Laser Safety Procedures

All Class 3B and Class 4 lasers or laser systems must have a Written Laser Safety Procedure (LSP) in place. The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for creating the LSP and submitting it to the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) for review.

To help with this process, a Laser Safety Procedure template is available and should be used as a guide when developing your LSP. 

LSPs are essential safety documents that must be:

• Reviewed with all laser personnel
• Easily accessible to anyone using the laser system
• Specific to the individual lab—manufacturer manuals are helpful but not a substitute
   

Each LSP must include:

• A description of hazards and control measures for startup, shutdown, alignment, and maintenance
• Specifications for laser protective eyewear
• A list of safety precautions and procedures to follow
• Emergency response instructions

LSPs should be reviewed at least once a year to make sure all information remains accurate. If there are changes in research, equipment, or personnel, the PI must update the LSP and inform the LSO.

All finalized LSPs will be stored in the Lab Documents section of SciShield.