Do I Need a Laser Safety Officer?

Organizations that use lasers often ask a straightforward question: Do we need a Laser Safety Officer (LSO)? The answer depends less on job titles or organizational size and more on how lasers are used, the level of hazard involved, and whether laser exposure is reasonably possible.

The primary consensus standard for laser safety for end-users around the world, Z136.1—Safe Use of Lasers, provides the framework for answering this question by establishing when formal laser safety oversight is expected and how that oversight should be structured.

The Short Answer

You are likely to need a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) if your organization uses Class 3B or Class 4 lasers, operates lasers with open or accessible beam paths, or conducts activities where laser hazards cannot be fully eliminated through enclosure or engineering design.

In lower-risk environments, laser safety responsibilities may be limited and managed through basic controls. However, as laser power, accessibility, or operational complexity increases, the Z136.1 standard anticipates the designation of a Laser Safety Officer to provide appropriate supervision and control (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers; Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

How the Z136.1 Standard Approaches the Question

The Z136.1 standard does not require every organization that owns a laser to appoint an LSO. Instead, the standard takes a risk-based approach, linking the need for an LSO to hazard classification and operating conditions.

Key principles include:

Laser hazards must be evaluated and classified before determining controls
Administrative oversight is required when hazards exceed minimal risk
Responsibility for laser safety must be clearly assigned and supported

These principles are established in the standard’s discussion of hazard evaluation and administrative control measures (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Evaluation and Classification; Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4, Control Measures).

Situations Where an LSO Is Typically Expected

Under the Z136.1 standard, the involvement of a Laser Safety Officer is commonly expected when one or more of the following conditions apply:

Use of Class 3B or Class 4 Lasers

Class 3B and Class 4 lasers are capable of causing eye or skin injury from direct or scattered radiation. The standard places particular emphasis on formal oversight for these classes (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Classification of Lasers).

Open or Unenclosed Laser Systems

When laser systems are not fully enclosed and cannot be classified as Class 1 by enclosure, personnel may be exposed during normal operation, alignment, servicing, or maintenance. In these cases, administrative controls and LSO oversight become essential (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers; Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3, Administrative Control Measures).

Research and Development Environments

Laboratories often involve changing configurations, experimental setups, and non-routine procedures. ANSI Z136.1 recognizes that these conditions increase reliance on procedural controls and informed oversight (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers; Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4, Control Measures).

Medical and Healthcare Applications

Medical laser use introduces unique considerations, including patient exposure, clinical workflows, and shared responsibility among clinical staff. ANSI Z136.1 anticipates formal laser safety oversight in these settings (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4, Control Measures; see also Z136.3 for healthcare-specific guidance).

Industrial Operations Involving Alignment or Maintenance

Even when industrial laser systems are normally enclosed, activities such as alignment, troubleshooting, or servicing may expose workers to hazardous beams. These tasks often trigger the need for an LSO (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4.4.3.9, Service Personnel (All Classes)).

Situations Where an LSO May Not Be Necessary

In some environments, laser hazards are minimal and well controlled. Examples may include:

Fully enclosed Class 1 laser products operated as designed
Low-power lasers used in applications where exposure cannot exceed safe limits
Consumer or office equipment with no accessible hazardous radiation

In such cases, laser safety responsibilities may be limited to equipment maintenance and general workplace safety practices. However, organizations should reassess this determination if equipment, procedures, or use conditions change (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3.3, Laser and Laser System Hazard Classification Definitions).

The Importance of Clear Responsibility

Even when an organization determines that a full Laser Safety Officer designation is not required, ANSI Z136.1 emphasizes that laser safety responsibilities must still be clearly assigned. Management retains responsibility for ensuring that hazards are evaluated and controlled appropriately (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3, Laser Safety Programs; Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Appendix A1, Laser Safety Officer (LSO)).

As laser use expands or evolves, many organizations find that formally designating an LSO provides clarity, consistency, and a defensible approach to safety oversight.

When in Doubt

If there is uncertainty about whether a Laser Safety Officer is needed, the Z136.1 standard’s structure offers a practical rule of thumb: greater hazard and greater exposure potential require greater oversight.

Consulting an experienced laser safety professional or designating an LSO, even on a limited or part-time basis, can help organizations evaluate risks before incidents occur.