Laser equipment safety requirements

Only qualified and trained employees may be assigned to install, adjust, and operate laser equipment. See 1926.54(a).

• "Qualified and trained" means the employee has the knowledge and hands-on training necessary to perform the specific laser tasks safely. Keep training records and competency proof with the operator as required by 1926.54(b).
• Employers should document their training program and ensure refresher training when equipment, procedures, or hazards change.

The laser operator must have documentation that demonstrates their qualification in their possession at all times while operating the equipment. See 1926.54(b).

• The standard does not prescribe a specific form; typical acceptable proof includes a certificate of completion, training log, badge, or written qualification record signed by the employer.
• Employers should keep the records current and available for inspection; if PPE or other protections are required, follow OSHA guidance on hazard assessment and PPE selection in the PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024).

Employees must be provided with antilaser eye protection when working in areas where potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists. See 1926.54(c).

• The eye protection must meet requirements in Subpart E of Part 1926 (eye and face protection standards).
• Employers should perform a hazard assessment before selecting eye protection; see OSHA's PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024) for guidance on assessing hazards and documenting PPE decisions.

Areas where lasers are used must be posted with standard laser warning placards. See 1926.54(d).

• Placards should clearly indicate the presence of a laser hazard and, when practical, include the laser class or maximum output, required eye protection, and access restrictions.
• Use legible signs at all entrances and control points so workers and visitors can avoid inadvertent exposure.

Beam shutters or caps must be used, or the laser must be turned off, whenever laser transmission is not actually required; if the laser is left unattended for a substantial period (for example, lunch, overnight, or shift changes), it must be turned off. See 1926.54(e).

• "Substantial period" examples include breaks, times when no qualified operator is present, or when work areas are unmonitored.
• Employers should incorporate lockout/tagout or other administrative controls to prevent accidental restart during unattended periods.

Only mechanical or electronic means may be used as detectors for guiding the internal alignment of the laser. See 1926.54(f).

• This prohibits using a person’s eye or body as an alignment detector even if wearing protection; use alignment tools, beam viewers, or electronic sensors instead.
• Follow manufacturer procedures for alignment and maintenance to avoid unnecessary worker exposure.

No—laser beams must not be directed at employees. See 1926.54(g).

• Avoid aiming beams at work areas, walkways, or reflective surfaces that could redirect hazardous light toward people.
• Use engineering controls (beam stops, enclosures) and administrative controls (restricted access, warning signs) to eliminate exposures.

When it is raining, snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, laser system operation should be prohibited where practicable, and employees must be kept out of the range between source and target during such conditions. See 1926.54(h).

• If suspension of operations is impracticable, establish controls to keep personnel out of the beam path and increase signage and spotters to prevent accidental exposures.
• Document weather-related stop-work triggers in procedures and train operators to recognize hazardous atmospheric conditions.

Laser equipment must bear a label indicating the maximum output. See 1926.54(i).

• The label should clearly state the maximum optical output power or energy, and the laser classification if known.
• Employers should ensure labels remain legible and replace them if damaged; maintain documentation of equipment specifications for safety assessments.

Employees must not be exposed to light intensities above the limits listed: direct staring 1 micro-watt per square centimeter; incidental observing 1 milliwatt per square centimeter; diffused reflected light 2.5 watts per square centimeter. See 1926.54(j) and its subsections 1926.54(j)(1), 1926.54(j)(2), and 1926.54(j)(3).

• "Direct staring" is the intentional viewing of the beam axis; "incidental observing" is unintentional or peripheral viewing; "diffused reflected light" is scattered light from non-specular surfaces.
• When exposures may approach these limits, use engineering controls, administrative controls, or required 1926.54(c) eye protection. Employers should consult qualified safety professionals to measure exposures.

No—1926.54(k) recommends that a laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of employees when possible, but it is guidance rather than an absolute requirement. See 1926.54(k).

