§ 1801. Nonionizing Radiation.

(a) Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install, adjust, and operate laser equipment.

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

(c) Employees, when working in areas in which a potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watt (5 milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in Section 3382(e) of the General Industry Safety Orders.

(d) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with laser warning signs and labels in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1-2000, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4.7, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(e) 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.

(f) Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.

(g) The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.

(h) When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, the operation of laser systems shall be prohibited where practicable; in any event, employees shall be kept out of range of the area of source and target during such weather conditions.

(i) Laser equipment shall bear a label to indicate maximum output.

(j) Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above:

(1) Direct staring: 1 micro-watt per square centimeter;

(2) Incidental observing: 1 milliwatt per square centimeter;

(3) Diffused reflected light: 2 1/2 watts per square centimeter.

(k) Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 1-13-87; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 87, No. 4).

2. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 8-25-97; operative 9-24-97 (Register 97, No. 35).

3. Amendment of subsections (c) and (d) filed 4-27-2007; operative 5-27-2007 (Register 2007, No. 17).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.