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.