Laser Safety Guide

Control Measures

Laser Controlled Area

When the entire beam path from a Class IIIB or Class IV laser is not sufficiently enclosed and/or baffled such that access to radiation above the MPE is possible, a "laser controlled area" is required. During periods of service, a controlled area may be established on a temporary basis. The controlled area will encompass the NHZ. Those controls required for both Class IIIB and Class IV installations are as follows:

• Posting with Appropriate Laser Warning Signs:
  
  Class IIIA (beam irradiance 2.5 mW/cm(2)), Class IIIB and Class IV lasers require the DANGER sign format (white background, red laser symbol with black outline and black lettering). Note that under ANSI Z-136.1 criteria, area posting is required only for Class IIIB and Class IV lasers.
  
  Class II OR Class IIIA areas (if the LSO chooses to post): All signs (and labels) associated with these lasers (when beam irradiance for Class IIIA does not exceed 2.5 mW/cm(2)) uses the CAUTION format (yellow background, black symbol and letters).
  
  During times of service and other times when a temporary laser controlled area is established, a NOTICE sign format is required (white background, red laser symbol with blue field and black lettering). This sign is only posted during time when service is in progress.
  
  
• Operated by Qualified and Authorized Personnel: This includes appropriate training of the individuals in aspects of laser safety training.
  
  
• Transmission from Indoor Controlled Area: The beams shall not, under any circumstances, be transmitted from an indoor laser controlled area unless for specific purposes (such as testing). In such cases, the operator and the LSO must assure that the beam path is limited to controlled air space.