High Brightness LEDs (and other incoherent Photonic sources) are becoming a substitute for lasers because of lower regulatory restrictions for many applications. This is most true in applications where coherency is not a specific operational requirement. Some LEDs that have higher drive currents put out thousands, if not tens of thousands of lumens. Some use super-radiance or super-luminescent architecture and are able to illuminate large areas efficiently with small light fixtures, These LEDs are not wholly incoherent since they have a relatively narrow band of wavelengths, typically in the tens of nanometers instead of less than 10 nanometers associated with most lasers. The hazards of measured irradiances more than 10 mW/cm^2 include temporary flash blindness, chronic fatigue, and the possibility of sunburn damage when operating in the UV range.
This paper presents real-world applications that LSOs and other photonics safety professionals need to consider when working with high-output Photonics-based devices and systems, establishing the proper engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment, and bringing awareness to the increasing level of integration and use.