The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
renewed its alliance with the Laser Institute of America. This alliance is designed to help protect
employees from exposure in industrial, construction, medical, and research workplaces relating
to both beam and non-beam laser hazards.
“Workers unprotected from laser exposure can suffer serious eye and skin injuries including
permanent blindness and tissue damage,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We will continue to work together to produce valuable
safety and health information and training to protect workers using laser technology.”
This is as five year alliance which will include training, a Best Practices Seminar, webinars, and
information on laser safety guidance products. During the initial alliance, OSHA and the Laser
Institute of America developed fact sheets analyzing the effects of lasers on the eye and skin,
hazards associated with using high-power welders and cutters, and materials for use during
hazard analysis of workplaces with lasers. The alliance was also responsible for a guidance
document outlining 10 steps necessary to begin a laser safety program.
If you are in the industrial, construction, medical, or research industry and have employees who
work with beam or non-beam lasers, it is important to ensure your safety policies and procedures
are updated. OSHA forms these alliances in areas they deem important, and are unforgiving to
companies who do not comply with regulations. If you have not recently reviewed or updated
your policies and procedures, it is time to do so.
If you have any questions about what your company needs to do to be compliant, please contact
us. If you have anything to add about this partnership, please leave a comment.
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