Regulation 34

Every entertainment laser shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that, under the conditions of use specified by the manufacturer, it functions in accordance with this regulation so long as its original components or replacement components recommended by the manufacturer are in use.

Every entertainment laser shall be designed in such a way that —

Every entertainment laser shall be designed and constructed to include the following safety features:

Every entertainment laser shall be designed and constructed in such a way that failure or malfunction of any component of the entertainment laser does not result in leakage of laser radiation in excess of the limits specified in this regulation.

Every entertainment laser shall have the laser labelling and warning signs described in regulation 35(1)(d), (e) and (f) permanently affixed to appropriate surfaces inside the laser so as to be clearly visible under conditions of removal or displacement of each removable or displaceable portion of the protective enclosure.

Every entertainment laser shall be equipped with —

The laser system, including projector, shall be rigidly mounted to prevent unintended movement or accidental misalignment.

Laser radiation outside the spectral range 400 nm to 700 nm shall be as low as practicable but shall not, in any case, exceed the AEL for Class 1 under any possible conditions of operation.

Scanning devices shall incorporate an automatic means to turn off the beam or to prevent laser emission in case the beam stops scanning or slows down significantly. In cases where a mirror ball is used with a scanning beam, the limits of paragraph (13) shall be met with the mirror ball stationary; or the mirror ball shall incorporate an automatic means to turn off the beam or to prevent laser emission if the mirror ball stops rotating or slows down significantly such that the limits of paragraph (13) or (14) are exceeded. Any such scan failure safeguard system shall have a reaction time fast enough to preclude audience access to levels in excess of the AEL for Class 1.

Except as stated in paragraph (11), laser light shows shall be under the direct and personal supervision of a licensee and the laser beam to which human access can be gained shall not exceed the AEL for Class 2 at any points less than —

In cases where the maximum laser output power level is less than 5 mW including all wavelengths and the laser beam path is located at least 6 m above any surface upon which a person in the audience or general public is permitted to stand and at any point less than 2.5 m in lateral separation from any position where a person in the audience or general public is permitted during the performance or display, then a laser operator need not be continuously present if the other provisions of these Regulations are complied with. In other cases, upon application to the Director‑General, appropriate arrangements may be made for unattended operation.

All laser light shows shall be provided with a key operated “ON-OFF” switch. In the case of the exception under paragraph (11), there shall be a designated individual present who can turn off and secure the laser in case of unsafe operating conditions.

Levels of laser and collateral radiation, measured where the audience is normally located, and laser and collateral radiation measured where the operators, performers and employees are located if the radiation is intended to be viewed by them, shall not exceed the AEL for Class 1 during operation. Radiation which shall be measured includes reflections from targets and scattering materials.

Operators, performers and employees shall be able to perform their functions without the need for exposure to laser and collateral radiation in excess of the AEL for Class 2 when the radiation is not intended to be viewed by them. Areas where levels of laser radiation in excess of the AEL for Class 2 exist shall be clearly identified by posting a sign or by the use of barriers or guards or both to prevent entry of operators or performers into these areas.

Every laser operator shall be situated in a position such that the performers, the audience, beam path and laser display can be viewed by the laser operator at all times during the laser operation.

Where the laser output is limited to less than the maximum power available in order to comply with paragraphs (8) to (14), the laser output power shall be measured, adjusted and recorded before it is operated at each laser light show.

All safety devices necessary to comply with paragraph (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13) or (14), such as scanning-beam power interlock, shall be functionally tested and recorded before each laser light show.

Every laser system shall be secured against unauthorised operation.

The following precautions shall be taken during alignment procedures:

Before a laser light show is permitted to operate either at a permanent or temporary job site, the licensee shall provide the Director‑General with sufficient information, data and measurements to establish that all the relevant requirements of these Regulations shall be complied with during use. This shall include sketches showing the locations of audience or general public, laser, mirror balls and other reflective or diffuse surfaces which may be struck by laser beam, scanning beam patterns, scanning velocity and frequency in occupied areas where beam strikes wall or other structure, and radiometric measurement data including output power and location of all measurements.

In the case of open air shows where a laser beam is projected into the sky, the information submitted shall also include beam spot size, beam divergence and beam power measured at the projector.

Every entertainment laser, when fully assembled and operating with its service controls and user controls adjusted to yield the maximum emission, shall function in such a manner that the intensity of laser radiation at all accessible locations, when measured within a stationary circular area of 0.385 cm2 and averaged over that area, does not exceed the AEL for Class 1.