generally be more impressive to your audience. Think about
it this way, multiple lasers can provide multiple beam ‘sourc-
es’ rather than just the 2-6 V shaped beam patterns from 2-6
lasers. Buyer beware - buying off on ‘high power’ lasers may
not get you the ‘best deal’ for your money!
alignment!
Think about it - setup is when everyone is busy racing against
the clock, each person is dedicated to their assigned tasks. It
is easy to know where the general public is during the perfor-
mance – it is not so easy to know where staff is during setup.
Fun Fact: Not all reflections are the ‘enemy’
of the laser operator! Theatrical smoke/fog
produce ‘diffuse’ reflections that give that
swirling cloud of color over your audience
that add a dreamy effect to your produc-
tion.
A word of caution – be sure to consult with
your laser operator about the possibility
of setting off fire alarms. Consult with your
building maintenance to see how sensitive
the fire/smoke alarms can be. If outdoors
using theatrical smoke can be challenging
if it is windy but so worth it!
Speaking of reflective surfaces – are you
planning on using confetti? If so inform
your laser company, especially if it is going
to be Mylar material. The operator will need
to work with you to avoid lasing the con-
fetti. Also we highly recommend that there
be no Mylar balloon vendors at your event
or allowed inside the laser arena/area as these are sources of
specular reflection.
You need to think about where lasers will be located. If on a
stage, how high is the stage off the floor, how high is the ceil-
ing of your venue. Lasers must be at least 3 meters above the
heads of your audience. Think about raked audience such as
in arenas and balconies. If you have balconies the laser com-
pany may consider terminating the balcony façade as long as
some security measures are taken to ensure audience cannot
access beam path. If lasers are mounted in audience area no
person can be closer than 2.5 meters to laser units.
What about performers/artists and crew? These rules do not
apply to performers or crew. That said, know that Class 3B and
Class 4 lasers are never allowed to actually touch a person. All
persons who could access a laser beam must be informed of
the hazards and warned to avoid lasers at all times.
A safe laser company will know that lasers must never be
mounted at eye level. However, lasers could be mounted on
a stage that is say 6 feet above ground level at 4 feet above
stage level (thus meet the 3-meter rule for general public) and
be well below eye level for performers/crew members. What
about instruments – especially those shiny drum kits that are
loaded in front of the lasers? Don’t worry – a good laser show
company will have cinefoil (black anodized aluminum) on
hand to block any area at the aperture thus prevent unwanted
lasing of drum kits or any other shiny object in the beam path.
Fun Fact: Do you know when the greatest risk for injury is? Did
you guess during show time? Wrong – it is during setup and
12
Even an experienced operator may not see an usher who for-
got that he is not suppose to enter the balcony area during
alignment, or not realize a drum kit was moved after he has
setup and completed zoning. One off events are at more risk
that repeated performances at the same venue. New venues
offer new challenges – try going from a basic stadium to an
old crystal ballroom theater with lots of shiny surfaces.
There are a variety of ways that a laser show company will mit-
igate risks.
Fun Fact: Did you know that human behavior is the last resort
when it comes to safety? Engineered control measures are al-
ways the most preferred method of mitigating risk.
Safety, for laser entertainment applications, depend on the
operator/technicians more than most any other laser ap-
plication to implement a quality laser safety program. Laser
operators working in entertainment should have laser safety
training, be technically competent and professional human
beings. These professionals are the ones who must be able to
react quickly and effectively if anything happens.
Don’t hesitate to ask your chosen laser company about what
sort of training a laser company has provided to their employ-
ees. Ask them to provide some sort of documented proof of
laser safety training; such as a Laser Safety Officer Certificate
of training. While an operator may or may not have an LSO
certificate they are required to have laser safety training. If no
documentation is available ask them if they are familiar with
these topics:
• What are the bio hazards related to laser light?