What is Laser Safety?

Laser safety is a systematic approach practiced in medical and industrial workplaces to ensure the safe use of lasers. It aims to minimize the risk of incidents that can lead to serious injuries such as skin burns and eye damage. Generally, laser safety involves identifying the four major hazard classes and implementing the appropriate safety measures.

What is a Laser Safety Checklist?

A laser safety checklist is a tool used across various industries such as manufacturing, education, and healthcare to ensure the safe use of lasers for work. Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) perform laser risk assessments to identify laser hazards, enforce appropriate control measures, and reduce the risk of eye and skin injuries.

Why is it Important?

Laser beams from handheld lasers or laser pointers can cause flash blindness and severe eye injury through direct contact with the retina. That being considered, workers need to be aware and even more cautious of the hazards presented by industrial lasers such as those used for metal fabrication.

In 2018, a Massachusetts-based metalworks company experienced a casualty after a worker was trapped in a laser cutting machine. Laser safety should be prioritized by employees using lasers at work, not only for their personal safety but also for the safety of others.