U-Boat Magazine

[AlvinBowman]

What are the Allowable Laser Classes for Laser Level Measurements?

Whether you are looking for a red or green laser level, some classes of lasers are acceptable in laser level insurance, especially for consumer uses. The other categories of laser levels are strictly prohibited from everyday use because of their hazardous composition.

You must understand the classes of laser levels allowed for everyday human use so that you don’t expose yourself to specific hazards that can injure you. The class 1 and class 2 laser levels are mostly allowed for human uses, and in some situations, the class 3 and 3Rs may be allowed.

The Class 1 and Class 2 Laser Levels



The class 1 and 2 laser levels are the safest categories of laser levels allowed for human activities. Despite being recommended for human activities, you still have to protect yourself with laser glasses, gloves, and other gears, when using such laser levels. Categories 1 and 2 have lower output power, wavelength, and intensity; hence they are commended for protecting users at home or work sites.

It can be pretty hard to mark some targeted surfaces when using these laser levels on very bright sunny days because they belong to a lower intensity category. It is the duty of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to regulate the use of laser levels in the construction and non-construction industries. The OSHA is an arm of the Department of Labor.

While making recommendations on the green line laser level and other recommended laser levels, the OSHA made it compulsory to include proper laser level labeling. In addition to proper labeling, the OSHA also directed that no laser level of any category must be beamed directly at an employee or any other human while the device is in use.

The exposure limit for class 1 and 2 laser levels is 1 MW/sq.cm. This is the maximum irradiance for any incidental observation of these laser levels. Though this irradiance level recommended will limit the potential of any laser level being used, it will help preserve laser level safety usage for workers and individuals.

Other Classes of Laser Levels



Other types of laser level classes are; Class 2, Class 3B, Class 3R, and Class 4. These are laser levels that operate at higher intensities and wavelengths compared to the classes 1 and 2 laser levels.

Though the class 2 lasers are still considered safe for regular use, and they emit visible light under 1 milliwatt, they still have some restricted applications for human use.

Class 3B and 3R laser levels are only considered safe when handled by a certified user. They pose some hazardous risks when humans are exposed, especially those not certified to use or handle them. The 3R laser level, for instance, has an output of between 1 and 3.88 milliwatts.

Class 4 lasers are not recommended for everyday use because they pose serious risks to the human eye. They can generate an output of up to 500 milliwatts. To learn more about the power output of top rated green laser levels, please read the product guides and reviews on the Laser Level Hub website.