LASER Safety

Question 1

How many classes of lazers?

Answer 1

There are 5 classes;
1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4

Question 2

Laser acronym - L A S E R

Answer 2

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

Question 3

Class 1 lasers

Answer 3

Lasers that have an output power that is below the level at which eye injury can occur.

Question 4

Class 2 lasers

Answer 4

Lasers that emit visible light and are limited to a maximum output power of 1 milliwatt (mW). A person receiving an eye exposure from a Class 2 laser will be protected from injury by their natural blink reflex, an involuntary response that causes the person to blink and turn their head, thereby avoiding eye exposure.

Question 5

Class 3A lasers

Answer 5

Lasers that have a maxium output power of 5 mW. This limit restricts the power entering a fully dilated human eye to 1 mW.

Question 6

Class 3B lasers

Answer 6

Lasers with an output power up to 500 mW, sufficient to cause eye injury. The extent and severity of any eye injury will depend upon several factors, including the laser power entering the eye and the exposure duration.

Question 7

Class 4 lasers

Answer 7

Lasers that have an output power greater than 500 mW; are capable of causing injury to both the eye and skin; and will be a fire hazard if sufficiently high-output powers are used. ANSI Z136.1 (2007)

Question 8

Class 1, Class 2, Class 3A, and Class 3B

Answer 8

Do not have sufficient power to cause injury to skin