LASER SAFETY COMPLIANCE SERVICES
With competitively priced services geared to ensure compliance with safety legislation and sensible laser safety management, we provide advice, support and safety training for aesthetic clinics and other establishments using laser and intense light equipment.
LASER is an acronym of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In the beauty industry, lasers are generally used for non-invasive cosmetic treatments, such as removal of; hair, tattoos, birthmarks, acne scarring, and other blemishes, from the skin.
Class 3B lasers
Radiation in this class is likely to be dangerous, maximum output into the eye must not exceed 500mW. The radiation can be hazardous to the eye or skin, but viewing of diffuse reflection is safe.
Class 4 laser
This is the highest class of laser radiation, diffuse reflection is also hazardous. If used incorrectly it can cause serious skin and eye injuries and is capable of setting fire to material.
Intense Light Systems (ILS)
Intense light systems are generally treated as class 4 lasers. Intense Pulsed light (IPL) systems fall into this category and are the intense light system generally used for non-invasive cosmetic treatments found in the beauty industry. IPL is pulsed or shuttered emission which gives tissues time to cool between pulses.
Laser Protection Advisor - LPA
The SHAW Group LPA, is a competent person who can provide expert advice on laser/ILS safety. Our LPA assists in the production of the ‘Local Rules’ and laser/ILS risk assessment documents that are specific to the licence holder’s equipment/premise.
The Local Rules document identifies the named person authorised to operate the laser/ILS, which must only be used in accordance with them.
Our documentation is bespoke to each laser or ILS device and its clinical application.
For Local Authority licensing purposes, an initial visit is required by an LPA prior to operation.
Legislation, Standards and Guidance:
- The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 to implement EC Directive 2006/25/EC
- British Standard BS EN 60825-1:2014 Safety of laser products - Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements
- PD IEC TR 60825-14:2004 Safety of laser products - Part 14: A user's guide (originally included in Part 1 of the British Standard)
- Other British Standards in this series cover laser processing machines, optical fibre communication systems (OFCS), and laser displays and shows
- Health and Safety Executive Guidance for Employers on the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations (AOR) 2010 available to download from www.hse.gov.uk. The HSE website also has general information about lasers used for display purposes
