Worldwide
IEC EN60825 – International standard for the safety of laser products
This is used worldwide, it covers all laser uses (not just display lasers).
Requirements and guidelines for safe use and manufacture.
Defines a framework for accessing potential risk.
PLASA Safe use of display laser guidance
Forms part of legal and best practice compliance. In the UK and Europe this guidance is the only compliance document that is specifically written for the use of display lasers.
This is guidance, it is not law. If you need to break it then a pragmatic management of the risks can be considered acceptable.
See the dedicated page on this here.
Specific things that may be needed for the use of display lasers
Laser safety permit
Some countries require a permit (not required in the UK).
Venue permit
Some countries require (not required in the UK).
Import / export permit
Some countries are hot on this (not required in the UK). USA big time for all class 4 lasers
Operator licence / certification
Laser safety officer certification
Universally required (but not always enforced!)
United Kingdom and EU
The UK and Europe is a bit funky in that legally there are differences in protection between workers (which includes performers) and an audience. This is because the “Control of optical radiation at work” regulation only applies to workers, leaving an audience seemingly not protected by the same requirements. However, health and safety law does apply to members of the public and therefore legally brings in requirements to undertake risk assessments and apply protections to ensure that safety is ensured for an audience and the general public too. So whilst an audience isn’t directly covered by a specific regulation, they are in effect covered due to health and safety law.
“Control of optical radiation at work” regulation
This only covers “workers” (which incudes performers). It does not directly cover the general public / an audience. The regulation specifies:
- Classification
- Risk assessment
- Exposure limits
- Control measures
- Training and information
Health and safety at work act
Health and safety law covers lasers and does apply to the general public / an audience. Your duty in the workplace to keep them safe. This is what health and safety law requires, put very simply:
- Don’t put anyone at risk if you can avoid it.
- If you do, takes steps that are reasonably practical to remove the risk.
- If you can’t, don’t do it.
Outdoor laser use (where beams are not terminated)
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval is required.
Australia (Western Australia)
Based on EN60825 + with local guidance which is based on the PLASA guidance
Required:
State registered LSO (Laser Safety Officer)
All laser units must be registered with their authority
Licence to use lasers – Venues need to have this, not the LSO.
USA
USA loves bureaucracy and union based protections. There is loads of admin involved in USA laser work.
Federal – central government = regulatory body
FDA – Federal Drug Administration, they cover laser use
Individual states can and do also set their own other specific requirements
ANSI 136 standard
ANSI Z136.1 – Safe use of lasers
ANSI Z136.6 – Safe use of lasers outdoors
ANSI Z136.10 – Entertainment, display & exhibitions
FDA / CDRH requirements (CDRH is a department of the FDA)
You are issued an “Accession number”
Product registration
Warning labels
User instructions
LSO (Laser Safety Officer)
Record keeping
It is illegal to use a display laser in the USA. When you comply with all the requirements you are issued a “Variance”, which is a variance to the law which then allows you to use them! There are 2 types of variance:
- No audience scanning
- With audience scanning. For this you can use difraction or use the PASS system. “Professional Audience Safety System”, made by Pangolin and installed in a laser projector.
