5. Lasers
High-power lasers can cause serious damage to the eye (including blindness) as well as producing skin burns.
This page explains the risks and how employers can protect their workers.
Risks from lasers in office equipment such as printers
There is no risk from lasers found in some office equipment provided that equipment casings (such as housings and enclosures) remain undamaged.
Many office devices contain 'embedded' laser systems that are of a higher class than that assigned to the device itself. It is therefore important that only trained and authorised people carry out maintenance and repairs which involve gaining access to the lasers.
Lasers used for presentation purposes
The power of laser pointers used in presentation work is normally not greater than Class 2. When used as intended, these products will not present an eye injury risk. The simple precaution of ensuring they are never deliberately stared at or shone into people's faces will be sufficient control for any viewing hazard that they present.
In the case of older Class 3A and new Class 1M and 2M laser pointers, it is additionally necessary to ensure that viewing aids, such as magnifying glasses and binoculars, are never used by people who may be exposed to the laser pointer beam.
Because the use of such devices is normally under the control of a teacher, lecturer or presenter, these laser classes will be, in most circumstances of use, no more hazardous than Class 2.
However, HSE is aware of higher power devices being offered for sale in this market (eg Class 3B). These should never be used by members of the public and should only be used by trained and competent employers and employees, who will ensure that a laser beam is not directed at people's eyes.
Scanners that use lasers
Bar-code scanners are typically Class 1 laser products and people employed as check-out operators are at no risk from burns to their skin.
However, scanning systems used in some warehouse applications (at premises to which there is no public access) could be up to the old Class 3A or up to Class 2M and should therefore only be used by trained personnel.
Eye examinations
Employers can if they wish conduct eye examinations for pre-employment purposes and they are, of course, a useful follow-up to accidents, but HSE doesn't recommend their use for routine health surveillance.
Providing protective eye wear
Whether protective eyewear should be provided will depend upon the employer's risk assessment made under the Management of Health and Safety Regulations.
As a general rule, HSE would expect protective eyewear to be worn by people who operate lasers of a Class greater than the old 3A or greater than 2M in situations where there is the possibility of personal access to the laser aperture (open beam path equipment).
If viewing aids are in common usage by workers or eye aversion responses are unreliable (a person's natural tendency to avert their gaze from bright lights), then eyewear may well be necessary for any laser that exceeds Class 1.