Laser Safety at UMass Lowell

The Laser Safety Program is managed by the Radiation Safety Office, a subset of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). We are here to ensure that laser use on campus be conducted in a safe manner while regulatory compliance is followed. This section of the website regarding lasers, covers topics to assist any current or future users setting up or maintaining a laser lab on campus. The campus laser policies can be seen in the links below:

Laser Pointer Safety

It is the responsibility of the user to follow the campus laser pointer safety program. Injuries or damages resulting from the failure to follow, will be the responsibility of the user.

Laser pointers are a useful communication tool, but some can pose a hazard to the user and those around them.

  • Never stare into a laser beam. Always point the laser away from the audience, and keep your finger off the power button when facing the audience.
  • Do not point the laser at shiny surfaces that can cause an unwanted reflection (Whiteboards, stainless steel, smooth glossy paint, etc.)
  • Do not use laser pointers around collecting optics (microscopes, lenses, binoculars, etc.)
  • Lasers with power, greater than 5 milliwatts (mW) (Class 3B and Class 4), must be registered with radiation safety and are not a laser pointer, they are handheld lasers and can cause an immediate eye or hazard.
  • Not all laser pointers that state "less than 5mW", are actually below 5mW. This is more common in pointers from outside the US (some found on the internet).  The Radiation Safety Office can measure your laser pointer to verify its power to protect you from unknowing misuse.

For all the requirements of laser pointer please take the time to review the University of Massachusetts Lowell Laser Pointer Safety Guidelines. With any questions, please feel free to contact the Radiation Safety Office

Laser Cutter Safety

A Laser Cutter, sometimes called a 3D laser cutter, Laser etcher, or laser prototyping machine, is not to be confused with a Laser Printer (the thing that spits out paper with ink on it) or a 3d Printer, one that uses an additive building process (layer by layer without a laser). Laser cutters can be hazardous if used improperly, either to the user or bystander. Only those that follow the manufacturers procedures and does not bypass any of the safety features should use a laser cutter. Please take the time to review the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) Laser Cutter Safety Guidelines (pdf, must read).

New Laser Cutter Installation

When ordering through the campus ordering system (Buyways), be sure to use the commodity code 41115307, and acct 763210, or 767550) at checkout. Email: ehs@uml.edu to ensure laser cutter exhaust is sufficient.

Submit a new equipment request through UML Facilities (used by facilities to determine heat loading, ventilation req., electrical needs, etc.) Facilities New Equipment Installation form, at the bottom of the page. Email: Radiation_Safety@uml.edu and include:

  1. A statement that "all users will follow the Campus requirements and manufacturers procedures, specifically not bypassing any of the interlocks which would violate the class 1 laser status (door, panels, etc.)".
  2. Include the laser information (Manufacturer, Model, Serial number).
  3. Location (Building and room number).

Existing Laser Cutter Relocation

  1. Email: Radiation_Safety@uml.edu. Include the lasers that are moving, and their new location (building and room number).
  2. Email: ehs@uml.edu to ensure laser cutter exhaust is sufficient.
  3. Submit a new equipment request through UML Facilities (used by facilities to determine heat loading, ventilation req., electrical needs, etc.) Facilities New Equipment Installation form, at the bottom of the page.