Laser Show Safety

From a reader:

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGERS OF FACILITIES WHERE LASER SHOWS ARE HELD: In order to safeguard your audiences, you should be aware of the safety requirements placed on the manufacturers and operators of laser shows by Federal, State and local authorities. To avoid possible liability for laser injuries, see that any shows in your facility have complied with the legal requirements. NOTE: The laser operator should provide to you the information about the class of laser to be used and its variance status. A laser product should have a label indicating its class. If the laser is Class lllb or IV, the company responsible for the laser should have documentation (an accession and variance number) from FDA granting a variance. you can contact the State authority (see Appendix Ill of this booklet) or FDA to verify the status of a company's variance. One person, either the laser company's operator, or where there is no operator, an employee from the facility, should be designated as laser safety officer. A laser safety officer should be in attendance Page 26 whenever a laser is in operation and should be responsible for shutting down the laser should any unsafe conditions occur. In order to properly set up and align a laser light system that can be operated safely, laser groups will need time in the facility before the show without members of the public present. They will need the electrical power and water supply set up early enough to test and align the equipment. Depending upon the complexity of the system, the preparation for a show may take up to several hours. Should a full inspection by FDA representatives be found necessary, it may require an additional hour or two prior to the show. This should be allowed for in the scheduling of performances. Should any accident occur with the laser, you should report the incident to the State authority and to FDA. FDA and State personnel are available to help you ensure that laser shows in your facility are run safely and in compliance with the law. Contact the FDA or the appropriate State office listed in Appendix Ill for more information. WHAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LASER SAFETY: Laser light shows can be exciting but they can also be hazardous if someone is accidentally struck (particularly in the eyes) by direct, reflected or even diffuse high power laser radiation. You have a right to enjoy a laser show knowing that your safety is provided for by the laser manufacturer, the laser operator and the management of the facility where the show is held. Should you have reason to believe that a show is not being run safely - that is, that the precautions spelled out in this booklet are not being taken - talk with the laser operator or people in charge of the facility, or call the State authority (listed in Appendix Ill). If you are aware of anyone being injured at a laser show, report it to the State authority or FDA.