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Laser Hazards Safety and Health Topics
Laser Hazards

In Focus
LASER is an acronym which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The laser produces an intense, highly directional beam of light. The most common cause of laser-induced tissue damage is thermal in nature, where the tissue proteins are denatured due to the temperature rise following absorption of laser energy.

The human body is vulnerable to the output of certain lasers, and under certain circumstances, exposure can result in damage to the eye and skin. Research relating to injury thresholds of the eye and skin has been carried out in order to understand the biological hazards of laser radiation. It is now widely accepted that the human eye is almost always more vulnerable to injury than human skin.

The following questions link to information relevant to laser hazards in the workplace.

OSHA Standards What standards apply?
OSHA | National Consensus
Construction What information is available for the construction industry?
Alliances | OSHA Standards | Hazard Recognition | Possible Solutions | More
Hazard Recognition How are laser hazards recognized in the workplace?
Possible Solutions What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards?
Additional Information What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | Other Resources

In Focus
Alliances eTools 
  • Eye and Face Protection eToolEye and Face Protection. OSHA. Provides a comprehensive hazard assessment, information about selecting protective devices for the workplace, as well as OSHA requirements.
 Safety and
 Health Topics
 
  Laser Hazards
  Standards
  Construction
  Hazard Recognition
  Possible Solutions
  Additional
Information
  Credits
 
Content Reviewed 05/05/2005
 
 

 
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