Laser Safety Program: Requirements for Class 3B and 4 Lasers

Principal investigators (PIs) who acquire or fabricate class 3B or 4 lasers at UC San Diego must apply for an LUA before beginning work and must enroll personnel authorized to use the equipment in the Laser Safety Program.

• Read about how to get a Laser Use Authorization (LUA), enroll users, and register lasers.

Register all class 3B and 4 lasers or laser systems within UC San Diego jurisdiction with Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) prior to initial use.

• Read about how to get a Laser Use Authorization (LUA), enroll users, and register lasers.
• Read about laser hazard classifications used at UC San Diego.

EH&S will provide general laser safety training. The PI/ lab manager is responsible for providing laser system-specific safety training.

• Laser safety training is:
  • Required for personnel using class 3B or 4 lasers, including laser operators and maintenance and service personnel
  • Recommended for personnel working with class 1, 2, and 3R laser systems containing embedded class 3B or 4 lasers

See Laser Safety Training to learn how to meet the training requirements.

• Baseline eye exam: Faculty, staff, and students working with class 3B or 4 lasers or laser systems should consider participating in the baseline eye exam to:
  • Provide a baseline against which damage (primarily ocular) can be measured in the event of an accidental injury
  • Identify certain individuals who might be at special risk from chronic exposure to selected continuous-wave lasers
  • Please contact the Laser Safety Officer at ehslaser@ucsd.edu if you choose to have the baseline eye exam
• Post-injury requirement: Personnel using class 3B or 4 lasers must receive an eye examination as soon as practical (within 48 hours) after a suspected laser eye injury. Promptly refer individuals with:
  • Known or suspected eye injuries to an ophthalmologist
  • Skin injuries to a physician
  • Refer to the Laser Emergency Procedures for medical attention.
• Send a summary of medical reports, including specific test results, to the Laser Safety Officer at ehslaser@ucsd.edu
• Costs: Costs associated with medical surveillance exams are the PI's responsibility. University-provided medical insurance programs do not cover work-related medical surveillance.

Prepare a written standard operating procedure (SOP). A written SOP is required for class 4 lasers and strongly recommended for class 3B lasers.

• Write a SOP for your laser or laser system.
  • Read Laser Hazard Control Measures for UC San Diego researchers before writing your SOP.
  • Adapt this sample Laser Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Template (Word file) rather than starting from scratch.
• Include this information, at a minimum, in your SOP:
  • A statement that Class 3B and 4 lasers may only be operated, maintained, and serviced by authorized personnel listed on the LUA, or by the manufacturer's representative
  • Emergency call list
  • Description of safety features
  • Description of protective equipment laser operators must use
  • Specific operating procedures, from start-up to shut-down
  • Specific alignment procedures
  • Safety checklist, either provided with the equipment or developed by the PI
  • Emergency instructions
• Keep the SOP near the laser, readily available for use by operators and service personnel.
• Survey the workplace periodically to ensure compliance with your SOP and laser safety requirements.
• Notify EH&S Laser Safety if the laser system will be modified, possibly resulting in additional laser hazards and a change in procedures.

Be prepared for an accident or emergency.

• Make sure employees and visitors are familiar with:
  • Laser Accident Emergency Procedures
  • Safety equipment, including the eye wash and emergency shower, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and Emergency Guide

Provide and require use of appropriate personal protective equipment. The EH&S Laser Safety Officer, (858) 822-2850, is available to assist PIs with hazard calculations and fit for correct eyewear as required for LUA approval.

• Eyewear: Laser safety eyewear is required in the presence of class 3B and 4 lasers. The eyewear must provide sufficient protection for the user.
  • When selecting eyewear, consider:
    • Wavelength of laser output
    • Potential for multi-wavelength operation
    • Optical density
    • Visible light transmission
    • Femto second rated, if applicable
    • Peripheral vision
    • Need for prescription glasses
    • Degradation of absorbing media, such as photo-bleaching
    • Capacity of the front surface to produce specular reflection
    • Radiant exposure or irradiance and the corresponding time factors at which laser protective eyewear damage occurs, including transient bleaching
    • Strength and shock-resistance of materials
    • Comfort and fit
  • Ensure laser protective eyewear is clearly labeled with the optical density values and wavelengths for which the equipment is intended.
  • Inspect eyewear regularly for lens pitting and cracking that could compromise its ability to protect the wearer. Inspect the frame for mechanical integrity and light leaks.
  • Contact EH&S Laser Safety, (858) 822-2850, if you have questions or would like help in selecting appropriate eye protection.
• Skin protection: Skin protection is required if personnel are likely to be chronically exposed to scattered ultraviolet light (UV), such as during excimer laser applications, or acutely exposed to levels greater that the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit for skin.
  • Important: Laser light can be attenuated by layered clothing. However, the nylon-based material used for many lab coats has a transmission level of 20% to 40%, and is not appropriate as personal protective equipment.
  • Use leather gloves, aprons, and jackets for protection against UV exposure.
  • Wear fire-resistant materials and UV protection for work with class 4 lasers.
• Other personal protective equipment may be required when engineering controls are insufficient. This may include:
  • Respirators
  • Hearing protection