Welcome to the UH Laser Safety Program
The purpose of the Laser Safety Program is to promote the safe use of lasers in research by identifying potential hazards, offering guidance for proper usage, and providing laser safety training for individuals working with lasers. To achieve this, the University has adopted the American National Standards for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1) and the Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions (ANSI Z136.5), which serve as the minimum standards for laser safety, along with other applicable regulations.
The primary goal of the laser safety program is to ensure that no laser radiation exceeding the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit reaches human eyes or skin. Additionally, the program is designed to provide adequate protection against collateral hazards, such as electrical shock, fire risks from beams or the use of dyes and solvents, and chemical exposures resulting from chemical use or target vaporization.
To implement this program effectively while accommodating the needs of researchers and instructional laboratories, all laser operations at the University are subject to periodic review by the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO). Inspections may be conducted by the Laboratory Safety Program and the Radiation Safety Program to ensure compliance and to identify safety deficiencies.
At the University of Hawai’i, the Laser Safety Program is organized and managed in the Radiation Safety Program.
For questions or concerns regarding the program, please contact radsafe@hawaii.edu.
Personnel Training and Qualifications
Laser Safety Training is available for all University of Hawai’i personnel via the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) web based software platform.
The Laser Safety Training course is mandatory for all users of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers at the University of Hawai’i. Developed by the Department of Energy, the training covers essential laser operation principles, potential hazards, and effective control measures.
Please note that the Laser Safety Course is only one component of a worker’s overall training. The Principal Investigator (PI) of each lab or facility ultimately determines whether a worker is qualified to operate lasers safely in their specific environment.
On-the-job training must be provided by knowledgeable project personnel or the Principal Investigator (PI). Only qualified and authorized individuals are permitted to operate lasers.
For open beam Class 3B and 4 laser users, the following requirements apply:
- Enrollment and Registration: Enroll and register with the UH Radiation Safety Program by completing the Laser Safety Training Enrollment and Laser Equipment Registration Form.
- Training: Completing the UH Laser Safety Training course initially and every 3 years.
- Review: Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s operating and safety instructions and the UH Laser Safety Manual.
- Standard Operating Procedures: Develop and maintain SOPSs as required.
- Receive a comprehensive review of the specific laser equipment, along with the applicable administrative, alignment, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the PI or a qualified delegate.
- Additional Requirements: Fulfill all other requirements set by the UH Radiation Safety Committee.
The Laser Safety Training Course is also available to individuals working with lower-power lasers or anyone interested in learning more about laser safety, though it is not required. To access the course, follow the enrollment process above.