{"id":245,"date":"2015-02-27T17:16:23","date_gmt":"2015-02-27T17:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/?page_id=245"},"modified":"2026-04-14T20:20:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:20:53","slug":"safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Safety Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/i> \u00a0Safe Use of Lasers<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i> Safe Alignment of Class 3B & 4 Lasers<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i> \u00a0Primary Causes of Laser Accidents<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i> \u00a0Laser Classification Chart<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i> Responsibilities of the Laboratory Laser Safety Rep<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/i> Responsibilities of the\u00a0UGA Laser Safety Officer<\/a><\/p>\n

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE USE OF LASERS<\/h2>\n
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  1. During alignment and use of class 3B and 4 lasers, exclude unnecessary personnel from the laboratory.<\/li>\n
  2. Make sure that you have completed laser safety training before working with either a class 3B or 4 laser.<\/li>\n
  3. Never intentionally look directly into the beam of a laser.\u00a0 Do not stare at the light from any laser.\u00a0 Allow yourself to blink if the light is too bright.<\/li>\n
  4. Do not view a Class 3R or higher powered laser with optical instrumentation.<\/li>\n
  5. Never direct the beam toward other people.<\/li>\n
  6. Operate lasers only in the area designed for their use and make sure that the beam is terminated at the end of its use path.\u00a0 Never allow a laser beam to escape its designated area of use.<\/li>\n
  7. Position the laser so that the beam is well above or below eye level.<\/li>\n
  8. Always block beams with a diffuse reflecting beam block that is sufficient to handle the power of the beam.<\/li>\n
  9. Remove all unnecessary reflective objects from the area near the beam\u2019s path.<\/li>\n
  10. When working with lasers never wear jewelry or other items which may cause stray reflections.<\/li>\n
  11. Always wear laser safety glasses of the appropriate optical density when working with class 4 lasers.\u00a0 Safety eyewear is particularly important when working with class 4 invisible beams.<\/li>\n
  12. Only qualified personnel are permitted to work on laser power supplies.\u00a0 Laser repairs must be performed by qualified personnel.<\/li>\n
  13. Never direct a laser beam upward unless it is absolutely necessary.<\/li>\n
  14. Before working with lasers, make sure that all necessary safety parameters are in place as needed including:\n
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    1. Door Signs,<\/li>\n
    2. Safety Interlocks,<\/li>\n
    3. Laser in use Warning Lights,<\/li>\n
    4. Use of Laser Rated Safety Glasses of the Appropriate Optical Density,<\/li>\n
    5. Beam blocks and terminators, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE ALIGNMENT OF CLASS 3B AND 4 LASERS<\/h3>\n
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      1. Alignments should only be performed by individuals who have completed laser safety\u00a0training.<\/li>\n
      2. Exclude unnecessary personnel for the laboratory during alignment procedures.<\/li>\n
      3. Whenever possible, use a low power visible laser to simulate the path of the higher power laser that you are aligning.<\/li>\n
      4. Wear protective eyewear during alignment, and use special alignment eyewear when\u00a0possible.<\/li>\n
      5. When aligning invisible beams, use beam display devices such as image converter\u00a0viewers or phosphor cards to verify beam position.<\/li>\n
      6. Perform alignments using the lowest possible power setting for the laser.<\/li>\n
      7. Use a shutter or beam block to block high power beams at their source whenever\u00a0possible.<\/li>\n
      8. Make sure that beam blocks are laser rated, or are sufficient to safely terminate the\u00a0beam.<\/li>\n
      9. Use beam blocks and\/or protective barriers in conditions where alignment beams could\u00a0stray into unwanted areas.<\/li>\n
      10. Place beam blocks behind optics to terminate beams that might miss mirrors during alignment.<\/li>\n
      11. Locate and block all stray reflections at the first optical component before proceeding to\u00a0the next.\u00a0 Repeat procedure until all stray reflections have been accounted for and\u00a0blocked.<\/li>\n
      12. Double check to insure that all reflections have been properly terminated before beginning high power operations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        PRIMARY CAUSES OF LASER ACCIDENTS<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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        Note that 90% of all laser injuries have resulted from one or more of the first three items on this list.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

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        1. Unanticipated eye exposure during alignment<\/li>\n
        2. Misaligned optics and upwardly directed beams<\/li>\n
        3. Available laser eye protection not used<\/li>\n
        4. Equipment malfunction<\/li>\n
        5. Improper methods of handling high voltage<\/li>\n
        6. Intentional exposure of unprotected personnel<\/li>\n
        7. Operators unfamiliar with laser equipment<\/li>\n
        8. Lack of adequate protection from non-beam hazards<\/li>\n
        9. Improper restoration of equipment following service<\/li>\n
        10. Eyewear worn not appropriate for laser in use<\/li>\n
