LASER SAFETY DETAILS
LINKS TO AGENCIES AND FORMS
 

The CDRH, a division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, regulates American laser projectors and light shows. Anyone presenting a laser light show in the U.S. must have a Product Report covering the equipment, a Laser Light Show Report covering how it is used, and a Variance Number giving approval to deviate from certain laser standards.

After getting an overview of laser safety requirements, you may want some more details. This page discusses U.S. federal and state regulatory requirements.

Remember, Lumalaser can take care of all the paperwork for you. But in case you want more background information, or to do it yourself, read on!

U.S. FEDERAL LAWS

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health is a division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They have a webpage with laser-related information and forms at the upper left. Start with this document:

• Laser Light Show Safety: Who's Responsible? (PDF format)

It is a clear, concise overview of laser display safety. The information beginning on page 16 is an excellent summary of federal regulations. Note that some of the addresses and specific information may be outdated, since it was last revised in 1986. However, it is still a great place to begin.

CDRH material has been developed over the years. There is some duplication of information in the various publications. Thus, there is no simple 1-2-3 step procedure to reading and filling out the forms.

For completeness, we have listed all CDRH documents related to laser display. You don't have to read them all! The best thing to do is skim through the major documents to get an overview (these are marked with an asterisk (*)). Then you can read in-depth and begin to fill out the forms.

General

These are listed in order of basic, to more technical and legalistic.

• Responsibilities of Laser Light Show Projector Manufacturers, Dealers, and Distributors: Laser Notice 51

• Compliance Guide (PDF format)

Product Reports

A Product Report covers the laser projector equipment. These would normally be submitted by the manufacturer, such as Lumalaser. The manufacturer is responsible for compliance. An end-user must not modify the product in a way that makes it less safe.

• Reporting Guide - Radiation Safety Product Report for Laser Products (PDF format, Word format)

• Laser Quality Control Guide (PDF format)

Laser Light Show Report

The Laser Light Show Report covers how the projector is used. It can be written by the operator/location, by a consultant, or by Lumalaser. It is then submitted by the operator/location, who is responsible for compliance.

• Reporting Guide - Radiation Safety Product Report for Laser Light Shows/Display (PDF format)

• Reporting Guide - Annual Reports (PDF format, Word format)

Variance

A "variance" is formal permission from the government to vary from certain Laser Product Performance Standards. A variance application can be written by the operator/location, by a consultant, or by Lumalaser. It is then submitted by the operator/location, who is responsible for compliance.

• Variance Application for Laser Products used for Light Shows and Displays (PDF format)

U.S. STATE LAWS

Arizona, New York and Texas have notable state regulations.

• Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency. Information about registration of lasers for light shows and demonstrations is on this webpage.

• New York State Department of Labor regulations, and "mobile laser operator" application

• Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control webpage

For other states, check to see if you have a health or radiation control agency. (Lasers emit light, which is electromagnetic radiation. This is why "radiation control" agencies have jurisdiction over lasers. Don't worry, entertainment lasers don't emit nuclear radiation -- only light.)

Rockwell Laser Industries' website contains a list of state regulatory officials.

OTHER RESOURCES

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has set forth detailed guidelines for laser users. ANSI Z136.1 "Safe Use of Lasers" is a 136-page publication which has information useful to laser operators and facilities. It is available from the Laser Institute of America and from Rockwell Laser Industries; the cost is approximately $90.