Laser Safety

Lasers pose a risk of injury

Therefore, laser applications are divided into different laser classes. Laser class 1 means a risk-free work environment with regard to radiation risk. Laser class 4 means that the risk of exposure is high and where various protective measures must be taken.

LMI offers solutions to ensure that the work environment meets current standards and directives.
Laser safety has long been overlooked. It is being improved and the rules are being tightened all the time.

Laser as a processing technology in all possible industrial segments is today perhaps one of the fastest growing technologies in the industry. We at LMI AB have been involved since the childhood of the laser and have a deep insight into all the pros and cons of laser technology. By cons we mean the safety around the laser cell/machine. Unfortunately, this is an area that is often overlooked. This despite the obvious risks associated with the use of high-power lasers in industry.

Today, there are regulations and rules for how to safely handle laser radiation. Wherever lasers are used professionally, safety is required to meet statutory requirements according to the Swedish Work Environment Authority's collection of statutes AFS 2009:7

As a pure laser company, we naturally want to contribute to ensuring that safety is complied with. For several years now, LMI has been a partner of Lasermet Ltd., a world leader in both industrial and medical lasers.

Lasermet Ltd

LMI is the distributor of Lasermet Ltd in Sweden and Norway. Lasermet is a world leader in everything related to laser system safety. This applies to laser safety equipment in industrial environments, medical environments and laboratory environments.
Examples of laser safety products include safety glasses, warning signs, screens, gates, roller blinds, drapes, laser interlock systems and measuring instruments. All of these products are certified with regard to statutory laser safety requirements.

We are happy to visit you and review your laser safety and develop appropriate measures to ensure that you have safe equipment. If you would like training in laser safety, we can also arrange this.

• Laser safety glasses
• Warning signs
  
• Protective screens, drapes and curtains
  
• Interlock systems and laser rooms

Laser Classification and Safety

Lasers and devices with lasers, are classified by their laser power and what the risks are in normal use. 

​​​​​​​n order to use lasers in Class 3B and 4 professionally, a permission is required from the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority. No permit is required for lasers in the lower classes.

All lasers must be labeled with their respective class. Lasers class 2 and above must also have warnings and alert symbols. The label should be printed with black text on a yellow background.

Class 2

A Class 2 laser device has laser light visible to the human eye and has a maximal output power of one (1) milliwatt. If an eye is exposed to Class 2 laser light, the natural reflex (shutting eyelids, facing away from the light etc) prevents the laser from harming the retina of the eye.

Exposure to the eye for extended periods may damage sight. 

Class 3R

Class 3R laser devices emit visible radiation with a maximum output power of 5 milliwatts. The natural reaction discussed in Class 2 should prevent damage to the human eye even with class 3R lasers, but in some cases short exposure to the eye can cause damage.

Class 3A

This class is no longer used, as class 3A lasers are now included under Class 3R.
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Class 3B

Laser devices classified as Class 3B require a permit for possession and certain applications.
Devices in class 3B has visible radiation with a max. output power of 500 milliwatts. These require a permit because of their potential to cause damage to the retina despite natural reflexes.
​​​​​​​Even reflected light from such a laser device can harm the eye, although observing the laser beam on a non-reflective surface is safe. Class 3B lasers are found in powerful green laser pointers as well as in entertainment purposes as light shows.

Class 4

Requires permit for use and possession.
Any laser device with greater output power than class 3B ie 500 milliwatts, is a class 4 laser. This applies to visible as well as invisible lasers. Class 4 does not have a maximum output power. Industrial lasers used for cutting, welding, hardening and also marking are Class 4 lasers. Some of the lasers used to light shows also fall under this category if their output power exceeds 500 milliwatts.

Depending on the type of laser, Class 4 lasers can harm the eye and/or skin. High powered lasers, for example those used in cutting appliances, can be lethal and are capable of igniting objects.
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Class 4 lasers contained within safe approved housings belong to Class 1 as long as the machine is operated in its intended safe environmnent.