Laser Hazard Classification

Abstract

The present system of classifying lasers according to their hazard category or risk category evolved between 1965 and 1972. It arose from a need to distinguish between lasers of differing risk, so that hazard control which would be required for very dangerous lasers would not needlessly be applied to small, relatively less hazardous, lasers. At present the laser hazard classification schemes used in standards promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), by the Bureau of Radiological Health (BRH) of the United States Food and Drug Administration, by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), by the British Standards Institution (BSI), and by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) are all very similar. Indeed only very minor differences exist. Most regulations of Federal agencies, state, and local governmental that pertain to laser safety generally follow either the ANSI Z-136 or BRH classification scheme. Since all lasers manufactured for use within the U.S. must have a label designating their classification if they were manufactured since August 2, 1976, the BRH classification scheme will generally be followed by most users in the future. It will be discussed in detail in this chapter.