![Laser Hazards Laser Hazards](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/laser_subject.jpg) |
Safety and Health Topics |
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Laser Hazards |
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/images/curve-wh-left.gif) |
In
Focus |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/images/curve-wh-right.gif) |
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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.
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What standards apply?
OSHA | National Consensus |
![Construction Construction](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/hardhat.jpg) |
What information is available for the construction industry?
Alliances | OSHA Standards | Hazard Recognition | Possible Solutions | More |
![Hazard Recognition Hazard Recognition](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/laser_01.jpg) |
How are laser hazards recognized in the workplace? |
![Possible Solutions Possible Solutions](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/lasergoggles.jpg) |
What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards? |
![Additional Information Additional Information](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/2men.jpg) |
What
additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | Other Resources |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/images/curve-wh-left.gif) |
In Focus |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507210559im_/http://www.osha.gov/images/curve-wh-right.gif) |
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