Laser Safety Training Program

Laser emissions potentially could cause physical harm to individuals, the most serious
concern is damage done to the eyes. Generally of lesser concern is the damage it might to
the skin and other soft tissue areas.
It is for this reason that we have a Laser Safety Program. This program has an annual
renewal certification requirement for anyone using lasers. It is meant to cause you to use
safe practices through suggestions given in the training and to make you aware of where
potential problems might arise.
Although the program is of lesser interest to those just using laser pointers, nevertheless,
such users should read the section covering them..

What is a Laser?
It is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is
important because it refers to an energy transfer using visible or invisible light, which
energy transfer might have the consequences associated with energy transfers or release.
Light amplification refers to the bundling of individual photons into packets, thereby
resulting rather than a low intensity emission results in a high intensity emission of a
highly directional beam of light. These high intensity, highly directional beams of one
wavelength of light is what makes lasers so useful but also potentially dangerous as they
can cause alteration to skin or retinal objects. Sometimes these alterations to biological
systems are intended as used by dermatologists and other medical professionals.
The laser, if directed, reflected, or focused upon an object will be partially absorbed by
the object, thereby raising the temperature of the surface and/or the interior of the object,
potentially causing an alteration of deformation of the material. However, it should be
pointed out, unless the reflected beam is allowed to be absorbed over a long period of
time it is normally of minor concern. It is the quantity of power absorbed which is the
concern and longer absorptions are equivalent to more energy being absorbed. (Reflected
or not the following is part of a story where reflected light nevertheless cause great harm.
It involved an army veteran and involved exposure to the relatively weak neodymiumyag laser beam. Retinal damage resulted from a 6-millijoule, 10-nanosecond pulse of
invisible 1,064-naniometer radiation. He wasnt wearing goggles at the time. The person
heard a distinctive popping sound caused by a laser-induced explosion at the back of the
eyeball. I dont go into the feeling or effect on his vision but no one would ever want the
experience. Remember that many laser lights are not in the visible region and thus are
easily intercepted accidentally. Even if visible, if the user is using laser goggles, as one
should, the light might also be undetectable. ) Reflection from mirror like surfaces is
particularly hazardous as there is no attenuation of the light upon reflection.
The properties of a laser have been applied to many areas from laser surgery to altering
the surface of objects thereby causing alteration of the object, for example identifying

labels on soda cans. Although skin damage caused by inappropriate accidental exposure
is a concern, often the change although painful, the skin damage might be repaired. On
the other hand, retinal or cornea damage might be permanent and debilitating. The eye
does not have dead cells to protect it from the environment. Ultraviolet light does most
damage to the cornea as it is usually absorbed at the surface of the eye. On the other hand
visible and infrared light penetrates the surface of the eye and is brought to focus on a
very tiny spot on the retina. This might result in retinal injury. It is these concerns toward
which safety programs are mostly but not solely directed.
Hazards might be caused not only by the light emitted from a laser but by the equipment
used in laser research, from laser pointers, and sometimes even from laser light shows.
These will be commented on below. It might be useful to see how lasers are classified
and then their safety levels will be deduced from that.

