Requirements
The purchase or use of a new Class 3B or Class 4 laser must be approved by EH&S. This includes devices on loan from the manufacturer or from another institution, and Class 1 microscopy station with an embedded Class 3B or Class 4 laser.
Follow the instructions on the UW Procurement website for summitting the laser requisition for EH&S Radiation Safety approval or contact the Laser Safety Officer for additional guidance.
Class 3B and Class 4 lasers at the University of Washington must be registered with the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Radiation Safety Office.
Additionally, if a laser system is classified as Class 1 or Class 2 but contains enclosed Class 3B or Class 4 lasers (e.g., in confocal microscopes or laser cutters), those Class 1 and Class 2 lasers must also be registered.
- Submit Laser Registration: Log in to the UW EHSA-Laser Registration Portal. If the link does not work, please contact Radiation Safety.
- Review and Risk Assessment: After registration, the Laser Safety Officer will review the submission and schedule a risk assessment session with the lab/PI.
- Completion of Registration: A complete laser registration will include a laser inventory tag and a risk assessment report (including an evaluation of laser protective eyewear) provided by the Laser Safety Officer.
- Approval and Inventory Update: Once approved, the laser will be added to the lab inventory or the Laser Use Authorization (LUA).
Follow the instructions in the EHSA Guide: Laser Registration to register your laser in EHSA database. If you are unsure of your registration status or LUA, please contact the Laser Safety Officer or Radiation Safety.
Every two years, Principal Investigators (PIs) and Permit Contacts (PCs) at the University of Washington are required to review and inventory all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers in their possession or laboratories. A Laser Use Authorization (LUA) with the current inventory is sent to all PIs and PCs who have Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers via email.
PIs and PCs can review and verify their registered laser inventory and LUA through the UW Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) database.
Follow the instructions in the EHSA Guide: View and Verify Current Laser Inventory to review and verify your laser inventory in EHSA database.
All Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must be inspected by the Laser Safety Officer before first use. Additionally, safety control measures will be discussed to ensure they can be operated safely and meet necessary requirements.
New construction and renovation
All new laser labs and labs under renovation refer to the Environmental Health & Safety section of the UW Facilities Design Standard and contact the Laser Safety Officer for additional requirements.
The laser supervisor must ensure personnel are adequately trained before allowing them to operate, maintain, service or work in the vicinity of lasers. Training includes attending the EH&S Laser Worker Safety course, training on the specific laser equipment and the Laser Safety Procedures used in the lab, provided by the supervisor, Principal Investigator (PI) or experienced user.
Information on specific laser applications is provided on the following focus sheets:
All personnel who work with lasers must be made familiar with the Laser Safety Procedure (or standard operating procedure) developed by the supervisor or PI.
The Laser Safety Procedure should address alignments, maintenance and normal operations procedures; all hazards; types of PPE; and emergency procedures associated with the particular laser system.
Please contact the Laser Safety Officer to initiate proper sales, transfer or disposal of laser equipment.
Each laser must be disabled and verified nonoperational (with a Radiation Safety Clearance Tag attached to the device) before sending it to UW Surplus.
Follow the instructions and guidelines provided in the Laser Transfer and Disposal Guideline.