Lasers

General information

• Lasers are classified into eight categories (1, 1M, 1C, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, and 4), depending on their danger potential.
• The main danger concerns the eyes. Never stare directly into a laser, and never aim a laser beam at people or animals.
• Not only the direct laser beam is dangerous, but reflected and scattered laser light is dangerous as well.

Laser classes

• Class 1 lasers are harmless, but are only few and with very low power.
• Class 2 lasers are considered harmless only for the duration it takes to blink (250 milliseconds). Class 2 lasers emit visible light and at most 1 mW of optical power.
• Class 3 lasers are dangerous for the eyes. Class 3 lasers emit up to 5 mW in continuous wave mode.
• Class 4 lasers are extremely dangerous for eyes and skin. Even reflected or scattered light is still dangerous.
• Special care should be paid with pulsed lasers, which often belong to Class 4.

Precautions

Class 1 lasers

• Do not stare into the beam. Never aim lasers at people or animals.

Class 2 lasers

• Do not stare into the beam. Never aim lasers at people or animals.

Class 3 and 4 lasers

• Wear laser protection goggles (for the correct wavelength)!
• An area where lasers are in use ought to be delineated and access to the area controlled.
• It is mandatory to place laser warning signs and a laser warning lamp, coupled to the opeation of a laser, at the entrance of labs.
  
• One person must designated to be responsible for laser safety, and only instructed and qualified staff should be allowed into the laser area.
• The research group requires a safety concept in written form.

Warning sign

The following warning sign can be obtained from the D-PHYS shop: