HOYA Group Standard

Page No. 2/7

HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

1. Objective
The objective of this standard is to prevent health hazard of workers who work with laser equipment
or who may be at risk of being exposed to laser radiation by entering the area where laser equipment
is installed at HOYA Corporation and HOYA Group Companies (“HOYA Group” hereafter).

2. Scope
This standard apply to the laser operation using Class 3R, Class 3B, and Class 4 laser equipment at
Facilities. For more details on laser classification, see <Annex 1> and <Annex 2>

3. Definition
3.1 Laser equipment
Laser transmitter and equipment where the laser transmitter is integrated.
3.2 Laser operation
Those operations that use laser equipment or that involve being exposed to laser radiation.
3.3 All Classes
“The all Classes” in this standard means the laser classes of Class 3R, Class 3B, and Class 4.
Class 1, Class 1M, Class 2, and Class 2M are not included.
3.4 Access panel
The access panel is a part of the protective housing or enclosure which provides access to laser
radiation when removed or displaced during operation or maintenance.
(Example) A door of a processing machine for putting in or taking out workpieces
A removable cover needed for laser alignment
3.5 Laser equipment with scanning system
With respect to a stationary frame of reference, laser radiation of this equipment has a
time-varying direction, origin or pattern of propagation.
(Example) Laser equipment using a motor to scan laser radiation

4. Structural requirements for laser equipment

Laser equipment used at Facilities shall meet the following structural requirements defined for each
Class. The list of structural requirements defined for each class is shown in Table 1.

4.1 Protective housing (all Classes shall be met)

The protective housing of laser equipment for all Classes shall maintain sufficient mechanical
strength and shall not have a structure that may expose the laser user to a laser radiation.

Protective housing:
The protective housing of laser equipment is a housing that prevents the internal laser radiation
from leaking out (except at its aperture), and that is designed to prevent the laser user from
being exposed to laser radiation in excess of the prescribed AEL*1.
*1 AEL (accessible emission limit): the accessible emission limit determined for each
Class.

HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

HOYA Group Standard
Page No. 3/7
HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

4.2 Safety interlock (Class 3B and Class 4 shall be met)

If the structure of equipment allows the laser user to open the access panel during operation or
maintenance, all Classes of laser equipment shall have a safety interlock at the access panel of
protective housing in order to avoid laser users being exposed to the internal laser radiation.

Safety interlock:
Safety interlock is an automatic device that is set at each part of protective housing to prevent
the laser user from being exposed to the laser radiation when the protective housing or part of it
is removed, opened, or moved.

4.3 Remote interlock connector (Class 3B and Class 4 shall be met)

Each Class 3 and Class 4 laser system shall have a remote interlock connector. When the
terminals of the connector are open-circuited, the accessible radiation shall not exceed the AEL
for Class 1M or Class 2 as applicable.

Remote interlock connector:

Remote interlock connector is a connector which can be connected to the external controls
apart from other components of the laser equipment.

4.4 Key control (Class 3B and Class 4 shall be met)

Class 3B and Class 4 laser equipment shall disable laser radiation when the key is at other than
the “ON” position. Furthermore, the key shall be able to be removed only when it is switched
to the “OFF” position.

Key control:
Key control is a mechanism whereby the laser can be radiated only when the key is at the
“ON” position.

4.5 Laser radiation emission warning light (Class 3R*2, Class 3B and Class 4 shall be met)
Laser equipment of Class 3R*2, Class 3B and Class 4 shall have a laser radiation emission
warning light that visually or auditorily notifies the laser user that the laser radiation will be
emitted or has already been emitted. In the case of the visual method, it shall be clearly visible
through protective eyewear.
*2 Only the laser systems in the wavelength range below 400nm and above 700nm are
included.

4.6 Beam stop (Class 3B and Class 4 shall be met)

The function of laser stop of Class 3B and Class 4 laser equipment shall be designed
independently from the main power switch and the key control of laser equipment.
Furthermore, beam stop shall be capable of preventing the laser user from being exposed to a
laser radiation in excess of the AEL for Class 1M or Class 2M as applicable.

Beam stop:
Beam stop interrupts laser radiation emitted from laser equipment.
HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department
HOYA Group Standard
Page No. 4/7
HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

4.7 Controls (all Classes shall be met)

Laser equipment for all Classes shall have controls located so that adjustment and operation do
not require exposure to laser radiation.

Controls:
Controls mean an appropriate operation and adjustment of laser equipment to produce an
intended condition.

4.8. Scanning safe guard (all Classes having a scanning system shall be met)
Laser equipment for all Classes with a scanning system shall have a function that controls the
equipment so that ALE of respective classes is not exceeded as a result of scan failure.

(Example) A function that stops laser scanning

4.9 Warning label/ explanatory label/ aperture label*3 (all Classes shall be met)
Each laser equipment for all Classes shall carry labels in accordance with the requirements of
the following clauses.

Warning label: a sign indicating the hazardous nature of laser radiation

Explanatory label: a label required depending on the laser class that clearly specifies a
warning message, laser specification, and laser class.

