Laser Safety
Working With Lasers
Laser safety is covered by the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010. This requires protection of the eyes and skin from exposure to hazardous sources of artificial optical radiation (AOR). AOR includes light emitted from all artificial sources in all its forms such as ultraviolet, infrared and laser beams, but excludes sunlight. Most sources of AOR are safe. Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, as defined in British Standard BS EN 60825-1: 2014, are classed as hazardous sources of light that present a ‘reasonably foreseeable’ risk of harming the eyes and skin of workers. If you use hazardous sources of light, control measures are needed to reduce the risk of harm to the eyes and skin to as low as is reasonably practicable.
Links
Departmental Policy (S-COP J)