Lasers

Use Of Laser Devices

Unless otherwise specified in the event rules, the following will apply:

Laser levels, pointers and other laser devices are intended to be operated under the control of a human operator at all times. They are not meant to be attached to a somewhat independent mechanical device such as a robot operated in a room filled with contestants, judges and spectators who are preoccupied with other activities. The use of some types of laser devices is permitted provided proper safety precautions as outlined below are taken.

All lasers are required to have a safety label stating the class they fall under. Lasers missing the required label will not be permitted. Due to the difficulty of verifying power output, only commercially assembled laser devices may be used.

(actual label may vary)

Class 1, 2 & some Class 3a lasers are labeled with a "Caution" and the possibility for injury is minimal. They can be allowed without question provided contestants avoid indiscriminate exposure to other contestants, judges or spectators.  Careless/indiscriminate use may be grounds for disqualification.
 


(actual label may vary)

Some Class 3a & all Class 3b lasers are labeled with a "Warning" and there is a definite, though small, possibility for eye injury. These are allowed if they are mounted in a fixed position on a stationary device.

They may not be used on mobile devices such as robots and vehicles.  Contestants must take fail-safe precautions to eliminate the possibility of accidental exposure to the eyes of judges, spectators, contestants and other people in the room. Shielding must be provided to insure the laser beam cannot exit the boundaries of the device. Accidental eye exposure is proof that proper precautions have not been taken and the team must be disqualified if it occurs.

All other classes of lasers are prohibited!

Lasers must be operated using batteries and voltage as specified by the device's manufacturer. Modification of the laser's electronic control circuitry, other than switches used to turn the device on/off, is not allowed. Optical components, other than those installed by the manufacturer, used to collimate/concentrate the laser's beam may not be used.

The tournament officials and/or event supervisors at each tournament must inspect the device and its proposed usage to determine if it is safe. Their decision is final.

Other light sources, such as a high brightness LED mounted in a small tube to direct/limit the beam, can often be used in lieu of a laser to accomplish the task and thus eliminate any safety concerns.

References concerning laser safety:

Laser Institute of America - Laser Pointer Safety:

http://www.laserinstitute.org/publications/safety_bulletin/laser_pointer/

From: Health Physics Society - Laser Pointer Safety:

http://hps.org/hpspublications/articles/laser.html
 

Quote:
"Visible laser pointers operating with 1-5 mW power are Class 3a and can be hazardous if viewed even for a very short time. Users should never look directly into the beam of Class 3a laser pointers, which are required by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations to be marked "DANGER." (Class 2 lasers are labeled "CAUTION.") Possible hazards include startle effects, flash-blindness, glare, and after-images if a person is struck directly in the eye. Numerous cases of such incidents have been reported, along with cases where individuals overreacted to being flashed. Reports of those exposed include a pilot, bus drivers, sports figures, a teacher, and police."


From: World Health Organization - Health Risks From The Use of Laser Pointers:

http://www.who.int/uv/resources/fact/en/fs202laserpointers.pdf

Quote:
It appears that the output power of laser pointers currently available is generally less than 5 mW. The body's natural aversion responses are unlikely to provide adequate protection from eye injury for Class 3B laser pointers and Class 3A laser pointers used with optical aids. Although the risk of permanent eye injury from a laser pointer may be small, a person receiving even a transient eye exposure will experience a bright flash, a dazzling effect, which is likely to cause distraction and temporary loss of vision in the affected eye and possibly after-images. The time taken to recover from these effects will vary for different people and will also be dependent on the ambient light level at the time of exposure. Medical attention should only be sought if after-images persist for hours, or if a disturbance in reading vision is apparent.