Aperture label: a label indicating the aperture of protective housing from which laser
radiation is emitted.

The label shall be durable, permanently affixed, legible, and clearly visible during operation
and maintenance of equipment according to their purpose.
The label shall be readable from the position where the laser user is not exposed to laser light.
The outline of the characters and symbols shall be black on a yellow background.
*3 For more details on position and description of warning label/explanatory label/ aperture
label, see <Annex 3> and <Annex 4>.

4.10 Access panel label*4 (all Classes shall be met)

Access panel label shall be affixed to laser equipment for all Classes when the inside laser
radiation emitted from the opened access panel exceeds Class 1.
*4 See <Annex 5> for the description of access panel label.

HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

HOYA Group Standard
Page No. 5/7
HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

<Table 1 Structural requirement for each Class>

Item No. Items Class 3R Class 3B Class 4

4.1 Protective housing ○ ○ ○

4.2 Safety interlock − △ △

4.3 Remote interlock connector − ○ ○

4.4 Key control − ○ ○

Laser radiation emission warning
4.5 ○ ○ ○
light
4.6 Beam stop − ○ ○

4.7 Controls ○ ○ ○

4.8 Scanning safe guard △ △ △

Warning/explanatory/aperture
4.9 ○ ○ ○
labels
4.10 Access panel label △ △ △

○：mandatory requirements
△：conditional requirements
―：not-required

5. Exemption from application of structural requirements for laser equipment

In principle, all classes of laser equipment operated at Facilities are under the application of “4.
Structural requirements for laser equipment,” however, when it is difficult for those laser devices
which are used in the laboratory or used for experiments to meet the structural requirements, the
department using such laser equipment shall submit the Form-L1 “Exemption from application of
structural requirements for laser equipment” to the head of the Facilities, and only when approved, the
application of requirements shall be exempted. However, definite reason or grounds for exemption
shall be required.

HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

HOYA Group Standard
Page No. 6/7
HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

6. Requirements for laser operation

Facilities shall meet the following conditions for laser operation and its management:

6.1 Occupational safety management system

A Laser Safety Officer should be appointed in Facilities in which Class 3R, Class 3B, and
Class 4 laser equipment are in use. The Laser Safety Officer should have sufficient skill in,
knowledge and experience of matters relevant to the prevention of hazards due to laser
radiation. When laser is used over a wide area and the person in charge of laser safety control
is unable to pay sufficient attention to each area, Facilities may appoint a person in charge of
laser equipment management in order to control laser operation by individual laser equipment
or by management by a group.
One of the following conditions shall be met as requirements for appointment as a person in
charge of laser safety control:
1) Those persons who passed have examinations by an external organization that covers basic
knowledge of laser equipment, its handling, and safety control.
2) Those persons who took lecture on safety control of laser provided by an external organization.
3) Those persons who have taken lectures on safety control of laser held by the HOYA Group
Director for Environmental Protection, Occupational Safety and Health.
4) Those persons who are recognized by the HOYA Group Director for Environmental Protection,
Occupational Safety and Health as being equivalent to 1) – 3).

6.2 Role of the person in charge of laser safety control

The person in charge of laser safety control shall take responsibility and address day-to-day
laser operations in terms of the articles below. Hazardous nature of the laser operation shall be
clarified, protective measures needed shall be taken, and important points shall be documented.

1) Laser equipment management

A list including the following descriptions shall be made and maintained for all laser
equipment in Facilities:
a) Name of equipment (model)
b) Intended use
c) Place of use
d) Laser Class
e) Laser specification (the kinds of laser, wavelength, maximum power)
f) Other description needed at Facilities

2) Inspection and maintenance of laser equipment

Laser equipment shall be inspected (daily check, periodical check).

3) Making of procedure manual for laser operation and its supervision

The person in charge of laser safety control shall make a procedure manual for laser operation
and make its content known to laser users. The procedure manual shall be reviewed
periodically and revised immediately if any inappropriate description is found.
HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department
HOYA Group Standard
Page No. 7/7
HOYA Group Management Criteria for Laser
Edition 1
HOSH2-003 Issued on April 13, 2009 Revision No. 0

4) Safety instruction and training for workers who work with laser operation
Safety instruction and training shall be given prior to operation of laser equipment, and the
record of instruction shall be made and kept.

Furthermore, safety education and training shall be periodically repeated and also provided for
workers who may enter the workplace of laser operation.
Safety instruction and training shall include the following content:

a) the HOYA Group’s policy for safe use of laser equipment,

b) the risks of harm that could arise from the use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of the
laser equipment,

c) the meaning of displayed warning signs,

d) the correct use and operation of the laser equipment, and of associated equipment,
including personal protective equipment,

e) full knowledge and understanding of working procedures

f) the event of an actual or suspected accident, or other safety-related incident

g) the procedure to be followed in the event of an actual accident

6.3. Health management and measures when exposed to laser radiation

Facilities shall make those workers who engage in open-type laser operation undergo the anterior
chamber (cornea and lens) examination in addition to an eyesight test before and after employment
and reassignment. The examination shall be conducted in consultation with HOYA Group industrial
physician.
When any damage to the worker is suspected to have been caused by laser radiation, Facilities shall
make the laser user undergo a medical examination or treatment by a physician.

