Safety Recommendations for Laser Pointers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ertle WJ ; Moss, C. Eugene ; Rockwell RJ
• Description:
  The use of laser diode pointers that operate in the visible radiation region (400-760 nm) is becoming widespread. These pointers are intended for use by educators while presenting talks in the classroom or at conventions and meetings. They are also useful in any situation where one needs to point out special items during any instructive situation. The pointers can be purchased in novelty stores, mail-order magazines, office supply stores, common electronic stores, and over the internet. The power emitted by these laser painters ranges from I to 5 mW. The potential for hazard with laser pointers is generally considered to be limited to the unprotected eyes of individuals who might be exposed by a direct beam (intrabeam viewing). No skin hazard usually exists. There are, however, even more powerful laser pointers now appearing. The units are imported into the U.S. often without proper manufacturer certification or labeling. The potential for hazards with these devices is not well understood by the general public and workers, and numerous exposure incidents have been recorded by the authors. Users of these products need to be alerted to the potential hazards and be encouraged to follow appropriate safety recommendations. These factors are discussed and safety recommendations for laser pointers are presented. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Eye Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Safety Management Sense Organs Sense Organs / Injuries
• Keywords:
  Eye-injuries Eyes Lasers Optics Risk-factors Safety-education Safety-measures Safety-practices
• ISSN:
  1042-346X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  174-180
• Volume:
  10
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20033901
• Citation:
  J Laser Appl 1998 Aug; 10(4):174-180
• Contact Point Address:
  RJ Rockwell, Rockwell Laser Ind, 7754 Camargo Rd, Cincinnati, OH
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1998
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Laser Applications
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5c8527b275ad3558309157974909fe4b9e10ef17c9027ca3f90cde6c02a6b2443e02025c1fd0483d094f78d46ac8e0357d9846bae31f23fd771f05b39048e6b9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189305/cdc_189305_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 66.28 KB ]