Labels for laser equipment

Laser equipment requires radiation labels to warn people of the hazards involved with the radiation source.

The requirements for labelling lasers are described in the Australian Standard for safety of laser products AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 Safety of laser products - Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements.

What labels laser equipment needs to have

All laser equipment requires three types of radiation hazard labels:

  • warning label (hazard symbol)
  • explanatory label (a written description of the hazard, which may include directions to avoid exposure)
  • aperture label (to identify where the radiation is being emitted).

Labels need to be:

  • yellow with black text, borders and symbols
  • durable and permanently fixed to the equipment
  • legible and clearly visible during operation of the equipment
  • able to be seen without needing to be exposed to radiation.

Where laser labels should be placed

Larger lasers with a generator that is separate from the handpiece should:

  • have a warning label and explanatory label on the control panel
  • have an aperture label on the handpiece (close to where the radiation is emitted).

Lasers with control switches and aperture on the same device should have all labels placed on the device.

Types of laser class levels and hazards

There are 8 laser class types. The information included on the laser equipment labels will depend on the class level of the device. Lasers are classified by the amount of radiation that is emitted, wavelength and pulse characteristics.

Class

Potential hazards

Class 1

  • Safe for skin and eye exposure under normal conditions.
  • Dazzling visual effects may be caused by exposure to the direct beam of the laser, particularly in low ambient light.

Class 1M

  • Safe for skin and eye exposure under normal conditions.
  • Dazzling visual effects may be caused by exposure to the direct beam of the laser, particularly in low ambient light.
  • Eye injury may occur when using optical instruments (telescope, microscope, etc).

Class 1C

  • Cosmetic or medical lasers intended for direct application of radiation to the skin or internal body tissues
  • Eye injury is prevented by engineering means.
  • Exposure of the skin depends on how the laser is used.

Class 2

  • Safe for skin exposure.
  • Eye damage is prevented by the blink reflex (0.25 seconds exposure). Forced suppression of the blink reflex can cause eye damage.
  • Dazzle, flash-blindness and afterimages may be caused by exposure to the direct beam of the laser, particularly in low ambient light.

Class 2M

  • Safe for skin exposure.
  • Eye damage is prevented by the blink reflex (0.25 seconds exposure). Forced suppression of the blink reflex can cause eye damage.
  • Dazzle, flash-blindness and afterimages may be caused by viewing a beam from the laser, particularly under low ambient light conditions.
  • Eye injury may occur when using optical instruments.

Class 3R

  • Safe for skin exposure.
  • Eye damage may result from viewing direct and reflected beams. Normally not a diffuse reflection hazard (light reflects at many angles).
  • Dazzle, flash-blindness and afterimages may be caused by viewing a beam from the laser, particularly under low ambient light conditions.

Class 3B

  • Minor skin damage is possible.
  • Eye damage may result from viewing direct and reflected beams. Normally not a diffuse reflection hazard (light reflects at many angles).

Class 4

  • Skin and eye hazards from exposure to direct and reflected beams.
  • Eye hazard from diffuse reflections (light reflects at many angles).
  • Potential fire hazard when in contact with combustible materials. Production of laser generated air contaminants is possible (for example, chemical fumes).

Examples of labels

Class 1 laser label examples

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser:

Option 1
An explanatory label with a yellow background or a white background:

class 1 laser label

class 1 laser label white

Option 2
An alternative pictorial label:

class 1 laser pictorial

Class 1M laser label examples

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser:

Option 1
Explanatory label:

class 1m laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 1m laser pictorial

Class 1C laser label examples

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 1c laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 1c laser pictorial

Class 2 laser label examples

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 2 laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 2 laser pictorial

Class 2M laser label examples

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 2m laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 2m laser pictorial

Class 3R laser label examples

The following label should be affixed to each aperture through which the radiation is emitted (usually the handpiece):

aperture label

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser near the control switches:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 3R laser label

The explanatory label may have the works “AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM” in the second line.

Option 2:
Alternative pictorial label:

class 3R laser pictorial

Class 3B laser label examples

The following label should be affixed to each aperture through which the radiation is emitted (usually the handpiece):

aperture label

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser near the control switches:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 3B laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 3B laser pictorial

Class 4 laser label examples

The following label should be affixed to each aperture through which the radiation is emitted (usually the handpiece):

aperture label

1 of the 2 following label options should be affixed to the laser near the control switches:

Option 1
Warning label and explanatory label:

laser beam warning
class 4 laser label

Option 2
Alternative pictorial label:

class 4 laser pictorial

Last updated: 21 November 2023