Laser level safety information for OSHA compliance and home safety.

Beware of that laser pointer that you purchased for your child and husband to play with from the dollar store.  Isn't it fun to jiggle the laser on the floor and walls so that your dog or cat will chase the red spot created by the laser.  What seems to be harmless entertainment may very well damage the vision of your pet, child or other family member.

Even more dangerous is the Strait-Line or Sears Craftsman self-leveling laser level that you purchased for Father's Day.  Do it yourself homeowners will frequently utilize laser levels to shoot a constant line when laying floor tile rather than snap a chalk link on the floor.  Home owners should be aware that they are working in the exact area that the laser beam is shooting risking the possibility of eye damage.  Furthermore if you allow children or pets to roam the area while this beam is on the floor permanent eye damage could occur to those beloved children or pets.

Women are even purchasing these laser levels from QVC on TV to hang pictures evenly.  On one QVC broadcast we observed the laser expert tell the QVC host to stand still.  Then the laser expert pointed the laser level at the host and joked "yes you're square."

The Strait-Line laser level that we purchased had the following printed on the box:

CAUTION LASER RADIATION EMITTED DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM Class IIIa Laser Product Max. Power Output <5mW Wavelength 630-670 nm

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: Failure to follow warnings may result in bodily injury.

What part of the body is the laser likely to damage?  The eye.  The eye doctor will use laser to correct your vision; however the doctor cuts back the cornea of the eye beforehand and is careful to not damage the large capillaries found in the eye.  Also the doctor knows not to damage the optic nerve in the eye.

The modern inexpensive lasers can have very damaging effects on your family members or pets.

This topic so  important that OSHA has issued special rules regulating the use of all lasers in the workplace and on construction sites.  It is great that OSHA can protect the workers.  However it is up to you to protect your family at home.  Take laser safety seriously.  Share safety information with other family members and never allow children to play with any type of laser pointer or laser level.

OSHA rules state:

1. Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install adjust and operate laser equipment.

2. Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be available and in possession of the operator at all times.

3. Employees when working in areas in which a potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in Subpart E of 29 CFR 1926.

4. Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards.

5. Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized or the laser turned off when laser transmission is not actually required.  When the laser is left unattended for a substantial period of time such as during lunch hour overnight or at change of shifts the laser shall be turned off.

6. The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.

7. Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees when possible.

Other brands just as dangerous include:

David White self-leveling laser,

Black & Decker laser level,

Lasermark laser level,

Porter Cable laser,

Rototoolz laser level,

Finish Line laser level,

PLS laser level Pacific Laser Systems laser level.

So many lasers are on the market that it would be difficult to name them all.

1926.54 Nonionizing radiation for construction

 

General Information: info@safetyis.us
 

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