IEC TR 60825-14:2022

IEC TR 60825-14 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Safety of laser products –
Part 14: A user's guide
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IEC TR 60825-14 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Safety of laser products –
Part 14: A user's guide
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 31.260 ISBN 978-2-8322-1087-7

– 2 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
INTRODUCTION . 9
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms, definitions and symbols. 11
3.1 Terms and definitions . 11
3.2 Symbols . 11
4 Administrative policies . 13
4.1 Safety responsibilities . 13
4.2 Competent Person . 13
4.3 Laser Safety Officer . 13
4.4 Information and training . 14
4.5 Levels of competence . 15
4.5.1 Laser Protection Adviser . 15
4.5.2 Laser Safety Officer . 15
4.5.3 Laser Safety Supervisor . 17
4.5.4 Laser user . 17
4.5.5 Awareness for other persons . 17
4.6 Training requirements . 18
4.7 Accreditation . 18
5 Laser radiation hazards . 19
5.1 Laser products . 19
5.1.1 Laser product classification . 19
5.1.2 Product classes . 19
5.1.3 Embedded lasers . 22
5.1.4 Optical fibres . 23
5.1.5 Laser demonstrations and displays . 23
5.1.6 Consumer laser products . 24
5.2 Exposure to laser radiation . 24
5.2.1 Maximum permissible exposure . 24
5.2.2 Transient visual effects . 24
5.3 Determining the level of laser exposure . 25
5.3.1 The effective exposure . 25
5.3.2 Limiting apertures . 26
5.3.3 Angle of acceptance for the assessment of exposure from extended
sources. 27
5.3.4 Use of binoculars . 29
6 Determining the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) . 29
6.1 General remarks . 29
6.2 Repetitively pulsed or modulated lasers . 36
6.3 Multiple wavelengths . 38
6.4 Extended source MPEs . 38
6.5 Hazard distance and hazard area. 39
6.5.1 Nominal ocular hazard distance . 39
6.5.2 Nominal ocular hazard area . 39
7 Associated hazards . 40

7.1 Additional health hazards . 40
7.2 Hazards arising from the laser . 40
7.2.1 Electricity. 40
7.2.2 Collateral radiation . 40
7.2.3 Other laser radiation . 41
7.2.4 Hazardous substances . 41
7.2.5 Fume . 41
7.2.6 Noise . 41
7.2.7 Mechanical hazards . 41
7.2.8 Fire, explosion and thermal damage . 41
7.2.9 Heat and cold . 42
7.3 Hazards arising from the environment . 42
7.3.1 Temperature and humidity . 42
7.3.2 Mechanical shock and vibration . 42
7.3.3 Atmospheric effects . 42
7.3.4 Electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference . 42
7.3.5 Power supply interruption or fluctuation . 42
7.3.6 Computer software problems . 42
7.3.7 Ergonomic and human-factor considerations . 42
7.4 Control of associated hazards . 43
8 Evaluating risk . 43
8.1 Hazards and risks . 43
8.2 Risk assessment: Stage 1 – Identifying potentially injurious situations . 44
8.2.1 General . 44
8.2.2 The hazards involved . 44
8.2.3 The laser environment . 44
8.2.4 The people at risk . 44
8.3 Risk assessment: Stage 2 – Assessing risk for potentially injurious situations . 45
8.3.1 General . 45
8.3.2 Frequency . 45
8.3.3 Severity . 45
8.3.4 Resultant risk . 45
8.4 Risk assessment: Stage 3 – Selecting control measures . 46
9 Control measures . 46
9.1 General . 46
9.2 Hazard reduction . 47
9.3 Enclosing the hazard . 48
9.3.1 Beam enclosures . 48
9.3.2 Viewing windows . 48
9.3.3 Interlock protection . 48
9.4 Hazard mitigation . 49
9.4.1 Preventing access . 49
9.4.2 Laser controlled areas . 50
9.4.3 Local rules and procedures . 56
9.4.4 Localized risk reduction . 57
9.4.5 Personal protection . 58
9.4.6 Protective clothing . 61
9.5 Equipment servicing . 61
9.5.1 Increased risks during laser equipment servicing . 61