• Mounting above head height reduces the chance of direct eye exposure; when not possible, use guards, beam stops, restricted zones, and eye protection.
• Document the rationale and controls chosen during hazard assessments as recommended in OSHA's PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024).

Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter. See 1926.54(l).

• This limit applies where microwave sources are part of the laser equipment or nearby operations that can expose employees.
• If microwave fields are present, employers should measure power density with appropriate instruments and implement engineering controls or access restrictions to maintain exposures below 10 mW/cm².

No—internal alignment must be guided by mechanical or electronic detectors, not by a person directly viewing the beam, even with protective eyewear. See 1926.54(f) and the exposure limits in 1926.54(j).

• Protective eyewear cannot substitute for the required non-human detectors during internal alignment because alignment can involve high-intensity exposures beyond eyewear protection limits.
• Use manufacturer-recommended alignment tools and follow written procedures to avoid placing personnel in the beam path.

The employer is responsible for assessing the hazard and providing appropriate antilaser eye protection when exposures exceed the threshold in 1926.54(c), and the selection should follow a documented hazard assessment. See OSHA's PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024).

• The hazard assessment should identify exposure levels, wavelengths, and tasks, and the employer should document the PPE selection in writing when PPE is required.
• If in doubt, consult a qualified laser safety officer, industrial hygienist, or the equipment manufacturer for protective filter specifications.

No—labeling does not replace the requirement to shut the laser off when left unattended for a substantial period; you must turn off the laser or use beam shutters/caps when transmission is not required, and equipment must also bear a maximum output label. See 1926.54(e) and 1926.54(i).

• Labels provide information for hazard assessment and emergency response but do not authorize unsafe operation practices.
• Implement procedures that require shutdown or safe-mode use during unattended periods and document those procedures in site-specific safety plans.

An employee is in the "direct staring" category if they intentionally view the beam axis; "incidental observing" covers unintentional or casual viewing of the beam or beam path. See 1926.54(j) and its subsections for the related exposure limits.

• Employers should evaluate job tasks, worker locations, and behaviors during the hazard assessment to determine likely exposure modes, and document the conclusions.
• If uncertainty exists, measure irradiance with appropriate instruments or consult a laser safety professional to classify the exposure and select controls or PPE.

You must avoid directing beams at employees and keep employees out of the source-to-target range when dust, fog, or reflective conditions increase scattering; engineering and administrative controls must be used to prevent hazardous reflections. See 1926.54(g) and 1926.54(h).

• Identify reflective surfaces and either remove/cover them, reroute the beam, or establish exclusion zones and use non-reflective targets.
• Increase signage, post spotters or barriers, and stop work in poor atmospheric conditions that amplify scattering.

Yes—when antilaser eye protection is required under 1926.54(c), the employer must provide the protection; employers are generally responsible for providing required PPE and training, and should follow OSHA guidance on PPE selection and certification in the PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024).

• Subpart E (eye and face protection) and OSHA practice require employers to supply and maintain required PPE at no cost to employees.
• Provide fit instruction and training on the limitations and care of the eyewear and document the training.

The "diffused reflected light" limit of 2.5 watts per square centimeter applies to scattered light from non-specular (diffuse) surfaces; exposure above this level is not allowed. See 1926.54(j)(3).

• Control measures include reducing beam power, changing beam geometry, using enclosures, non-reflective targets, exclusion zones, and providing appropriate eye protection when necessary.
• Employers should assess potential reflected irradiance with a qualified professional and implement the hierarchy of controls to reduce exposures below the specified limit.

Employers should keep training and qualification records for operators, hazard assessments and PPE selection documentation, equipment labels/specifications (including maximum output), and any exposure measurements or incident reports. See 1926.54(a), 1926.54(b), and 1926.54(i).

• Document when lasers are shut down for unattended periods, weather-based stoppages, and any corrective actions taken for unsafe conditions.
• Use the OSHA PPE hazard assessment Letter of Interpretation (Mar 28, 2024) as guidance on documenting PPE hazard assessments and certifications.