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Office of Security, Safety and Risk Management

Laser Safety Rules

Class 1 Lasers

  1. A warning sign indicating the laser classification should be placed in a visible location on the laser.

Class 2 Lasers

  1. Do not stare at the laser or permit any person to stare at the laser beam.
  2. Do not point the laser at a person's eye.

Class 3 Lasers

  1. Never aim a laser beam at a person's eye.
  2. Use proper safety eyewear if there is a chance that the beam or hazardous specular reflection will expose the eyes.
  3. Only experienced personnel should be permitted to operate the laser. Never leave an operable laser unattended if there is a chance that an unauthorized person may attempt to use it. A key switch should be used. A warning light or buzzer should indicate when the laser is operating.
  4. Enclose as much of the beam path as possible.
  5. Avoid placing the unprotected eye along or near the beam axis as attempted in some alignment procedures since the chance of hazardous specular reflection is greatest in this area.
  6. Terminate the primary and secondary beams if possible at the end of their useful paths.
  7. Use beam shutters and output filters to reduce the beam power to less hazardous levels when the full output power is not required.
  8. Make sure that any spectators are not potentially exposed to a hazardous condition.
  9. Attempt to keep laser beam paths above or below either sitting or standing position eye level.
  10. Operate the laser only in a well-controlled area. That is, in a closed room with no windows and controlled access.
  11. Label lasers with appropriate Class III danger statements and placard hazardous areas with danger signs.
  12. Mount the laser on a firm support to assure that the beam travels along the intended path.
  13. Assure that individuals do not look directly into a laser beam with optical instruments unless a adequate protective filter is present.
  14. Eliminate unnecessary specular (mirror-like) surfaces from the vicinity of the laser beam path.

Class 4 Lasers

  1. Enclose the entire laser beam path if at all possible. If this is done, the laser device could be considered to be a less hazardous classification.
  2. Confine indoor laser operation to a light-tight room with interlocked entrances to assure that the laser cannot emit when a door is open.
  3. Insure that all personnel wear adequate eye protection, and if the laser beam irradiance represents a serious skin or fire hazard that a suitable shield is present between the laser beam and the any persons in the room.
  4. Use remote firing and video monitoring or remote viewing through a laser safety shield where feasible.
  5. Use beam traverse and elevation stops on outdoor laser devices to assure that the beam cannot intercept occupied areas or intercept aircraft.
  6. Use beam shutters and laser output filters to reduce the laser beam irradiance to less hazardous levels whenever the full beam power is not required.
  7. Assure that the laser device has a key-switch master interlock to permit only authorized personnel to operate the laser.
  8. Install appropriate signs and labels on entrances, switches and anywhere an unauthorized person might mistakenly activate the laser.
  9. Remember that optical pump systems may be hazardous to view and that once optical pumping systems for pulsed lasers are charged, they can spontaneously discharged, causing the laser to fire unexpectedly.
  10. Use dark, absorbing diffuse, fire-resistant targets and backstops where feasible.