– 4 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
9.5.2 Temporary laser controlled areas. 61
9.5.3 Controls during servicing . 62
9.5.4 Visiting installation and service engineers . 62
10 Maintenance of safe operation . 62
11 Contingency plans . 63
11.1 General . 63
11.2 Dealing with an actual eye injury . 63
11.3 Dealing with an actual skin injury . 63
11.4 Dealing with a suspected eye injury . 64
12 Incident reporting and accident investigation . 64
13 Medical surveillance . 64
Annex A (informative) Examples of interlock systems for laser controlled areas . 65
A.1 General . 65
A.2 Common elements . 65
A.2.1 Interlock control system . 65
A.2.2 Door interlock switches . 65
A.2.3 Override switches . 65
A.2.4 Shutter . 66
A.2.5 Illuminated warning sign . 66
A.2.6 Emergency stop switch . 66
A.2.7 Electric locks (door strikes) . 66
A.2.8 Non-locking interlock systems (see Figure A.1) . 66
A.2.9 Locking interlock systems (see Figure A.2) . 66
Annex B (informative) Examples of calculations . 69
B.1 General . 69
B.2 Symbols used in the examples of Annex B . 69
B.3 Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) – Overview . 69
B.4 Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) – Single small source . 70
B.4.1 General . 70
B.4.2 Example for a helium-cadmium laser . 70
B.4.3 Example for a pulsed ruby laser . 70
B.4.4 Example for a single pulse of a gallium-arsenide laser . 70
B.4.5 Example for a continuous wave helium-neon laser . 71
B.5 Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) – Repetitively pulsed systems . 71
B.5.1 General . 71
B.5.2 Example for a pulsed argon laser. 71
B.5.3 Example for a pulsed Nd:YAG laser . 73
B.6 Nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD) . 74
B.6.1 General . 74
B.6.2 Example NOHD for a Gaussian beam with negligible atmospheric
attenuation . 79
B.6.3 Example of NOHD with beam expanding optics . 80
B.6.4 Example of NOHD with atmospheric attenuation . 80
B.6.5 Example of NOHD for a helium-neon laser with an expanding beam . 81
B.6.6 Example for an infrared surveying instrument . 82
B.6.7 Example for a Q-switched rangefinder . 83
B.6.8 Example for a CW optical fibre transmitter . 85
B.7 Diffuse reflections that are extended sources . 87

B.7.1 General . 87
B.7.2 Example for a reflection from a perfect diffuser . 88
B.7.3 Example for close viewing of reflection from a perfect diffuser . 89
B.7.4 Example for assessing the minimum safe viewing distance . 90
B.8 Eye protection . 90
B.8.1 General . 90
B.8.2 Example protective eyewear for example B.6.7 . 91
B.8.3 Example protective eyewear for example B.6.2 . 91
B.9 Example for a complex laser diode array source . 92
B.9.1 General . 92
B.9.2 Single diode . 94
B.9.3 Horizontal two-diode group . 95
B.9.4 Vertical two-diode group . 95
B.9.5 Four-diode group . 95
B.9.6 One row of 10 diodes . 96
B.9.7 20-diode group . 97
B.9.8 Additional remarks . 97
B.9.9 Required optical density . 98
B.9.10 Use of an optical device. 98
Annex C (informative) Biophysical considerations . 100
C.1 Anatomy of the eye . 100
C.2 The effects of laser radiation on biological tissue . 101
C.2.1 General . 101
C.2.2 Hazards to the eye . 103
C.2.3 Skin hazards . 106
C.3 MPEs and irradiance averaging . 107
Bibliography . 108

