29 CFR §1926.54
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install, adjust, and operate laser equipment.
- (b)Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be available and in possession of the operator at all times.
- (c)Employees, when working in areas in which a potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in subpart E of this part.
- (d)Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards.
- (e)Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized, or the laser turned off, when laser transmission is not actually required. When the laser is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour, overnight, or at change of shifts, the laser shall be turned off.
- (f)Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.
- (g)The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.
- (h)When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, the operation of laser systems shall be prohibited where practicable; in any event, employees shall be kept out of range of the area of source and target during such weather conditions.
- (i)Laser equipment shall bear a label to indicate maximum output.
- (j)Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above:
- (k)Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.
- (l)Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.