Regulations

Different agencies have issued safety recommendations and regulations for the use of lasers in the workplace. These standards provide guidance for the safe use of lasers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

OSHA

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) does not offer a comprehensive laser standard, although certain parts of their existing regulations can be applied to laser safety.

One such section is the construction standard 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(2), which states that:

Employees whose occupation or assignment requires exposure to laser beams shall be furnished suitable laser safety goggles which will protect for the specific wavelength of the laser and be of optical density OD) adequate for the energy involved.

In addition, Section III, Chapter 6 of the OSHA Technical Manual discusses laser hazards and presents a summary of the current laser regulations enacted at the state level.

FDA CDRH

The Food Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) mandates compliance with its standards for the manufacture and performance of lasers. The standard is named the Federal Laser Product Performance Standard (FLPPS) and is identified as 21 CFR subchapter parts 1040.10 and 1040.11.

ANSI

Applicable American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standards include Z136.1 for the safe use of lasers and Z1336.3 for the safe use of lasers in health care facilities. These standards include engineering, procedural, and administrative controls necessary for the safety of patients and health care professionals.