We are often asked something along the lines, “Our company has just had a CO2 laser marker installed. The supplier has arranged for fully interlocked guarding to be fitted and has certified the installation as Class 1. Some training has been provided to the operators, including a half day explaining the laser hazards. Do we need extra training to appoint a Laser Safety Officer?”

The guidance document on the safe industrial use of lasers in the UK, the standard BS EN 60825-1, recommends that ‘for installations where Class 3B or 4 lasers are operated, a Laser Safety Officer should be appointed’. This person may or may not be the site safety officer and often is someone who has specialised knowledge to assist in this task.

Whilst the recommendation of the guidance document does not make the appointment of a LSO a legal requirement, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require employers to actively address safety matters, including laser safety. As with all safety issues it is necessary for whoever undertakes the task to have sufficient training and experience or knowledge. The user organisation has to gauge whether or not in this case there is a need for specific laser safety training.

In the majority of cases, laser marking equipment is installed as a Class 1 laser product, but the laser that does the marking will be Class 3B or 4. Maintenance procedures generally do not require access to the laser beam but some on-site laser service operations may do, and the risk posed by these operations needs to be addressed.

The Provision and Use of Work Regulations require that risks created by the use of equipment, including servicing activities, be eliminated where possible or adequately controlled. Significant help can be obtained from the service provider who can be asked to provide a risk assessment and the work methods that will be adopted during service intervention. Alternatively, a Laser Safety Advisor can be appointed to verify the proposed precautions in order to reduce the level of detailed knowledge that the LSO needs to have.

Pro Laser act as Laser Safety Advisor to many UK laser user organisations. We offer a cost-effective package combining an assessment of the laser installation and safety training for the LSO and operators, backed up by free follow- up consultation.