Abstract
Recent developments in laser technology have produced greater energy and power outputs in an ever-increasing variety of lasers of differing wavelengths. A variety of hazards exist to individuals working at or in the vicinity of laser operations. A program of hazard evaluation and control has been conducted by the authors in a variety of laser installations. The principal hazards of laser radiation to the eye due to both direct and reflected viewing are discussed. Criteria are given for determining the hazards of a given laser by evaluating the effects of the laser output characteristics (power or energy output, wavelength, emergent beam diameter and divergence) and the effects of various environmental factors (output or laboratory setting, ambient lighting, etc.). Methods of measuring or calculating the light intensity at a given point and guidelines for control of hazards are given.