Laser systems are an integral part of manufacturing processes in several industries. Whether you are an operator or a laser safety officer, understanding the laser safety standards that apply to your country and situation is crucial to ensuring the safe use of lasers.
In this article, we’ll define and explain the key laser safety standards, their implications, and how they’re applied across North America, Europe and Asia.
Table of Contents
Laser safety standards present the best practices and the required safety measures for medium and high-power laser systems. They are designed to reduce the risks of laser hazards and ensure the proper classification, labeling and use of laser products.
As a reminder, LASER is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Most types of laser beams (visible and invisible wavelengths) can pose serious hazard risks and require preventive measures.
Understanding the potential risks associated with each class of laser, including laser radiation hazards (eye injuries, skin burns) and other non-beam hazards (e.g., fire hazards), will help prevent accidents and minimize those risks.
Although the core principles are universal, those standards can vary between regions and countries.
Most laser safety standards cover the 3 following components:
Laser safety standards help define the potential risks of laser exposure and the required control measures according to the hazards associated with each class of laser (ranging from Class 1 to Class 4).
It allows manufacturers and operators to identify the control measures related to their laser system’s class.
This section regroups the safety measures and technical precautions that ensure the safe use of lasers. These measures include:
Implementing a complete laser safety program is also crucial. Such programs include the creation of laser safety policies and the designation of one or multiple laser safety officers (LSOs).
An LSO usually ensures the respect of control measures (e.g., wearing laser beam eye protection) and the safe operation of laser systems.
Laser safety programs also plan regular employee training and ensure all equipment meets the required safety standards.
In this section, we’ll cover the laser safety standards of key regions and their main points.
The chart below summarizes how laser safety standards are applied and differ on a global scale:
Now let’s have a closer look at the different regions.
In the United States, the primary standard for laser safety is the Ansi Z136.1, developed by the American National Standards Institute. ANSI Z136.1 provides guidelines and control measures for the safe use of each class of lasers, including signage, labeling and employee training.
At the same time, the Z136 series focuses on different settings, such as health care (Ansi Z136.3) and manufacturing environments (Ansi Z136.9).
The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) also plays a key role in classifying and regulating the safety of laser products manufactured in or imported into the U.S. (21 Cfr 1040).
In parallel, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces laser safety practices in U.S. workplaces under the Laser Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910). This document focuses on the use of personal protective equipment, such as eyewear and protective clothing, and protective barriers, like enclosures and interlocks, to ensure the safe use of lasers.
Here’s a clear way to understand the difference between OSHA and ANSI and how they complement each other:
In Canada, the standard for laser safety is the Can/csa E60825-1, which is closely aligned with the international (IEC 60825-1) standard described below.
Canada's national radiation protection regulations are stated under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Sor/2000-203).
Most European countries have adopted the Iec 60825-1 standard issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
This standard gathers safety measure recommendations for laser products from experts of the IEC’s 89 member countries.
The IEC 60825-1 standard requires the CE marking of laser-based equipment, as well as classification labels and safety warnings.
Similarly, many Asian countries have adopted the IEC 60825-1 standard in combination with national regulations.
For example, China enforces laser classification and safety measures through the Gb/t 7247 standard.
Japan does the same by applying additional national marking and labeling requirements (Jis C 6802).
Although the classification of laser products and systems varies across countries, they all aim to define clear and comprehensive guidelines for the safe use of laser-based equipment.
Besides offering cutting-edge laser solutions, Laserax can also deliver an on-site laser safety certification. This certification meets class-1 laser safety standards such as ANSI Z136.1 and IEC 60825 and regulatory organizations like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Our certification service can allow you to:
If you have any inquiries or questions about laser safety, don’t hesitate to contact one of our experts.
Trained in physical engineering, Julie is a Laser Specialist at Laserax. She coordinates client tests to determine the right laser solution they need. She's also a Laser Safety Officer, which means she's responsible for laser security on the shop floor and in the labs.
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