Lasers have become so ingrained in laboratory research and instrumentation that it’s easy to overlook the risks they present. From spectrometers and Raman units to cell sorters and gene sequencers, many tools now rely on laser systems. While these devices enable precision and innovation, they also introduce hazards that require strict oversight.
For laboratory managers, ensuring safe laser use goes beyond good practice—it’s a compliance responsibility. The American National Standards Institute’s Z136.1 standard provides the framework that labs must follow. Compliance with this regulation protects staff, safeguards research, and helps prevent costly regulatory actions.
This article will examine the essential elements of ANSI Z136.1, why adherence is critical in today’s lab environment, and the practical steps managers can take to meet both safety and regulatory expectations.
Laser Hazard Classifications | |
|---|---|
| Laser class | Description |
| Class 1 | No eye or skin hazard |
| Class 1 product | Higher-class laser is enclosed within product (i.e., laser cutter or printer). No labeling is required (AKA an embedded laser) |
| Class 1M expanded beam | Invisible and safe for viewing unless viewed through collecting optics |
| Class 2 | Visible, 1 mW max output, relies on aversion reflex for safety |
| Class 2M expanded beam | Visible, safe for viewing unless viewed through collecting optics |
| Class 3R 1-5mW | Safe for momentary exposure. Above this threshold, a laser safety program is required |
| Class 3B | Can be visible or invisible; 5-500 mW- CW for pulsed laser. Cannot produce 125mJ in less than .25 seconds. Eye hazard potential direct or specular exposure. |
| Class 4 | Visible or invisible. Output >500 mW- for continuous wave PULSE laser,125.J/pulse in less than 0.25 seconds. Has no upper limit; therefore, eye and skin hazards from direct, specular, or diffuse reflection, and it is a fire hazard. |
Why compliance matters for lab managers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide a safe workplace for their employees. This extends to laser use. While OSHA has few specific laser regulations, the present policy allows OSHA to expect compliance with nationally recognized standards. OSHA will use its “General Duty” clause to cite employers who, under OSHA’s findings, do not have an adequate laser safety program.
What to know about ANSI Z136.1
While other laser standards exist, ANSI Z136.1 is the foundation of laser safety in the US. OSHA, state regulators, and auditors look to ANSI Z136.1 as the benchmark.
ANSI Z136.1 establishes two groups of control measures: engineering and administrative. The engineering controls closely track required commercial laser product controls from the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), and administrative controls track the elements of a laser safety program. CDRH laser product requirements are based on the class of the laser during intended use and apply to any laser product sold within the US, regardless of whether the manufacturer is domestic or international.
Per ANSI Z136.1, a laser safety program has several fundamental elements. First is management’s responsibility to appoint a laser safety officer (LSO) who oversees the program and ensures laser safety is addressed. While the LSO is responsible for developing and overseeing laser safety, management must ensure that the LSO receives or has access to the proper training, time, and resources. The LSO is responsible for performing or overseeing a hazard evaluation (risk assessment) of the laser system, and ensuring that the appropriate control measures are put in place. Training is a must for the LSO and staff working with Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers, which are the lasers that can cause harm. Even facilities that use enclosed lasers, commonly termed Class 1 products, need an LSO to set safety rules when service of these units is performed if there is a potential for exposure.
NOTE: The ANSI Z136 series of laser standards permits the LSO with a level of professional judgement rarely found in regulations. This is a recognition of the ever-changing laser applications and environments. Ranging from 3D printers to mobile fingerprint detection systems to handheld 1000-Watt laser cleaner systems.
In addition to appointing an LSO, laser safety training is an essential requirement. The standard not only states who requires training but also the content of that training.
Training requirements provide the framework, but their impact depends on how they are implemented. While the research standard Z136.8 is currently the only one that requires documented on-the-job training, expectations are shifting—refresher training is evolving from a “should” to a “shall,” with three years often cited as the recommended interval.
However, effective training goes beyond technical content. The way managers communicate and reinforce expectations directly shapes how staff perceive and apply what they’ve learned. Even simple measures, such as including a few clear, approachable slides about laser safety in new employee orientation, can reduce apprehension and build confidence. Creating a culture where staff feel supported, informed, and comfortable asking questions ensures that training is not just a compliance exercise but a meaningful tool for safety and productivity.
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Every program should include: a written safety policy, area warning signs, protective eyewear, standard operating procedures, labeling, annual audits, and measures to address non-beam hazards. While other items can be found within the standard, such as emergency stop buttons or emission indicators, the LSO has the authority to determine if they are needed, as well as what level of access control is needed. There is also a section on substitution of alternate controls, which reinforces the LSO’s ability to adapt. A good LSO will follow the motto “Safety through cooperation”.
When visible lasers are used, lab managers must recognize both the actual safety risks and the perceived risks that need to be addressed. Even if exposure levels remain below injury thresholds, staff concerns about inadequate laser safety can prompt OSHA inspections.
| ANSI Z136 Standards | |
|---|---|
| Z136.1 | Safe Use of Lasers—2022 |
| Z136.2 | Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources—2013 |
| Z136.3 | Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care—2024 |
| Z136.4 | Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation—2021 |
| Z136.5 | Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions—2020 (Note: Not for University Research) |
| Z136.6 | Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors—2015 |
| Z136.7 | Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment (Note: Does not include clothing)—2025 |
| Z136.8 | Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development, or Testing—2021 |
| Z136.9 | Safe Use of Lasers in Manufacturing Environments—2013 |
Class 1 product controls
The most common laser systems found in biotech laboratories are class 1 products. These are laser systems where the laser beam is either completely enclosed within the product or the open beam path is extremely limited. Class 1 systems are typically enclosed and require little day-to-day oversight. Risks emerge during servicing, when beams are accessible, and LSOs must establish additional safeguards.
Access Control
When class 4 lasers are in use, ANSI Z136.1 requires access control. This seems straightforward since Class 4 Lasers represent lasers with the highest risk potential. The standard recognizes that class 4 laser systems have many configurations. Therefore, it does not default to an interlocked room. Rather, it gives the user three options. Two are interlock options (Non-Defeatable and Defeatable), the other is administrative, which runs from just posting on the door to electronic door locks that have no connection to the laser system but restrict access to the area.
Evaluating MPEs
In addition to guidance on control measures, ANSI Z136.1 is the depository of maximum permissible exposure values (MPE), which are the core values of laser safety. They identify how much exposure to a specific wavelength and beam specification one can receive without injury. Think of it as the speed limit—you can drive up to and at the speed limit without worrying about a ticket. With MPE values, one can receive eye or skin exposure at the MPE level without suffering any injury.
While calculations tell us what MPE value to use, the actual values are based on biological testing, which is why there are no MPE values for laser pulses faster than 100 femtoseconds(fs) even though one can purchase commercial systems that put out 10-50 fs pulses.
Emerging technologies and evolving challenges
Even with ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers as the comprehensive core blueprint and several application standards, laser applications develop at a pace that places the standard and regulatory folks behind the curve.
An example is the Laser Cutter, an enclosed laser system for cutting shapes into a wide variety of materials. The chief concerns are users bypassing enclosure interlocks to fit larger work pieces, yielding a reflection hazard, as well as the fumes generated by such devices.
Conclusion
While laser applications continue to grow, users and managers can rely on ANSI Z136.1 for laser safety guidance.
For lab managers, compliance with ANSI Z136.1 is more than meeting a standard; it’s an investment in staff safety, lab credibility, and organizational culture. By supporting the LSO and fostering open communication, managers ensure laser safety becomes second nature in the lab.
