Entertainment Event Laser Safety Considerations by Roberta L McHatton , LSO ,
Owner / Consultant , Laser Safety Services LLC
Introduction
Congratulations on deciding to add lasers to your next event !!! Laser effects will bring excitement , pizzazz , and class to your special event in a multitude of ways . Laser light can be defined as ‘ beam ’ work with choreographed sweeping , dancing laser beam sequences that reach out and embrace your audience in a way that no other lighting effects can do and / or laser light can bring neon-like bright light to your client ’ s logos and / or graphics that will make an audience gasp with delight . When used properly lasers add the kind of magic to events / productions that viewers will long remember . Fun Fact : Did you know the word laser is an acronym ? Light Amplified by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation = LA- SER
Safety Concerns
What is the big deal about using lasers for entertainment purposes anyway ?
Fun Fact : Did you know that when using lasers for entertainment / display in the USA that a laser show company is required to apply for a ‘ variance ’ from the Food and Drug Administration ? Here is the FDA website about Laser Light Shows : https :// www . fda . gov / Radiation-EmittingProducts / RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures / HomeBusinessandEntertainment / ucm118907 . htm
A Bit of History
It was Albert Einstein who first imagined the concept of the electromagnetic spectrum which include light waves and coined the word ‘ laser ’. But it was not until on May 16 , 1960 when the first laser was invented by Theodore H . Maiman , a physicist at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu , Calif ., who constructed the first laser using a cylinder of synthetic ruby 1 cm in diameter and 2 cm long . That laser emitted a lovely red-light beam . The laser was an invention that needed an application .
What do you think the first application of lasers were ? Was it used for medical purposes , industrial , military or …… for artistic purposes ? As it happened that beautiful laser light had immediate appeal to artists worldwide . While the scientific community floundered for ‘ practical ’ uses of laser light the artistic community embraced this new , exciting very unusual medium with enthusiasm . The public was introduced to lasers via art , sculpture and holography exhibitions long before we humans used lasers on Mars to analyze that planet for potential life forms or for communication purposes or for medical purposes .
Fun Fact : Why is it ironic that one of the most common medical uses for lasers is known as LASIK eye surgery ? Because the greatest safety concern when using lasers is the biological hazard laser light presents to the eye .
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More on this later .
Because of laser light physical properties – it is monochromatic , coherent and directional – laser light can deliver a great deal of energy in a very small area . In order for us to ‘ see ’ laser light for entertainment purposes we are often using Class 3B and Class 4 lasers . Lasers are classified to indicate the degree of risk ; the ability of the beam to cause damage to the eye or skin . Class 4 lasers are high powered lasers (> 500mW ) which are hazardous to the eye when viewed directly or diffusely . In addition to potential to biological hazards ( eye and skin ) Class 4 lasers present a potential fire hazard The problem is that entertainment laser effects are so beautiful that we often forget there are hazards associated with them .
Fun Fact : Do not look into the laser beam with your remaining eye !!! Check out this video : Dumb Ways to Blind Yourself on