Figure 1 – Measurement set-ups to achieve a well-defined angle of acceptance . 28
Figure 2 – Combination of safety signs . 54
Figure 3 – Warning; Laser beam symbol (ISO 7010-W004:2011-05), . 54
Figure 4 – Wear eye protection symbol (ISO 7010-M004:2011-05) . 55
Figure 5 – No thoroughfare symbol (ISO 7010-P004:2011-05) . 56
Figure A.1 – Non-locking interlock system . 67
Figure A.2 – Locking interlock system . 68
Figure B.1 – Nominal ocular hazard distance . 75
Figure B.2 – Chart for determining the NOHD (with various atmospheric attenuation

factors from the NOHD found without considering atmospheric attenuation) . 78
Figure B.3 – Laser diode array with three groupings . 92
Figure C.1 – Anatomy of the eye . 100
Figure C.2 – Diagram of laser-induced damage in biological systems . 102

Table 1 – Default protective control measures for laser products . 22
Table 2 – The diameter of the limiting aperture applicable to measurements of
irradiance and radiant exposure (t is time of the relevant exposure, either pulse
duration or total exposure) . 26
Table 3 – Typical transmission percentages for binoculars . 29

– 6 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
Table 4 – Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) at the cornea for small sources
a,b
expressed as irradiance or radiant exposure . 31
Table 5 – Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) at the cornea for extended sources in
the wavelength range from 400 nm to 1 400 nm (retinal hazard region) expressed as
irradiance or radiant exposure . 32
Table 6 – Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) of Table 4 (C = 1) for the
a,b
wavelength range from 400 nm to 1 400 nm expressed as power or energy . 33
Table 7 – Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) of Table 5 (extended sources) for the
a,b
wavelength range from 400 nm to 1 400 nm expressed as power or energy . 34
a,b
Table 8 – Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) of the skin to laser radiation . 35
Table 9 – Correction factors and breakpoints for use in MPE evaluations . 35
Table 10 – Duration T below which pulse groups are summed up . 38
i
Table 11 – Additivity of effects on eye (O) and skin (S) of radiation of different spectral
regions . 38
Table 12 – Laser controlled areas . 51
Table C.1 – Summary of pathological effects from excessive exposure to light . 104
Table C.2 – Explanation of measurement apertures applied to the MPEs . 107

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SAFETY OF LASER PRODUCTS –
Part 14: A user's guide
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
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preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC TR 60825-14 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 76: Optical radiation safety
and laser equipment. It is a Technical Report.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2004. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) incorporates changes made in IEC 60825-1:2014;
b) adds information to users of laser equipment on administrative controls to ensure safety in
the workplace, including the training and appointment of people to specific laser safety
management roles;
c) updates an approach to risk assessment;
d) includes updated guidance on the management of incidents and accidents;
e) includes updated guidance on medical surveillance for laser workers;
f) includes revised examples of calculations.

– 8 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
76/661/DTR 76/693/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Report is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts of the IEC 60825 series, published under the general title Safety of laser
products, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