Laser Classification
The following guidelines are not meant to be a complete description but simply a brief guide
for some systems commonly in use. Most users of specific hazardous laser systems have the
expertise to determine safe use practices. A determination of the classification for any
particular laser system can be obtained from labels on the equipment.
Class 1: This class denotes lasers or laser systems that do not, under normal operating
conditions, pose any hazard. Any completely enclosed laser (such as those found in CD
ROMs, fiber optic systems or laser printers) cannot have emissions exceeding the maximum
permitted exposure (MPE) under any conditions are class 1 systems. However, the repair of
such laser systems may be hazardous if such repair involves the use of the laser with the
enclosure removed or partially removed. No external labels are required for this class but
internal warning labels reside beneath cover panels may be necessary to assure safe servicing.
Class 2A: This class of lasers includes low power visible lasers (0.4 to 0.7m) that will not
produce a hazard if the beam is viewed directly for periods less than 1000 seconds (about 16
minutes). Very few lasers fall within this class. Any visible laser with a total output power
less than 1 milliwatt but greater than a few micro watts may be Class 2.
Class 2: This class of lasers is visible lasers that are intense enough that the entrance of the
beam into a human eye will cause the normal aversion response. Additionally, the normal
aversion response time of 0.25 seconds ensures that no permanent damage will occur.
However, as is possible when viewing the sun, it is possible to overcome this normal
aversion response with resulting damage to the eye.
Class 3A: This class of lasers includes those emitting ultraviolet or infrared light as well as
those emitting visible light. All systems falling within the Class 1 AEL (Allowed Exposure
Level) with laser output between .18m and 1mm fall into this class.
Class 3B: This class of lasers includes the same laser output spectrum as class 3A but
increases the output level to that of Class 2 AEL.
Class 4: Any laser that exceeds the Class 2 AEL falls within this class. Most every laser that
produces an excess of .5 Watts is in this class.
Laser pointers are becoming more common in classroom use and require some safety
precautions also. Most pointers are Class 3A laser devices. Please refer to appendix A on the
safe use of laser pointer.

The hazard evaluation extends beyond the hazards associated with the laser output alone.
Many laser systems also have associated risks involving chemical dyes, radioactive isotopes,
high voltage, burns, laser generated air contaminants or primary and secondary x-ray
emission.

Safety Concerns
The last paragraph above lists most of the concerns associated with laser safety. In
addition the exposure to high line voltages during repair of equipment has caused a
disproportionate number of injuries. For this reason it is encouraged to bring in a trained
technician to repair equipment.
It has been observed when equipment was on with a laser beam passing
uninterrupted through an area where one might have easily exposed their eyes or other
parts of the body. There must be shields so these beams could not be accessed
inappropriately.
A laser as a pointer is commonly used in lectures. Whereas these were low
powered when they first came out, their power is now often at the 3A levels.
During most lectures, pen sized laser pointers have essentially replaced the
pointing stick as a pointer. The red dots of light are generated by small battery driven
lasers. The most common types are either helium-neon and diode lasers. The HeNe laser
are Class 2 lasers which means momentary viewing of the uninterrupted beam will not
cause eye injury. Thus for the healthy individual, a reflex reaction causes the eye to blink
in 0.7 sec and insufficient power is absorbed to cause significant damage to the eye. But
most diode lasers, which produce light that is a deeper red than the HeNe laser are Class
3A. Direct viewing of these pointers can potentially cause eye injury. Most Class 3A
lasers have danger labels. Generally it is a better practice to us a pointer which does not
have a danger label.
Although seemingly esoteric, big problems have resulted from a laser accidentally
pointed at a law enforcement officer. To the officer this means someone has the officer in
sight for being shot. Pilots have been blinded by laser pointers too. It this case, the
reflected light beam blinded the pilot and caused an incident. One on medication or
whatever, which might slow reflexes, might lead to injury too. So treat such pointers with
caution.
In the laboratory, not only must the beam be positioned such that it can not be
accidentally interrupted by someone, appropriate safety equipment must also be available
and used. Thus, glasses with the appropriate lens to filter the wavelength of light being
used are to be available and worn when the light is lit.
It should be pointed out that infra-red light versus ultraviolent light affect the eye
differently. The ultraviolet light affects the surface of the eye (cornea) and the infra-red
affects the back of the eye (retina).
To avoid accidental exposure to the beam by one not knowing the laser is on and
dangerous, room doors to the laser are to be equipped with an interlock switch and

appropriate warning signs outside the laboratory. Once the door is opened the interlock
switch causes the power to shut off the laser. It is up to the user to inform others when not
to enter the room and thereby affect their experiment.
In addition to having an interlock so the laser shuts down when a door is opened, signage
is also important especially when the beam is assessable when one enters an adjoining
room into the area where the laser is on. The problem with simple signage is that it
becomes unnoticed with familiarity. Additional warning must also be in place like a gate
which required minor unlocking before being able to pass into the other room.
The principal investigator or laser user must instruct other users about the hazards of their
equipment. This should include not only the dangers associated with the particular
wavelength of the laser but whether the light is pulsed, continuous, Q-switched, modelocked, gated, or other.
It is appropriate for such users to have their eyesight evaluated before using their
equipment so that any damage to their eyes might be related to a baseline and extent of
injury evaluated.

Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)

This is the level of laser radiation to which an unprotected person may be exposed
without adverse biological changes in the eye or skin.
There are a number of conditions which might affect the MPE or its limit.
There is the blink reflex. This is the involuntary closure of the eyes as a result of
stimulation by an external event such as an irritation of the cornea or conjunctiva, a bright
flash, the rapid approach of an object, and auditory stimulus. The ocular aversion
response for a bright flash of light is assumed to limit the exposure of a specific retinal
area to 0.25 sec or less. Of course eth wavelength of light must be of a value whereby the
eye detects it.
Correction factors include CA which increased the MPE in the near infrared (IRA) spectral band (0.7-1.4 um) based upon reduced absorption properties of melanin
pigment granules bound in the skin and in the retinal pigment epithelium.
There is CB which increases the MPE in the red end of the visible spectrum (0.450.60 um), because of greatly reduced photochemical hazards.
MPE is also increased for ocular exposure because of preretinal absorption of
radiant energy in the spectral region between 1.15 and 1.40 um is represented by CC.
CE is used for calculating the extended source of MPE for the eye from the point
source MPE, when the laser source subtends a visual angle exceeding Alphamin.
Finally, CP is the correction factor which reduces the MPE for repetitive-pulse
exposure of the eye.
There are also times of exposure corrections to be made.
MPE is expressed in either J.cm-3 or W.cm-2

To learn more about MPE refer to the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers
put out by the Laser Institute of American, Section 8 and referenced appendices Tables
5a through Table 7. There are other sections in this publication which might be read for
even more insight.
Summary
In summary, exposure of the eyes are to be avoided by using shields, appropriate goggles,
using interlocks to shut down the laser when the room is entered while the laser is on, to
avoid indirect and direct exposure, use of detecting cards when the light can not be
visually detected, among other means of avoiding anyones ocular exposure.
Because of the high voltages which are associated with the laser, equipment repairs
normally should be done by a repair technician. There have been a number of
electrocutions of those not familiar with the systems who were trying to repair or modify
their equipment.
In addition to the hazards presented to the eyes, similar precautions should be taken to
avoid skin exposure.
Laser pointers normally present a lower level of hazard but exposure of law enforcement
officials, individuals operating mobile equipment, and individuals with poor reflect
reactions present their own unique vulnerabilities and so such lasers should be handled
with due caution.
An Actual Case Indicating Caution Always a Priority
Recently, a Nd:YAG laser job shop had trouble with consistency from several
of their lasers. Burn patterns revealed uniform, near Gaussian beams. Shop
managers and operators were perplexed. But when viewed with a CCD camera and
beam analyzer software, they found a beam that was highly distorted and off axis.
Have you checked yours recently?

Quiz
1. What does MPE stand for?
a. Minimum possible exposure
b. Maximum possible exposure
c. Minimum potential exposure
d. Maximum potential exposure
e. None or all of the above
2. If the laser light can not be visually observed, the danger level is
a. Nonexistent
b. Of very low concern
c. Possibly of great concern

d. Taken care of by blink reflex

3. All hazards associated with lasers are only with the laser light
a. T
b. F
c. T & F
4. Laser stands for Light Stimulated by Amplified Emission of Radiation
a. T
b. F
c. Close
5. Any dark or very dark goggles are effective in absorbing laser radiation and
should be used when operating a research laser.
a. T
b. F
c. Possibly
6. Infra-red and ultraviolet light of similar energies affect the eye is a similar
fashion.
a. T
b. F
c. Sometimes
7. Reflected light for any surface has a similar level of potential danger
a. T.
b. F.
c. No relevance
8. Regardless of what choice you too to 7, explain your answer.

9. Are all laser light systems continuously on, without any interruption.
a. Yes
b. No
10. Although not covered in the preceding material, are all laser light emissions only
of one and only one pure wavelength?
a. If yes, explain
b. If no, explain