Laser Safety Program

The purpose of UCSF’s Laser Safety Program is to ensure a safe environment at the campus research and clinical sites for the use of laser technology. Laser radiation presents a risk to researchers, workers, medical staff and patients. The safe use of laser radiation requires that the laser devices are properly labeled and hazard areas posted, that the machines operate as designed and specified, that proper personnel safety equipment is available, and that ancillary hazards are addressed. Laser safety program components include:

• Registration of (class IIIb, and IV) lasers.
• Inspection of laser equipment.
• Investigation of incidents and injuries.
• Review of laser facility design (plans review).
• Determination of appripriate signage and protective equipment.
• Safety training as needed or requested.
• Regular audit inspection and ongoing compliance. 

The use of all Hazard Class IIIa, IIIb, and IV lasers must be approved by the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) in Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) before implementation. Any acquisition, transfer or removal of laser devices in these classifications must be made known to the LSO. Laser devices that are assembled at the University may receive a hazard class evaluation by contacting EH&S at 415.499.6792. Laser devices which require registration include:

• Therapeutic devices for use in surgery, dermatology, opthalmology, and dentistry.
• Optical bench-top lasers.
• Light sources for microscopy and measurements. 

Class I devices do not require registration. These include laser printers, imaging devices, and telecommunication devices. Some equipment such as cell sorters, particle counters, have laser cavities that are accessible by the user. These devices (which ordinarily would be considered to be hazard class I) should be registered so that the safety interlocks or protective optical filters may be checked periodically. An inspection can be scheduled by calling 415.499.6792. Laser safety inspections include a survey of:

• The protective housing.
• Safety interlocks.
• Labeling.
• Hazard Posting.
• Indicators.
• Appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment.
• Ancillary Hazards.

Laser Pointers are used frequently for presentations and if used as directed -- do not point the laser into your own or others’ eye(s), should provide little risk to users or audiences. Many of these lasers are now classified as hazard class IIIa due to their power output. The increased power is in part due to the diodes that are used which produce a red light of a wavelength that the eye is not as sensitive to and so a greater intensity of light is required for adequate visibility. These devices do not require registration with EH&S, but it is advisable to check for the presence of the required label which includes the:

• Laser hazard symbol.
• Laser classification.
• Maximum laser output.
• Laser wavelength. 

For service, email [email protected] or  call 415-994-6792