Laser hazards have traditionally been assessed on a “worst case” analysis of the possibility of injury. Laser classification is intended as a guide to hazard potential, but is often used by regulating bodies as an absolute indicator of acceptability in a given environment.
This paper reports a study of a civilian “Star Wars” style of adventure game, using “hit ratio” data generated by the players to assess the statistical probability of retinal injury. It is concluded that the traditional methods of assessment overstate the actual hazard by a very large margin.
By contrast, the “single faulf” criterion for assessment of classification can be dangerously inadequate when applied to complex, high power systems.
It is concluded that the concept of “reasonably foreseeable event” should be introduced to safety standards.