INTRODUCTION
To help in the use of this document, an outline of the topics that are covered within it is given
below. The topics are presented in the order in which they would normally be considered as
part of a laser safety programme.
– Safety responsibilities with regard to the operation of lasers and the need for appropriate
training are covered in Clause 4.
– The meaning of the laser product classes and the assessment of laser exposure are covered
in Clause 5.
– The determination of the maximum permissible exposure (MPE), and the concept of the
hazard distance and hazard zone within which the MPE can be exceeded, are covered in
Clause 6.
– Associated laser hazards (that is, hazards other than those of eye or skin exposure to the
emitted laser beam) are covered in Clause 7.
– A three-stage process for evaluating risk (arising from both the laser radiation hazards
discussed in Clause 5 and Clause 6, and the associated laser hazards discussed in
Clause 7) is covered in Clause 8. These three stages are
1) the identification of potentially injurious situations,
2) the assessment of the risk arising from these situations, and
3) the determination of the necessary protective measures.
– The use of control measures for reducing the risk to an acceptable level is covered in
Clause 9.
– The need to ensure the continuation over time of safe laser operation is covered in
Clause 10.
– The reporting of laser-related hazardous incidents and the investigation of accidents is
covered in Clause 11 and Clause 12.
– The role of medical surveillance (eye examinations) is covered in Clause 13.
– Additional information on the use of interlock protection is given in Annex A.
– Examples of laser safety calculations are given in Annex B.
– An explanation of the biophysical effects of laser exposure to the eyes and skin is given in
Annex C.
– 10 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
SAFETY OF LASER PRODUCTS –
Part 14: A user's guide
1 Scope
This document provides guidance on best practices in the safe use of laser products that
conform to IEC 60825-1. The terms "laser product" and "laser equipment" as used in this
document also refer to any device, assembly or system that is capable of emitting optical
radiation produced by a process of stimulated emission.
Class 1 laser products normally pose no beam hazard and Class 2 and Class 3R laser products
present only a minimal beam hazard. With these products, it is normally sufficient to follow the
warnings on the product labels and the manufacturer's instructions for safe use. It is unlikely
that further protective measures as described in this document will be necessary.
This document emphasizes evaluation of the risk from higher power lasers, but the users of the
lower power lasers can benefit from the information provided
This document can be applied to the use of any product that incorporates a laser, whether or
not it is sold or offered for sale. Therefore, it applies to specially constructed lasers (including
experimental and prototype systems).
This document is intended to help laser users and their employers to understand the general
principles of safety management, to identify the hazards that can be present, to assess the risks
of harm that can arise, and to set up and maintain appropriate control measures. Although the
guidance given in this document is aimed principally at organizations (whether private,
corporate or public), where systems of safety management would be expected to be in place, it
can be applied by anyone using lasers.
Laser control measures vary widely. They depend on the type of laser equipment in use, the
task or process being performed, the environment in which the equipment is used and the
personnel who are at risk of harm. Specific requirements for certain laser applications are given
in other documents in the IEC 60825 series.
The terms "reasonably foreseeable" and "reasonably foreseen" are used in this document in
relation to certain specific events, situations or conditions. It is the responsibility of the person
using this document to determine what is "reasonably foreseeable" and what occurrences might
be "reasonably foreseen", and to be able to defend, on the basis of risk-assessment criteria,
any such judgements that are made.
Reference is made in this document to laser "users". This includes persons having responsibility
for safety in addition to those who actually work with or operate laser equipment.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60825-1:2014, Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements

3 Terms, definitions and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60825-1:2014 and
the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
control measure
precaution adopted to reduce the risk of harm occurring
Note 1 to entry: Control measures include engineering controls (safety features incorporated into the laser
equipment), administrative controls (documented policies, operating procedures, safety training, etc.) and personnel
protection (safety equipment including eye protection that is worn by individuals).
3.1.2
laser equipment
laser product
assembly that is a laser or contains a laser
3.1.3
optical density
OD
D(λ)
logarithm to base ten of the reciprocal of the transmittance τ
D(λ) = −log τ
3.1.4
protective enclosure
physical means for preventing human exposure to laser radiation unless such access is
necessary for the intended functions of the installation
3.2 Symbols
Symbol Unit Definition
a m Diameter of the emergent laser beam.
α rad The angle subtended by an apparent source (or a diffuse reflection) as viewed at a
point in space.
α rad Angle at the eye subtending the apparent source of radiation at a distance of
f
r = 100 mm.
f
α rad Minimum angle subtended by a source for which the extended source criterion
min
applies (α = 1,5 mrad).
min
α rad The value of angular subtense of the apparent source above which the MPEs are
max
independent of the source size (α = 5 mrad to 100 mrad, see Table 10).
max
C , C , …, C no units Correction factors (see Table 9).
1 2 7
d m Diameter of the smallest circle at a specified distance, r, from the apparent source
u
that contains u % of the total laser power (or energy). In the case of a Gaussian
beam, d corresponds to the points where the irradiance (or radiant exposure)
falls to 1/e of its central peak value.
D(λ) no units Optical (transmittance) density defined as the logarithm to base 10 of the reciprocal of
the transmittance (see also IEV 845-04-66).

