Laser Safety at UMass Lowell

The Laser Safety Program is managed by the Radiation Safety Office, a subset of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). We are here to ensure that laser use on campus be conducted in a safe manner while regulatory compliance is followed. This section of the website regarding lasers, covers topics to assist any current or future users setting up or maintaining a laser lab on campus. The campus laser policies can be seen in the links below:

Laser Pointer Safety

It is the responsibility of the user to follow the campus laser pointer safety program. Injuries or damages resulting from the failure to follow, will be the responsibility of the user.

Laser pointers are a useful communication tool, but some can pose a hazard to the user and those around them.

  • Never stare into a laser beam. Always point the laser away from the audience, and keep your finger off the power button when facing the audience.
  • Do not point the laser at shiny surfaces that can cause an unwanted reflection (Whiteboards, stainless steel, smooth glossy paint, etc.)
  • Do not use laser pointers around collecting optics (microscopes, lenses, binoculars, etc.)
  • Lasers with power, greater than 5 milliwatts (mW) (Class 3B and Class 4), must be registered with radiation safety and are not a laser pointer, they are handheld lasers and can cause an immediate eye or skin hazard.
  • Not all laser pointers that state "less than 5mW", are actually below 5mW. This is more common in pointers from outside the US (some found on the internet).  
  • The Radiation Safety Office can measure your laser pointer to verify its power, to protect you from unknowing misuse.

For all the requirements of laser pointers please take the time to review the University of Massachusetts Lowell Laser Pointer Safety Guidelines. With any questions, please feel free to contact the Radiation Safety Office

Laser Cutter Safety

A Laser Cutter, sometimes called a 3D laser cutter, Laser etcher, or laser prototyping machine, is not to be confused with a Laser Printer (the thing that spits out paper with ink on it) or a 3D Printer, one that uses an additive building process (layer by layer without a laser). Laser cutters can be hazardous if used improperly, either to the user or bystander. Only those that follow the manufacturers procedures and does not bypass any of the safety features should use a laser cutter. Please take the time to review the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) Laser Cutter Safety Guidelines (pdf, MUST READ).

New Laser Cutter Installation

When ordering through the campus ordering system (Buyways), be sure to use the commodity code 12142200, and account code 739650 at checkout.

Submit a new equipment request through UML Facilities (used by facilities to determine heat loading, ventilation req., electrical needs, etc.) Facilities New Equipment Installation form, at the bottom of the page.

Email: Radiation_Safety@uml.edu and include:

  1. A statement that "all users will follow the Campus requirements and manufacturers procedures, specifically not bypassing any of the interlocks which would violate the class 1 laser status (door, panels, etc.)".
  2. Include the laser information (Manufacturer, Model, Serial number).
  3. Location (Building and room number).

Email: ehs@uml.edu to ensure laser cutter exhaust is sufficient.

Existing Laser Cutter Relocation

  1. Email: Radiation_Safety@uml.edu. Include the lasers that are moving, and their new location (building and room number).
  2. Email: ehs@uml.edu to ensure laser cutter exhaust is sufficient in the new location.
  3. Submit a new equipment request through UML Facilities (used by facilities to determine heat loading, ventilation requirements, electrical needs, and more.) Facilities New Equipment Installation form, at the bottom of the page.

Acquiring a Laser

The Radiation Safety Office is only responsible for the laser safety program for lasers that we know about, while they are used on campus, and only for approved uses.  Safe use of lasers (along with any other hazard) within a lab/location is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI).  To this point, the PI must follow laser requirements for operation/notification, training, etc. (under the laser requirements webpage)  

If you are acquiring a laser either through a donation, ordering, or other mean, our office can help you understand the requirements for using the laser on campus, so these requirements can be accounted for (controls ordered, PPE ordered etc.) as to not slow your research/use down while waiting for controls to arrive. 

If ordered through buyways:

  • upon checkout use commodity code 41115307-Lasers and 3D printers, account code 763210
  • send an email to Radiation_Safety@uml.edu, with the product manual or specification sheet (maybe a web URL), the lab location, and the principal investigators name. 

If you are receiving a laser by other means: 

  • send an email  Radiation_Safety@uml.edu, with the product manual or specification sheet (maybe a web URL), the lab location, and the principal investigators name. 
  • if transferring from an existing lab, please let us know where and from whom, so we can properly inventory with the state of Massachusetts

Custom holds (FDA accession number requests)

We cannot assist with lasers held at customs, these are lasers coming from outside the United States, these are the responsibility of the laser manufacturer and the PI.  We can advise, that if you ever see a FDA form that is asking for the products "accession number" this something only the manufacturer can supply, thus they are best suited to help you complete the form.  The accession number proves the device has been registered with the Centers for Devices and Radiological Health (part of FDA) and can legally be sold in the United States.  Without this, the other options on the FDA form, render the value of the device as non-transferrable therefore no resale value and must be disposed of when done using.  

Incoterms

If ordering a laser from outside of the United States on the invoice/quote always choose “Delivered Duties Paid (DDP)” under Incoterm. DDP means the manufacturer/shipper incurs ALL fees (transport, export/import duties, taxes) until the item is delivered to the university.  The manufacturer/shipper assumes ALL responsibilities until the item arrives at the final shipping location.