Laser safety FAQs

The main change is a separation of the standards and supporting guidance. We are taking this approach to make it clearer what is expected of departments and key people within those departments. This approach builds on the principle that everyone has a role to play in creating an action-oriented safety culture by being a good safety citizen. 

There remains guidance on how to achieve the standards and these are available on the Safety Office website. 

The standard and guidance should be understood by supervisors and line managers, especially those that oversee the use of high-risk laser systems. This is necessary to ensure appropriate management of laser safety, especially around the completion of suitable and sufficient risk assessments, selection of control measures, training, and service engineer control. 

The policy statement S2/24 defines high-risk laser systems as:

• any system where there is a foreseeable risk of exposure to a Class 3R, 3B or 4 laser beam
• any modification to a Class 1, 1M, 1C, 2 or 2M laser that increases the hazard above the maximum permissible exposure limit
• where there is a foreseeable risk of exposure to an embedded higher-powered laser by the intentional removal of enclosures or interlocks, including servicing or maintenance

[Note: The above covers the beam related hazards. Laser systems will inherently involve non-beam hazards as well (eg electricity, compressed or cryogenic gases, slips or trips and manual handling). These may pose significant risks and should be similarly assessed, with appropriate control measures implemented, as per other policy statements].  

Class 1 or 2 laser pointers, as labelled, should be used for presentation purposes within the University. The power output of these devices is unlikely to pose a significant risk. Users should still exercise caution and avoid pointing the beam at any individual.   

Some laser pointers are now available with quoted output powers of up to, or even over, 50mW, thus placing them in the higher class of lasers (such as Class 3R, 3B or 4). These pose a significant risk of injury, particularly as the likelihood of exposure from either direct or specular reflections is reasonably foreseeable when pointers are used for lectures and presentations.  Additionally, the classification of laser pointers from certain suppliers has been shown to be inadequate.  

This is particularly concerning with the introduction of green laser pointers. The eye is more sensitive to green light and so, although the power output may be similar, a green laser will appear brighter than say, a red laser. A correctly classified low powered green laser pointer should still pose a low risk, but individuals may experience some form of after image when it is displayed on a projection screen, particularly when viewed from close-by. If the green laser pointer is incorrectly classified, particularly one that emits a pulse of energy, then the risk may be significant.   

Individuals must ensure that laser pointers are obtained from reputable suppliers and that they are correctly classified. Lasers marked Class 3R, 3B or 4, or where the known output power is greater than 1mW, or whenever there is any uncertainty, must not be used as laser pointers without first obtaining approval from the departmental laser supervisor or university laser safety officer. 

Yes. This is referred to as the minimum specification for newly constructed Laser Controlled Areas.

It should be given to designers and project managers on any relevant capital project. It will form part of the University capital project philosophy documents.

Where an assessment identifies a specific risk with a laser system, then a hierarchy of control must be followed. For non-beam hazards these are outlined within individual University policy statements.

For beam hazards, the University’s preferred starting point for all lasers is fully enclosed with fixed guarding. If a risk assessment identifies that it's not practical to fully enclose the laser at all times, then it must be justified within the assessment and a suitable combination of engineering, administrative and personal protective controls identified.

In any event, the use of personal protective equipment must always be the last option and if necessary, there must be clear administrative controls to ensure it's correctly applied. If localised enclosures/guarding is not possible, then as a minimum all laser tables must be fitted with appropriate side shields.

This will depend on your laser risk assessment. If it's determined that there is a significant risk of someone who is not operating the laser (with prescribed controls) being exposed to a laser beam that could result in eye or skin injury, then a laser safety curtain, assessed against the British Standards, would be required. If the risk is not significant and the curtain is simply acting as a position barrier, then it would be reasonable to use a blackout curtain.

Yes, unless an alternative method of key control has been agreed with your departmental laser supervisor as part of the local rules.

Standard precautions are set out for Laser Controlled Areas within the British Standard 60825-14. For Class 3B or 4 lasers, this prescribes the need to 'ensure key security. This means that the operating key should be removed whenever the laser is not in use, to ensure and demonstrate that only those suitably trained and authorised are able to operate a particular laser.

It's best practice to remove the key and keep this under the control of the supervisor with a record of use maintained. It should not be possible for a non-authorised person to access a laser laboratory and be able to simply turn on a Class 3B or 4 laser. Therefore, the use of room access controls, key presses, defined key storage areas and the removal of keys after use all help achieve this requirement.

Your supervisor must determine the need for laser eye protection as part of the risk assessment process. Laser eye protection should only be used if all other types of controls have first been considered and where a risk of exposure to a laser above the maximum permissible exposure limit still remains. 

Where laser eye protection is deemed necessary, the following must be applied:

• there must be a documented in-house assessment of the required specification of eyewear for each type of laser, considering the varying wavelengths used and the degree of optical clarity required. The assessment must state both the optical density and ‘scale factor’ attenuation for all relevant wavelengths. It's not appropriate to rely on laser equipment suppliers to undertake this assessment or specify eyewear. Eyewear must be selected against the relevant standard, BS EN 207 for general use and BS EN 208 for alignment procedures
• there must be evidence, either on the frames or in accompanying documents, that the eyewear used is CE marked and conforms to the required standard. Eyewear that does not meet these requirements must be replaced
• the protective eyewear should be labelled indicating which laser(s) and wavelengths they're suitable for
• where multiple lasers are used in a single area, each set of protective eyewear must be unambiguously marked to ensure correct selection for the relevant laser
• when not in use, protective eyewear must be stored correctly to prevent damage. It must be stored in protective cases or suitable racking and not left on benches
• individuals must be trained in the selection, fitting, storage, and inspection of protective eyewear

Lasers are generally classed as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Therefore, whenever a new laser is purchased to replace an old laser, the supplier should be asked to dispose of the old laser as part of the purchase.

The University does not require you to undergo a routine ophthalmic examination before operating a laser. However, if you have any known pathological condition of the eye, you are asked to consult the University Occupational Health Service prior to commencing laser use. Your department should reiterate this point by asking you to complete the user declaration in the Laser User Authorisation/Training Record (LS-4).

No. These are Class 1 products, such that any high-powered laser is fully contained inside the equipment’s protective casing, preventing anyone from being exposed to the beam. If there's a need to remove the protective casing and operate the high-powered laser at the same time, then this would warrant closer attention and the departmental laser supervisor or university laser safety officer should be consulted.

It may depend on whether it's a University person or someone contracted. Either way, the person in control must identify the risks associated with a laser and who might be harmed. This will depend on the power of the laser, the type of laser and how it's to be operated. If the laser is capable of causing eye or skin injuries, then careful planning and operation of the laser is vital to ensure it does not expose an individual to harm. This will include controls such as positioning the laser significant above head height, using lasers that constantly scan or reducing power outputs. 

It's unlikely anyone in the University would be competent enough to fulfil that assessment/control. If external, the department will need to satisfy themselves that the contractor is competent and capable before deciding to go ahead with the event. At that point, the University's policy on the control of contractors would apply, in terms of insurance, contractor checks, contractor controls, documentation, and permits to work.