Laser Safety

Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), a kind of non-ionizing radiation, is widely used in laboratories for research and teaching purposes in the University. Laser differs with other sources of light by their monochromaticity, coherence and low divergence. These special characteristics allow laser to be focused to a very small spot, and achieving a very high irradiance.

Exposure to high-power laser beam, even in a very short duration may cause very serious and irreversible damage to our eyes or skins, with eyes more susceptible to the damage by laser beam. This is because laser beam at wavelength between 400 to 1,400 nm (known as retinal hazard region) after entering human eye will be focused by human lens to a very small spot on the retina, and thus greatly amplifying the intensity of the laser beam by 100,000 times.

On the other hand, there are many other hazards (known as non-beam hazards) which are associated with the use of laser equipment but not directly related to the exposure to the laser beam. These hazards include fire, hazardous vapor/mists from the targeting materials, toxic gases from the lasing medium, electric shock, cryogens, etc. These hazards may be even more hazardous than beam hazards as they represent most reported deaths.

Control of High-power Lasers

To ensure safe use of high-power laser equipment (i.e. class 3b or above), the University requires the Principal Investigator or Laboratory in-charge to ensure:

• All high-power laser equipment are registered with HSO
• Users of high-power laser equipment have completed proper laser safety training and registered with HSO
• Establish of Safe Operating Procedure (SOP)
• Proper safety measures (e.g. enclosures of laser beam, safety interlocks, laser safety goggles, etc.) must be established and in place
• For research projects which involve the use of high-power laser source, the Principal Investigator shall obtain Research Safety Approval from the Research Safety Sub‑committee