The laser guard standard IEC 60825-4 Available to Purchase

This paper explores the international laser safety standard for laser guards. This standard is essential for those involved with the design of laser processing machines as it describes the design and performance requirements necessary for both passive and active guards together with the verification needed to ensure the safe enclosure of laser processing zones. The design and performance for proprietary guards is also outlined together with the testing requirements and information that should be given to potential users to allow users to select appropriate protective qualities. The standard contains several Annexes which give additional guidance on the selection and design of laser guards. Essential to the selection of a suitable guard, an understanding of foreseeable exposure limits and thus the requirement for the protective exposure limits is examined using examples to reinforce the concepts. Details of the testing regimes to be used are explained. The application of laser guards within laser processing machine design is never that easy, and the arrangement and installation is discussed. This includes the use of complete and incomplete enclosures, the hierarchy of control measures that should be adopted, the use of personal protective equipment and how risk assessment can be used to achieve the optimum design specification for the protective measures to be implemented.