he UK requirements for laser eye protection have for many years been defined in two European Standards, BS EN 207 (Personal eye-protection equipment – Filters and eye-protectors against laser radiation) and BS EN 208 (Personal eye-protection. Eye-protectors for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems). BS EN 207 covers full protection for a laser of any wavelength whereas BS EN 208 deals with the particular case of visible lasers where it is necessary to be able to see the beam for alignment purposes. (Full protection for a visible laser under BS EN 207 can render the beam invisible.)

Although these standards are reasonably straightforward to use, they can be restrictive, making them difficult to apply to certain more complex exposure situations. In addition, because they utilise simplified exposure limits, they can greatly exaggerate the level of protection actually required, and they also link together both the optical density of the filter with its damage threshold into a single scale number, even though these are separate, independent properties of an optical filter. Because of these issues, these standards have not been adopted widely outside Europe, resulting in inconsistencies around the world as to how eye protection for laser radiation should be specified.

To overcome these problems, work was begun within ISO, initiated by the UK, to develop an international standard for laser eye protection. This resulted in the publication in 2021 of ISO 19818-1 (Eye and face protection — Protection against laser radiation Part 1: Requirements and test methods). Face protection is included within the scope of this new standard to enable manufacturers to supply full-face protection (i.e. face shields), where appropriate, for situations, as with certain ultraviolet lasers, where there could be a significant risk of harm to the skin as well as to the eyes.

It was, and remains, the intention that ISO 19818-1 should replace both EN 207 and EN 208 in Europe, including the UK. (European standards have wider applicability within Europe than just the EU, and the UK remains an active voting member of the European standards bodies.) Some manufactures already supply laser protection complying with the new standard. However, the process of ratifying the ISO standard to become a European (EN) standard and replace both 207 and 208 has stalled due to the inaction of the relevant subcommittee of CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation). Pressure to get past this blockage has so far failed, so that in the meantime BS EN 207 and BS EN 208 remain, unfortunately, the de facto laser eye protection standards in the UK.

Lasers can be found in a wide range of applications. In industrial applications, lasers are used for measuring, materials processing, data retrieval and image illumination. In research, the applications provide some of the most important tools to researchers within physics, chemistry and biology. In medicine, the laser produces precision tools for use in surgery as well as many other therapy based processes. The use of lasers in conjunction with fibre optics provides the telecommunications and IT industries with wide bandwidth communication methods. Within environmental services, laser technology is being used to great effect for environmental diagnostics. In media and entertainment, laser light shows and other laser effects continue to amaze audiences.

As laser devices produce intense beams of light over a wide wavelength range from the far Ultra-violet to the Far Infrared (180nm to 1mm), laser light encompasses the visible and invisible spectrum. This feature coupled with the potential for extremely high energies in small diameter beams means that there is a high potential of injury. Thus the safe application and use of lasers is paramount.

The Association’s Members actively promote laser safety in all fields of application. Many of the Members support National and International Standards-making organisations and contribute to policies established by Regulators and Enforcement Agencies. These policies set the requirements on Employers and others to ensure the safety of the workforce and the public.

The Association’s Members establish and give guidance on all aspects of Laser Safety Programmes. These programmes include the identification of hazards, the assessment of risk, the introduction of suitable controls be they engineering or administrative, and the practical implementation of those programmes into working environments and the subsequent audit, monitoring and review to ensure effective and continual implementation.

Contact the Association for more details.