Laser-induced retinal injuries can make you or your workers blind.
Picture this: it’s Saturday afternoon. you’re cutting wood with a CO2 laser cutter. It’s your weekend side project, a wooden pergola.
Then, all of a sudden, you hear a popping sound. A popping sound from your eyes. After a few minutes, it starts swelling. And your vision deteriorates to near blindness.
It’s not an enviable scenario, but it happens.
We should know. Because we’re experts in this field. And it has happened before.
That’s why we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the hazards of working with laser cutters and safety measures to employ.
But first, let’s start with an overview of laser cutting history.
An Overview of the History of Laser Cutting Technology
Speed is now a human culture. And the bedrock of this speed is the ever-running manufacturing industry, which is built on laser technology.
Hear me out.
You see, 41 years after Einstein published his theory of stimulated emission, Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes had a breakthrough. They published a paper. This paper outlined the principles of laser technology.
Two years after their breakthrough, Theodore Mainam produced the first working laser machine in 1960. And that was the gate-opener to a better innovation.
4 years later, Kumar Patel introduced CO2 laser technology. Patel’s innovation was the real deal. It made laser technology practical for industrial applications.
In fact, a year after Patel’s innovation, Western Electric used CO2 laser cutters to drill diamonds. And 5 years after the innovation, Boeing adopted laser-cutting technology for its production lines.
So CO2 laser cutters became the preferred choice for decades. But a new contender appeared in the 21st century: Fiber lasers.
This new challenger uses fiber optics to generate laser beams. It was faster and more efficient for metal cutting. Therefore, it became the number one choice for laser-cutting metals.
Today, laser-cutting machines are part and parcel of the manufacturing and design industries. They are indispensable in the manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, and custom fabrication industries.
In fact, they are one of the bedrock of our fast world. But as with most industrial tools, they come with hazards, life-threatening hazards.
Hazards Associated with Laser Cutting
Laser cutting can lead to permanent injuries if you aren’t careful. But the potency of your injury depends on the safety class of your laser cutter.
Here is a list of laser safety classes according to IEC 60825-1 standard:
- Class 1
- Class 1M
- Class 2M
- Class 2M
- Class 3R
- Class 3B
- Class 4
Class 1 and 1M
Laser machines in this category are under 40 watts and relatively harmless. They don’t emit toxic radiation and have protective layers.
You don’t require special precautions when dealing with laser cutters in this class. But there can be electrical hazards if not properly maintained.
Examples of class 1 laser cutters are entry-level desktop cutters and educational laser cutting machines. The difference between class 1 and Class 1M lasers is that 1M lasers are hazardous when viewed with binoculars.
Class 2 and 2M lasers
Class 2 lasers are safe for short-term exposure of up to 0.25 seconds. And their visible laser lights aren’t dangerous to the naked eye. So there’s little need for much precautions.
Some examples of lasers in this category are low-power diode lasers, hobbyist lasers, and lasers found in consumer electronics. Like the Class 1M lasers, you shouldn’t view Class 2M lasers with magnifying optics.
Class 3R and 3B lasers
This is where danger enters the equation. Class 3 lasers are dangerous. They are the low-moderate-power lasers you see in industrial and commercial settings (above 100 Watts). And they can cause serious eye and skin injuries.
So you must employ caution when dealing with these lasers. You should implement safety measures such as protective barriers, interlocks, and controlled access when dealing with these lasers.
Examples of class 3B and 3R lasers are mid-range CO2 lasers, moderate fiber lasers, industrial diode lasers, and many more.
Class 4
Class 4 lasers are the most dangerous lasers. They can cause severe injuries to your eyes and skin and pose high fire risks.
Before you work with these lasers, you must have undergone special safety training. And the work environment must be fire-resistant and have adequate ventilation and fume extraction systems.
Examples of laser cutters in this class include high-power CO2 lasers above (1000W), high-power fiber lasers, industrial welding, engraving, and etching laser machines, and some surgical lasers.
Safety Measures for Working with Laser Cutters
I’ll be honest. Working with lasers at the industrial level is dangerous. And it requires strict adherence to safety measures.
Here are some safety measures to help you avoid accidents when working with laser machines:
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Create protective enclosures and interlock
- Allow access to trained staff or people only
- Implement beam control measures (beam attenuators and beam shutters)
- Ensure the work environment has a working ventilation and fume extraction system
- Conduct a detailed risk assessment to identify potential hazards
- Schedule routine maintenance and inspections
- Establish an emergency shutdown procedure
Conclusion
Laser-cutting technology has come a long way since the early 60s. And with time, it has become safer.
That said, laser cutting is still dangerous. It poses numerous risks to your health and can cause irreparable damage to your skin and eyes.
That’s why you must adhere to safety protocols. And buy safe laser cutting machines like the Hispeed laser cutter. This machine has CE Class 1 and FDA Class 2 certified machine features.
We hope this article provides enough information on laser cutting safety. So you can make rational decision that’ll protect your business and your safety.
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