Laser Safety
The term laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Unlike other common sources of light, lasers emit light that is coherent and is monochromatic (one color).
Laser Safety
How are lasers classified and what hazards do they present?
Visible-beam lasers are classified according to the output power of the light beam and correspondingly, the increasing potential for causing injury to eyes and skin. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lasers into one of the following four major classes, including three subclasses (IEC classifications are included in parentheses):
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Class I (Class 1, 1M). Lasers in this category are considered non-hazardous and can be found in devices such as laser printers, CD players and DVD players.
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Class IIa and Class II (Class 2, 2M). Lasers in this category pose an ocular hazard when viewed for long periods of time and, especially, when optical aids are used. Class II lasers emit power in the range of 0 to 1 milliWatt (1 mW) power. Lasers in this category can be found in bar code scanners.
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Class IIIa (Class 3R). Lasers in this classification can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed or when staring directly at the beam with the unaided eye depending upon the power and beam area. Lasers in this classification can be found in laser pointers and emit radiation between 1-5 mW.
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Class IIIb (Class 3B). Lasers in this category pose a risk of immediate skin damage from a direct beam and immediate eye damage when viewed directly. Lasers in this classification emit between 5 and 500 mW of power. Class IIIb lasers can be found in laser light show projectors, industrial lasers and research lasers.
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Class IV (Class 4). Lasers in this category pose an immediate skin and eye hazard from direct or reflected beam. Lasers in this category can also be a fire hazard and emit 500 mW or greater power. They are found in laser light show projectors, industrial lasers, research lasers and medical devices for eye surgery or skin treatments.
What can I do to protect myself and others?
Proper personal protective equipment, especially eye protection of the appropriate tint, should be worn whenever working with lasers other than Class I lasers or when assisting others who are using laser devices. Before operating the laser device, ensure that all necessary enclosures are in place. Do not enter areas where warning signs are posted about lasers in use unless authorized to do so and equipped with proper eye protection.
Employers must perform a job hazard assessment and provide the appropriate PPE, especially eye protection of appropriate tint, to employees using laser devices. In addition, they must train employees about the hazards associated with the classes of lasers they will be using. Where laser devices (other than Class I) are present, the employer should appoint a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and establish a Laser Safety Committee to manage the laser safety program for the facility. This is especially important if Class IIIb and Class IV laser devices are being used.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
An example PPE hazard assessment is available and can be customized to fit workplace conditions. Employers are required to perform a workplace hazard assessment to determine what personal protective equipment is necessary to protect employees from continued exposure to identified hazards. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.
Training and Outreach Services
The presentation on personal protective equipment can be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.
In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
Additional information pertaining to personal protective equipment, hierarchy of controls, and radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing can be found on the safety and health topic pages.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
There are no specific OSHA general industry standards for laser hazards. However, the following standards adopted by the OSH Division can be applied. This is not all inclusive.
Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart G - occupational health and environmental control
- 29 CFR 1910.97 - nonionizing radiation
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I - personal protective equipment
- 29 CFR 1910.132 - PPE, general requirements
- 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand protection
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart J - general environmental controls
- 29 CFR 1910.144 - safety color code for marking physical hazards
- 29 CFR 1910.145 - specifications for accident prevention signs and tags
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart D - occupational health and environmental controls
- 29 CFR 1926.54 - nonionizing radiation
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart E - personal protective and lifesaving equipment
- 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1926.102(c)(2) - laser protection
- 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
Recordkeeping
- Refer to Recording and Reporting
General Duty Clause
Additionally, N.C. General Statute 95-129(1), commonly referred to as the General Duty Clause, may be applied for recognized serious hazards not covered by a specific NCDOL standard.
Other Applicable Standards
In addition, the Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards that can be applied to occupational exposure to laser hazards in construction.
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards that can be applied to occupational exposure to laser hazards in general industry.
Other Regulatory Bodies
- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Radiation Protection Section is mandated to regulate all sources of radiation, both ionizing and non-ionizing, including: the inspection and registration of all ionizing radiation producing machines, such as medical and industrial x-ray, and electron microscopes; the inspection and licensing of all radioactive material and accelerators; and the inspection and registration of all tanning equipment.
Compliance Documents
- OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015) provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers.
Alliances
- Additional information about lasers and laser safety can be obtained through the webpages for the OSHA - Laser Safety Institute (LSI) Alliance.
Technical Assistance
- Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.