Protective Equipment
Laser Protective Eyewear
Selection Criteria
The basic requirements for protective eyewear as proposed in the ANSI Z-136.1
standard can be summarized as follows:
- Protective eyewear shall be worn whenever operational conditions may result
in potential eye hazard.
- The attenuation (optical density) of the laser protective eyewear at each
laser wavelength shall be specified by the LSO.
- All laser protective eyewear shall be clearly labeled with the optical density
value and wavelength for which protection is afforded.
- Protective eyewear should be comfortable, have adequate visibility (luminous
transmission) and prevent hazardous peripheral radiation.
- Periodic inspection shall be made of protective eye wear to insure the maintenance
of satisfactory filtration ability. This shall include inspection of the filter
material for pitting, crazing, cracking, etc., and inspection of the goggle frame
for mechanical integrity and light leaks.
The laser parameters of wavelength and exposure time are the most important
in determining the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels for a specific laser.
The ANSI Z-136.1 standard provides charts and tables that allow determination
of such levels.