7. Establishment and revision

The supervisor for the establishment and revision of the standard shall be the HOYA Group Director
for Environmental Protection, Occupational Safety and Health.

HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

<Annex 1> Classification
Classification Classification standard
Class 1 Output levels (> 0.39μW*5) that are safe under reasonably foreseeable conditions of
operation
Class 2 Visible light (wavelength of 400nm – 700nm) and its power is less than the level that
aversion responses of the human body can avoid damage (less than about 1mW)
Class 1M Intrabeam viewing by optical method is hazardous and output level is less than five
Class 2M times of that of Class 2 (less than about 5mW.)
Class 3R
Class 3B Being exposed to this laser class directly or by specular reflection may cause ocular
damage, however being exposed to diffuse reflected laser is not potentially hazardous to
the eyes (less than about 0.5W.)
Class 4 Power output of this class potentially causes ocular damage even when being exposed to
diffuse reflected laser light (more than about 0.5W).
* 5 1W = 103mW = 106μW

<Annex 2> Classification

Classification Description
Class 1 This class is safe under reasonably foreseeable conditions of operation, including the use
of optical instruments for intrabeam viewing.
Class 1M Lasers emitting in the wavelength range from 302.5 to 4,000 nm which are safe under
reasonably foreseeable conditions of operation, but may be hazardous if the user employs
optics within the beam. The hazardous cases are as follows:
a) The case where the user places optical instruments within 100mm from the light
source in order to condense divergent beam slender (or to collimate beam.)
b) The case where a collimated beam is used whose diameter is larger than that of the
limiting aperture for the measurement of irradiance or radial exposure.
Class 2 Lasers that emit visible radiation in the wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm where eye
protection is normally afforded by aversion responses, including the blink reflex. This
reaction may be expected to provide adequate protection under reasonably foreseeable
conditions of operation including the use of optical instruments for intrabeam viewing.
Class 2M Lasers that emit visible radiation in the wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm where eye
protection is normally afforded by aversion responses including the blink reflex.
However, viewing of the output may be more hazardous if the user employs optics
within the beam. The hazardous cases are as follows:
a) The case where the laser user places optical instruments within 100mm from the light
source in order to condense divergent beam slender (or to collimate beam.)
b) The case where uses a collimated beam is used whose diameter is larger than that of
the limiting aperture for the measurement of irradiance or radial exposure.
Class 3R Lasers that emit in the wavelength rage from 302.5 to 106 nm where direct intrabeam
viewing is potentially hazardous but the risk is lower than for Class 3B lasers. The
accessible emission limit is within 5 times of Class 2 AEL for the range of 400nm –
700nm, and within 5 times of Class 1 AEL for other wavelengths.
Class 3B Lasers that are normally hazardous when direct intrabeam exposure occurs within
NOHD(nominal ocular hazard distance). Viewing diffuse reflections is normally safe.
Class 4 Lasers that are also capable of producing hazardous diffuse reflections. They may cause
skin injuries and could also constitute a fire hazard. Their use requires extreme caution.

20090413 HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

<Annex 3>
* Each Class 3R product shall display a warning label and an explanatory label bearing the following words:

LASER RADIATION
AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE
CLASS 3R LASER PRODUCT

* Each Class 3B product shall display a warning label and an explanatory label bearing the following words:

LASER RADIATION
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM
CLASS 3B LASER PRODUCT

* Each Class 4 product shall display a warning label and an explanatory label bearing the following words:

LASER RADIATION
AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION
CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT

* Aperture Label shall be attached close to every aperture of Class 3R, Class 3B and Class 4 laser products
emitting laser light exceeding ALE for Class 1 and Class 2. The label shall bear the following words:

LASER APERTURE
or
LASER LIGHT APERTURE
or
AVOID EXPOSURE - LASER RADIATION IS EMITTED FROM THIS APERTURE

20090413 HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department

<Annex 4>

Explanation label

Aperture label
Warning label

<Annex 5>
When laser users may be exposed to laser radiation exceeding Class 1 AEL by removing or dislocating each panel
and access panel of the protective housing, the label indicating the following description shall be attached to those
panels.

Emission not-exceeding Class 3R AEL

CAUTION-CLASS 3R LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN

AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE

Emission not-exceeding Class 3B AEL

CAUTION-CLASS 3B LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN

AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM

Emission not-exceeding Class 4 AEL

CAUTION-CLASS 4 LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN

AVOID DIRECT EYE AND SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT RADIATION OR DIFFUSED
RADIATION

*<ANNEX 3-5> are based on IEC60825-1 (2007). When IEC standard is revised, they follow the revised
standard.

20090413 HOYA Group EP＆OSH Department