29 C.F.R. § 1926.54
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 the 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 watts (5 milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in subpart E of this part.
- (d) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards.
- (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) Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.
- (l) Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.