        11. Unanticipated exposure during laser usage<\/li>\n
        12. Inhalation of laser generated contaminants<\/li>\n
        13. Fires resulting from ignition of materials<\/li>\n
        14. Eye or skin injury of photochemical origin<\/li>\n
        15. Failure to follow guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          LASER CLASSIFICATION CHART<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
          Class<\/th>Definition<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          1<\/td>Very low power lasers that are safe under all conditions of normal use.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          1M<\/td>No known hazards to skin or eyes unless collection optics are employed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          2<\/td>Visible lasers with no known hazards for exposures of up to 0.25 seconds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          2M<\/td>Same as class two only may be dangerous if collection optics are used.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          3R<\/td>Visible or invisible lasers with a maxumum power of less than 5 mW.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          3B<\/td>Visible or invisible lasers that may be hazardous under normal conditions, and with a maximum power output of between 5 mW and 0.5 W. Usually not a skin hazard.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          4<\/td>High powered visible and invisible lasers that are an acute eye and skin hazard. The maximum power output is above 0.5 W.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
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          • All class 3B and 4 lasers must be registered with ESD using the form located on this site.<\/li>\n
          • Comercially available systems that contain completely embedded lasers are considered\u00a0to be class 1 systems (flow cytometers, etc.)<\/li>\n
          • All personnel who intent to work with either class 3B or 4 lasers must first take on line laser safety training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LABORATORY LASER SAFETY REP<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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            Responsibilities of the Laboratory Laser Safety Representative (from ANSI Z136.1-2007, Normative Appendix A3.1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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            1. Be responsible for the issuance of instructions and training materials<\/li>\n
            2. Do not permit laser operation unless controls are adequate<\/li>\n
            3. Submit names of individuals scheduled to work with lasers to the LSO<\/li>\n
            4. Immediately notify the LSO of laser accidents<\/li>\n
            5. Assist employees involved in an accident in obtaining medical attention<\/li>\n
            6. Do not permit operation of a new or modified laser without approval of the LSO<\/li>\n
            7. Submit plans for installation or modifications to installations to the LSO<\/li>\n
            8. Be familiar with the laser SOPs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Responsibility of Employees Working with Lasers (from ANSI Z136.1-2007, Normative Appendix A3.2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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              1. Energize or work with lasers only when authorized to do so<\/li>\n
              2. Comply with safety rules and procedures<\/li>\n
              3. Notify supervisor or LSO in case of potential accident or injury<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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                RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UGA LASER SAFETY OFFICER<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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                Responsibilities of the UGA Laser Safety Officer (from ANSI Z136.1-2007 Normative Appendix A 1.2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                1. Establish and maintain policies and procedures<\/li>\n
                2. Classify lasers or verify hazard class<\/li>\n
                3. Perform hazard evaluation of laser work areas<\/li>\n
                4. Specify control measures and assure implementation<\/li>\n
                5. Approve procedures and SOPs<\/li>\n
                6. Recommend and approve protective equipment<\/li>\n
                7. Approve signs and labels<\/li>\n
                8. Approve facilities, equipment, and modifications of the same<\/li>\n
                9. Assure adequate training of laser personnel<\/li>\n
                10. Determine personnel categories for medical surveillance<\/li>\n
                11. Maintain records<\/li>\n
                12. Perform periodic safety audits<\/li>\n
                13. Investigate laser accidents<\/li>\n
                14. Approve laser systems operation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \u00a0Safe Use of Lasers Safe Alignment of Class 3B & 4 Lasers \u00a0Primary Causes of Laser Accidents \u00a0Laser Classification Chart Responsibilities of the Laboratory Laser Safety Rep Responsibilities of the\u00a0UGA Laser Safety Officer GUIDELINES FOR SAFE USE OF LASERS During alignment and use of class 3B and 4 lasers, exclude unnecessary personnel from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-245","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12457,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions\/12457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}