[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.54]

[Page 30]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart D_Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
 
Sec. 1926.54  Nonionizing radiation.

    (a) Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to 
install, adjust, and operate laser equipment.
    (b) Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be 
available and in possession of the operator at all times.
    (c) Employees, when working in areas in which a potential exposure 
to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 
milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection 
devices as specified in subpart E of this part.
    (d) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard 
laser warning placards.
    (e) Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized, or the laser turned 
off, when laser transmission is not actually required. When the laser is 
left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch 
hour, overnight, or at change of shifts, the laser shall be turned off.
    (f) Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector 
for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.
    (g) The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.
    (h) When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in 
the air, the operation of laser systems shall be prohibited where 
practicable; in any event, employees shall be kept out of range of the 
area of source and target during such weather conditions.
    (i) Laser equipment shall bear a label to indicate maximum output.
    (j) Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above:
    (1) Direct staring: 1 micro-watt per square centimeter;
    (2) Incidental observing: 1 milliwatt per square centimeter;
    (3) Diffused reflected light: 2\1/2\ watts per square centimeter.
    (k) Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the 
employees, when possible.
    (l) Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in 
excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.