Hot and coldgame

The University possesses many Class 3B and 4 lasers for research and development purposes. Procedures must be in place and in conformance with the American National Standards for the Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development, or Testing (ANSI Z136.8). All operators of Class 3B and 4 lasers must be trained.

The University’s Radiation Safety Office coordinates laser safety program development in conjunction with the Principal Investigator (PI) and research staff where Class 3B and 4 lasers are utilized. Should you need to purchase equipment containing a Class 3B or 4 laser, have any questions pertaining to the use of lasers, need to deactivate equipment containing an Class 3B or 4 laser, or have general questions regarding laser devices, please contact the Radiation Safety Office at 803-777-2841 or 803-777-7530.

Hot and coldmedicine

Lasers generate coherent, monochromatic light in many wavelengths, both visible and invisible, depending on the type of laser. The property of coherence makes lasers very different than typical light sources; and very hazardous to the eyes and/or skin.

All lasers used on University property must have the hazard class label clearly legible on the device. The laser hazard classes and their meaning are below:

to no longer have a job, marriage, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. at the present time, but expect or be likely to get another one

Hot and coldmeaning

The United States Federal Performance Standards for Light Emitting Products requires manufacturers and/or importers of laser devices to assign a hazard class to all lasers distributed for use. All lasers must have a durable label on the device with the hazard class indicated.

The properties of coherence makes lasers hazardous even at very low powers. Some lasers operating at a power of just a few milliWatts (mW) or less can cause instantaneous damage to the eye and/or skin if exposed. Because laser light is monochromatic and coherent, the distances with which lasers can be hazardous are quite long; typically miles long.