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Introduction

People in virtually all fields of occupation use lasers and laser systems everyday. Industry use lasers in all kinds of consumer products. Lasers that are utilized for their appropriate purposes do not pose a hazard to the public. However, lasers do present a very real danger in the research community when not used properly or when individuals do not use appropriate protective equipment to prevent injury from the laser light.

Classification of lasers relate to the potential for the laser beam to cause injury and not from any ancillary hazards that may be present with the laser system.

The American National Standard Institute (ANSI), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Device and Radiological Health (CDRH) classifications vary according to the class of laser. The following classifications are a general outline incorporating all three schemes. Specifics on the classifications may be found by referencing the standards and the regulations. The standards and regulations are available from EH&S.

Class I:

1. Usually in the visible region;
2. Not considered hazardous;
3. Exempt from controls;
4. In some cases, a higher class, such as III or IV, is enclosed and is classified as a Class I; however, during times of service or maintenance the classification may change to reflect the exposure to the Class III or IV;

Class II:

1. Visible lasers emitting above the Class I level of power;
2. Output power less than 1 mW;
3. May produce an injury if stared at for longer than the aversion response time of 0.25 seconds, called a chronic viewing hazard;
4. Will not produce a skin burn;

Class IIA:

1. Not for continuous viewing longer than 1000 seconds;
2. Visible light which can produce greater than Class I power;

Class IIIA:

1. Can be an intrabeam viewing or chronic viewing hazard;
2. Power level less than 5 mW CW;
3. Can be invisible (ANSI) or visible (CDRH);

Class IIIB:

1. Acute hazard to skin and eye from the direct beam;
2. Visible or invisible;
3. Power level less than 500 mW CW, 10 J/cm 2 pulsed;
4. Diffuse reflections may be a hazard if operation is at full power and viewing is close to the source of reflection;

Class IV:

1. Acute hazard to skin and eye from direct and scattered light;
2. Power levels exceed Class III levels;
3. Fire hazard.

Applicable ASU Policy

Applicable Guidelines

Applicable Regulation

Summary of Requirements

Laser safety training, documentation, inventory, standard operating procedures (SOPs), inspections and protective equipment are some of the standard requirements of the plan.

Training

All people that operate Class IIIb and Class IV lasers or laser systems must obtain training on the hazards associated with the equipment and proper safety control measures.

Reporting

Reporting requirements are per the Laser Safety Plan and involve documentation of training and inventory of lasers by the principal investigator and/or lab supervisor.

Inspections

The Laser Safety Officer conducts inspections of laser facilities. Inspection findings are forwarded to the investigator denoting areas of noncompliance with the plan

Recordkeeping

Records of training and inventory must be kept by the investigator in each department and the Laser Safety Officer.

Updated 11/21/06

Mailing Address: PO Box 873804, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3804
Contact Email: EHS@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-1823
FAX:  (480) 965-0736