Laser Safety

Lasers pose serious risks to eyes, skin, and property. You are responsible for understanding these risks and operating safely, regardless of your application.

Hazards

Lasers can cause the following harm. This list is not exhaustive:

  • Eye Injury: Direct or reflected beams can cause temporary or permanent vision damage.
  • Burns: High-powered lasers can burn skin on contact.
  • Fire Hazard: Flammable materials can ignite under laser exposure.
  • Aviation Risk: Beams directed into airspace endanger pilots and aircraft occupants.
  • Camera Sensor Damage: Direct exposure can damage digital camera sensors.

Safety Precautions

Projecting

  • Inspect the Area: Assess the full projection space for hazards before every show.
  • Avoid Direct Exposure: Keep intentional beams above audience eye level and out of reach; define safe projection zones.
  • Physical Barriers: Use physical barriers if needed to maintain safe separation.
  • Reflective Surfaces: Watch for mirrors, glass, polished metal, and phone screens that can unintentionally reflect beams.
  • Projection Mapping: Use mapping to keep beams within safe, intended areas.
  • Beam Blocking: Use non-reflective beam blocks or beam stops to terminate beams where needed.
  • Avoid Airspace: Never project outdoors or into open airspace without authorization from aviation and local authorities.

Operating

  • Emergency Measures: Keep a physical emergency stop within reach and test it at low power before the show. Stop output immediately if unsafe conditions occur and correct the cause. Report incidents or injuries to the relevant authorities.
  • Operate Supervised: A trained adult must supervise all use of lasers. Never leave operating lasers unattended.

Hardware

  • Galvo Care: If your galvos emit unusual sounds or a high-pitched noise, it may indicate strain. Reduce load or service the unit.
  • Routine Maintenance: Inspect for overheating, dust buildup, and other faults.
  • Interlocks and scan-fail: Use and test projector interlocks and scan-fail protection before operation.
  • Key Switch and Shutter: Keep the key and the mechanical shutter under operator control.
  • Beam Termination: Use physical non-reflective stops to terminate beams safely.
  • Cabling and Cooling: Check fans, temperature, and cabling for signs of strain or failure.

Audience Safety

  • Beam Placement: Keep all intentional beams above audience eye level with sufficient clearance.
  • Separation: Maintain safe separation distances between projector, beam paths, and people; add barriers if needed.
  • Audience Scanning: Do not perform audience scanning or aim beams at people. Modulaser prohibits audience scanning, even where local law may permit it.

Compliance and Training

  • Standards: Follow recognized standards where applicable, including IEC 60825-1 and ILDA laser show safety guidance.
  • Laws and Permits: Comply with local laws, venue rules, and permitting requirements, especially for public shows and any audience scanning.
  • Training: This guide is not a substitute for formal training. Ensure operators are competent and briefed.

Modulaser is creative software, not a safety device. It does not monitor, limit, or enforce safe laser output. You are fully responsible for safe configuration, operation, and legal compliance. Modulaser's liability and legal safety obligations are described in our Terms of Service.