Environmental Health & Safety
Laboratory Safety Unit
Laser Safety for Research and Teaching Laboratories
Printable file is available with Adobe Acrobat Reader:
PDF Version of Research Laser Safety Program
- CONVERTING TO A CLASS 1 ENCLOSURE LASER
- Protective Housing: House the laser system within a protective enclosure to prevent the escape of laser radiation above the MPE. The protective housing shall prevent personnel access to the laser system during normal operations. Personnel entering the enclosure to perform maintenance or adjustment tasks shall be made aware of the higher risks and comply with the control measures for the higher risk laser class.
- Safety Interlocks: Commercial lasers should have installed safety interlocks whenever the protective enclosure can be opened, removed, or displaced. When activated, these interlocks shall prevent a beam with a radiant energy above the MPE from leaving the laser or laser system. Service adjustments or maintenance work performed on the laser system shall not render the interlocks inoperative or cause exposure levels outside the enclosure to exceed the MPE, unless the work is performed in a laser area with limited access and appropriate safeguards, supervision, and controls.
- Fail-Safe Design: The protective enclosure and the laser system shall be designed and fabricated so that if a failure occurs, the system will continue to meet the requirements for a Class 1 enclosed laser system.
- Modifications to commercial laser systems shall be evaluated. Contact the EH&S Laboratory Safety Unit for a review of the evaluation. If the modifications decrease the safety controls, an SOP will be required.
- Attenuated Viewing Windows: Use viewing windows containing a suitable filter material that will attenuate the transmitted laser radiation to the levels below the MPE under all conditions of operation.
- Warnings Signs and Labels: Label the enclosure with "DANGER [if a Class 3B or 4 inside] - ENCLOSED LASER" sign. Attach a label directly to the laser to give the laser classification in the absence of the enclosure. Make sure that the label can be seen immediately when the enclosure is opened.
Any laser or laser system can be converted to a Class 1 enclosed laser by including all the following controls in the laser system. These controls will effectively enclose the laser, thus preventing personnel contact with the emitted radiation while permitting unrestricted access into the area.
Continue to the next section - Protective Equipment
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail Questions.
This page last updated 7/11/2019. Disclaimer.
