Laser Safety
Program Description
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Environmental Health and Safety has developed a program to provide guidance to University faculty, staff, and students for the safe use of lasers and laser systems and to ensure compliance with the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z 136-2007).
The objectives of the University of Pittsburgh Laser Safety Program are to:
- identify potential hazards to health and safety associated with lasers, laser systems, and laser operations and to prescribe suitable means for the evaluation and control of these hazards;
- investigate all laser accidents and institute immediate corrective action to prevent reoccurrence;
- provide guidance for compliance with Federal regulations; and
- make specific reference to such regulations where appropriate.
The University has designated a laser safety officer (LSO) to monitor and enforce the control of laser hazards and to effect the knowledgeable evaluation and control of laser hazards for all circumstances of operation, maintenance, and service of Class 3b or Class 4 laser systems. The LSO is a member of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Resources
Registration of Lasers at Pitt
All users of lasers and laser systems at the University of Pittsburgh are required to register EACH of their Class 3b or Class 4 lasers with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (University Laser Safety Officer.)
To obtain a registration form, Laser Users should:
- download the Laser Registration Form (MS Word 7.0 format or PDF), or
- request a form via e-mail from the Laser Safety Officer.
Submit complete forms to EH&S by fax to 412-624-8524 or campus mail to Laser Safety Officer, Public Safety Building, Fourth Floor, 3412 Forbes Ave.