– 12 – IEC TR 60825-14:2022 © IEC 2022
Symbol Unit Definition
D m Diameter of the exit pupil of an optical system.
e
D m Diameter of the objective of an optical system.
o
η no units Fraction of the total laser power (or energy) collected through a specified aperture
located at a specified distance, r, from the apparent source.
F Hz Pulse repetition frequency.
G no units Square root of the ratio of retinal irradiance or radiant exposure received by an
optically aided eye to that received by an unaided eye.
−2
H Radiant exposure or
J⋅m
−2
E irradiance at a specified distance, r, from the apparent source.
W⋅m
−2
H Emergent beam radiant exposure or
J⋅m
o
−2
E irradiance at zero distance from the apparent source.
W⋅m
o
k no units Irradiance averaging factor with values ranging from k = 1 for beams having
Gaussian profiles to k = 2,5 for beams of unknown mode structure.
−2 −1
L
Integrated radiance of an extended source.
J⋅m ⋅sr
p
λ nm Wavelength of laser radiation.
M no units Magnification of an optical instrument.
−2
H Maximum permissible exposure.
J⋅m
MPE
−2
or W⋅m
E
MPE
−1
µ Atmospheric attenuation coefficient at a specified wavelength.
m
N no units Number of pulses contained within an exposure duration.
NA no units Numerical aperture of a laser source.
NA no units Numerical aperture of a microscope objective
m
P W Total radiant power (radiant flux) of a CW laser, or average radiant power of a
o
repetitively pulsed laser.
P W Radiant power within a pulse of a pulsed laser.
p
R m Nominal ocular hazard distance.
NOH
R m Extended nominal ocular hazard distance.
NOH,E
φ rad Divergence angle of an emergent laser beam
π no units The numerical constant 3,142.
Q J Total radiant energy of a pulsed laser.
r m Distance from the apparent source to the viewer, measurement aperture, or diffuse
target.
r
m Distance from the laser target to the viewer or measurement aperture.
r m Maximum distance from the laser target to the viewer where extended source
1,max
viewing conditions apply.
t s Time duration of a single laser pulse.
T s Total exposure duration of a train of pulses.
T , T s Time breakpoints (see Table 10).
1 2
4 Administrative policies
4.1 Safety responsibilities
Safety responsibilities may be specified by national or local regulations. In the absence of any
specific legislation or regulations, the following are some general guides on responsibilities for
the safe use of lasers.
Employers and employees, and all users of lasers (including students) and those supervising
or overseeing them, have a role to play in maintaining a safe place of work (environment) and
in ensuring that their activities do not present unacceptable levels of risk to themselves or to
others.
In any place of work in which lasers are in use, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that
the risks to health arising from the use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of laser equipment
are properly assessed. The employer needs to take all necessary steps to ensure that these
risks are either eliminated or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduced to an acceptably
low level.
Wherever potentially hazardous lasers are in use, the employer (or any other person having
overall responsibility) should establish a general policy for the safe management of these
hazards, although specific safety tasks may be delegated to others. This policy, which should
be an integral part of the organization's overall safety policy, should require that all reasonably
foreseeable hazards arising from laser use are identified and that steps are taken to control
them so far as is reasonably practicable. Significant findings of this assessment should be
documented and appropriate protective measures implemented wherever necessary to reduce
the identified health and safety risks. The effectiveness of such protective measures should be
reviewed regularly. These requirements for establishing a specific safety policy for lasers are
not normally necessary where only laser products in Class 1, Class 1C, Class 2, or Class 3R
are in use, and may not always be necessary for laser products in Class 1M or Class 2M, but
see Table 1 concerning protective control measures, 5.1.3 concerning embedded lasers and
5.2.2 concerning transient visual effects.
4.2 Competent Person
Where the employer or laser user is not able, without assi
...