Laser Hazards

Hazard Recognition

The following references aid in recognizing laser hazards in the workplace.

Laser Hazard Classes (source: U.S. FDA Laser Hazard Classes)

Class FDA	Class IEC	Laser Product Hazard	Product Example
I	1, 1M	Considered non-hazardous. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids, including magnifiers, binoculars, or telescopes.	laser printers CD players DVD players
IIa, II	2, 2M	Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods of time. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids.	bar code scanners
IIa, II	2, 2M	Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods of time. Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids.	bar code scanners
IIIa	3R	Depending on power and beam area, can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed or when staring directly at the beam with an unaided eye. Risk of injury increases when viewed with optical aids.	laser pointers
IIIb	3B	Immediate skin hazard from direct beam and immediate eye hazard when viewed directly.	laser light show projectors industrial lasers research lasers
IV	4	Immediate skin hazard and eye hazard from exposure to either the direct or reflected beam; may also present a fire hazard.	laser light show projectors industrial lasers research lasers medical device lasers for eye surgery or skin treatments

Non-Ionizing Radiation: Standards and Regulations. OSHA Slide Presentation.
Introduction to Laser Safety. OSHA Slide Presentation.
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (January 20, 1999).
- Laser Hazards. Provides information to assist industrial hygienists in the assessment of work sites for potential laser hazards. Provides information on biological effects, hazard classifications, investigation guidelines, control measures, and safety programs.
  - Warning Signs. Provides a few examples of warning signs that may be used to alert workers of potential laser hazards.
- Hospital Investigations: Health Hazards. Contains information that will assist in the recognition and evaluation of laser hazards within hospitals. Describes lasers as a potential hazard in the hospital environment and identifies areas to investigate.
- Physical Agents. Identifies the acute effects of laser exposure and states that chronic effects are unknown.
Hazard of Laser Surgery Smoke. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (April 11, 1988). Links potential airborne biological hazards with the use of lasers during surgery.
Laser/Electrosurgery Plume. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Non-Ionizing Radiation. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Mining Topic: Lasers. National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH).
10 Steps to Starting a Medical Laser Safety Program in Health Care Facilities Fact Sheet. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (November 2014). Assists health care facilities establish a medical laser safety program. The fact sheet focuses on the basic information needed to establish an effective laser safety program in health care facilities such as hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics and medical spas.
Hazards of Laser Welders, Cutters, Heat Treaters and Punch Presses. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (November 2009). Addresses hazards associated with using high-power welders and cutters in industrial settings.
Introduction to Laser Safety. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (May 2015). Provides an introduction to lasers and exposure hazards.
Laser Beam Safety Scheme: Why your health care organization needs to implement an effective medical laser safety program. OSHA and The Joint Commission (TJC)/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) Alliance, (March 2015). Discusses laser safety in healthcare facilities and provides information on laser classification, laser hazards, and emphasizes the need for medical laser programs.
Laser Effects on the Human Eye. OSHA and Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (November 2009). Focuses on the effect lasers have on the human eye.
Laser Safety Checklist. OSHA and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Alliance, (June 2011). Provides guidance for perioperative personnel to ensure a safe environment for patients and health care workers during the use of laser technology.
Laser Safety Information Bulletin. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (September 2006). Focuses on the concerns and issues related to laser safety.
Preventing Injury from Laser Skin Treatment. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (November 2009). Provides information on the potential injury from lasers used for dermatological purposes such as tattoo removal, vascular lesions, and other dermatological surgery.
Questions That An OSHA Inspector May Ask You About Laser Safety Fact Sheet. OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) Alliance, (November 2014). Provides some of the questions that an OSHA Compliance Officer may ask during inspections of facilities with lasers.