UCSD Blink: Laser Safety Program: Laser Hazard Classifications

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Laser Safety Program: Laser Hazard Classifications

Summary: Read about laser hazard classifications and requirements used in UCSD's Laser Safety Program.

Laser hazard classification is based on the ability of the primary laser beam to cause biological damage to the eye or skin during intended use. UCSD researchers must determine the hazard classification of each laser or laser system they obtain or fabricate.

Controls required by UCSD's Laser Safety Program are determined by the hazard classification of a laser or laser system and how and where it will be used.

Follow the Laser Safety Program requirements specified by hazard class:

Note: Laser safety training is required for anyone working with class 3b or 4 lasers or laser systems. Training is recommended for personnel working with class 1, 2, and 3a laser systems containing embedded class 3b or 4 lasers.

Hazard classification		Description and requirements
	Class 1	Class 1 laser beams are considered safe and incapable of producing damaging radiation levels during normal operation. Example: CD/ DVD players Class 1 lasers and laser systems are exempt from control under the Laser Safety Program. Best practice: Follow general engineering control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures. Back to top
	Class 2 and 2a	Class 2 and 2a are low-powered lasers with an output of approximately 1 milliwatt (mW) of continuous wave. All class 2 lasers operate in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum of 400–700 nanometers (nm). Example: barcode scanners Eye protection is usually afforded by aversion response and blink reflex (0.25 seconds). However, a class 2 laser beam could be hazardous if one were to intentionally expose the eye for longer than 0.25 seconds. Class 2 and 2a lasers and laser systems are exempt from control under the Laser Safety Program. Best practice: Follow general engineering control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures. Back to top
	Class 3	Class 3 lasers and laser systems can emit any wavelength and may be hazardous under direct and specular viewing conditions, but diffuse reflection is usually not a hazard. These lasers are usually not a fire hazard. Class 3 lasers and laser systems are exempt from control under the Laser Safety Program. Best practice: Follow general engineering control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures. Back to top
	Class 3a	Class 3a lasers operate at 1–5 mW of continuous wave. Example: laser pointers Class 3a lasers and laser systems are exempt from control under the Laser Safety Program. Best practice: Do not view the direct or reflected beam. Follow general engineering control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures. Back to top
	Class 3b	Class 3b lasers operate at 5–500 mW of continuous wave. Specific control measures are required to prevent direct or reflected beam viewing. Principal investigators must meet these requirements for class 3b use: Obtain Laser Use Authorization (LUA) prior to use. See Laser Use Authorization for details. Provide and document laser safety training for personnel using class 3b laser equipment. See Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers for details. Provide and document medical surveillance for personnel using class 3b laser equipment. See Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers for details. Register all class 3b lasers or laser systems with EH&S. Follow class 3b control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures, in addition to general engineering control measures. Back to top
	Class 4	Class 4 lasers and laser systems operate at greater than 500 mW (continuous), can emit any wavelength, and are considered an eye, skin, fire, and diffuse reflection hazard. The most stringent control measures have been established for these lasers. Specific control measures to prevent eye and skin exposure to direct and diffusely reflected beam are required. Principal investigators must meet these requirements for class 4 use: Obtain Laser Use Authorization (LUA) prior to use. See Laser Use Authorization for details. Provide and document laser safety training for personnel using class 4 laser equipment. See Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers for details. Provide and document medical surveillance for personnel using class 4 laser equipment. See Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers for details. Register all class 4 lasers or laser systems with EH&S. Follow class 4 control measures described on Laser Hazard Control Measures, in addition to general engineering control measures. Back to top
	Class to be determined	Manufacturers are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to label lasers with a hazard classification. In cases where the laser class is unknown (for example, if a researcher fabricates a laser or laser system), do the following: Contact the EH&S Laser Safety Officer, (858) 822-2850, to evaluate and classify the laser system. Back to top

Determining hazard classification: UCSD's Laser Safety Program adheres to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1-2000 system of classifying Continuous–Wave (CW) Lasers (PDF) and Single Pulse Lasers (PDF) according to their relative hazards.

If you are a UCSD campus employee with questions, contact EH&S Laser Safety, (858) 822-2850.