substance, so CFLs must be handled with care.

Use the Appropriate Lamp for Your Fitting

Always install the correct lamp (or light bulb) for your fitting. Some lamps may look very similar but may have quite different heat characteristics that could cause damage or fire risk.

Many lamps contain gases at either greater than or less than atmospheric pressure and may either explode or implode if the glass is broken. This can cause a significant hazard. Lamps should not be disposed of by breaking them unless appropriate protective equipment is used and environmentally sound disposal methods are followed.

Use an Appropriate Lamp for Outdoor Fittings

Most lamps are designed for use indoors or in closed luminaries (ie protected from the elements). Please ensure that you use an appropriate lamp for outdoor applications, particularly in open fittings or luminaries. GLS or golf ball style lamps can only be used in uncovered outdoor applications if the fitting includes appropriate watertight features and the bulb wattage is no more than 25W. Larger wattage bulbs are prone to cracking if splashed with rain while hot.

Don't Exceed the Maximum Wattage

Always observe the maximum wattage and bulb shape specified for a light fitting or lampshade. Failure to do so may lead to damage to the fitting or even a fire risk. Lampshades are generally rated both for the maximum wattage and recommended shape of bulb. For example a large shade may be rated for use with a 100W GLS bulb whereas a smaller one, or one with more delicate fabric, may specify a 40W golf ball. Never use a physically larger bulb than that specified (eg a GLS bulb instead of a golf ball) since this will bring the hot surface of the bulb closer to the fabric and risk burning. Low energy compact fluorescent lamps emit far less heat than equivalent incandescent bulbs and can often be used in applications requiring greater light output.

Light Bulbs and Heat

Please remember that light bulbs are often hot in operation and should always be installed in such a way as to minimise the possibility of personal injury and the risk of fire. Many bulbs actually emit more energy as heat than they do light and should never be placed close to combustible materials or furnishings. Please check the packaging of the bulb before you install it and make sure you adhere to any manufacturer’s guidelines on safety distances etc.

Safely Disposing of Used Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Energy Saving Lamps have a life span of up to 10,000 hours, which means the are designed to last for many years. However, when the time comes to dispose of your old CFLs, the best method is to recycle them in your local council’s hazardous waste collection scheme, as you would paint, batteries etc. Most councils have drop off locations where you can safely dispose of these hazardous items. It’s a good idea to contact your local council or visit their website for advice and collection details. If you don't have access to a CFL recycling scheme, you can store them in a safe place until there is a recycling program set up in your area.

Safely Cleaning Up a Broken CFL

Its a good idea to take extra precautions to minimise your mercury exposure if a CFL globe gets broken. Follow these steps:

1. Open windows to air the room.
2. Put on some disposable gloves.
3. Carefully clean up the broken glass (dont use a vacuum cleaner, you can use sticky tape to pick up small pieces).
4. Wipe the affected area with a damp paper towel.
5. Place the glass fragments, plastic gloves, sticky tape and paper towel in sealed, doubled plastic bags for safe disposal.

Mercury and the Environment

Although CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, using CFLs is much better for the environment than using standard, energy hungry incandescent light globes. That’s because the mercury and carbon emissions CFLs prevent from going into the atmosphere, through a reduced need for electricity, far outweighs the mercury that’s contained inside CFLs.

You should always handle bulbs with care and store them appropriately to minimise the likelihood of glass breakage. If you do break a bulb, please remember that some bulbs contain harmful substances and should be handled accordingly. Traditional incandescent lamps pose little or no threat except that of the broken glass and can be dealt with as regular waste. Fluorescent tubes and most discharge lamps contain potentially harmful chemicals that should be handled with care and disposed of in accordance with your local waste authority rules and health and safety policies.