---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 C.F.R. § 1926.54"
title: "29"
number: "1926.54"
heading: "Nonionizing radiation."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/29/1926.54"
---

# §1926.54. Nonionizing radiation.

- (a) Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install, adjust, and operate laser equipment.
- (b) Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be available and in possession of the operator at all times.
- (c) Employees, when working in areas in which a potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in [subpart E](/cfr/29/subpartE.md) of this part.
- (d) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards.
- (e) Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized, or the laser turned off, when laser transmission is not actually required. When the laser is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour, overnight, or at change of shifts, the laser shall be turned off.
- (f) Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.
- (g) The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.
- (h) When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, the operation of laser systems shall be prohibited where practicable; in any event, employees shall be kept out of range of the area of source and target during such weather conditions.
- (i) Laser equipment shall bear a label to indicate maximum output.
- (j) Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above:
  - (1) **Direct staring—** 1 micro-watt per square centimeter;
  - (2) **Incidental observing—** 1 milliwatt per square centimeter;
  - (3) **Diffused reflected light—** 2 1/2 watts per square centimeter.
- (k) **Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.**
- (l) Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 3704; 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, and 657; and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 3-2000 (65 FR 50017), 5-2002 (67 FR 65008), 5-2007 (72 FR 31159), 4-2010 (75 FR 55355), 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), or 8-2020 (85 FR 58393), as applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911. Sections 1926.59, 1926.60, and 1926.65 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553 and 29 CFR part 1911. Section 1926.61 also issued under 49 U.S.C. 1801-1819 and 5 U.S.C. 553. Section 1926.62 also issued under sec. 1031, Public Law 102-550, 106 Stat. 3672 (42 U.S.C. 4853). Section 1926.65 also issued under sec. 126, Public Law 99-499, 100 Stat. 1614 (reprinted at 29 U.S.C.A. 655 Note) and 5 U.S.C. 553.

### Authority

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 3704; 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, and 657; and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 3-2000 (65 FR 50017), 5-2002 (67 FR 65008), 5-2007 (72 FR 31159), 4-2010 (75 FR 55355), 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), or 8-2020 (85 FR 58393), as applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911, unless otherwise noted Sections 1926.58, 1926.59, 1926.60, and 1926.65 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553 and 29 CFR part 1911. Section 1926.61 also issued under 49 U.S.C. 1801-1819 and 5 U.S.C. 553. Section 1926.62 also issued under sec. 1031, Public Law 102-550, 106 Stat. 3672 (42 U.S.C. 4853). Section 1926.65 also issued under sec. 126, Public Law 99-499, 100 Stat. 1614 (reprinted at 29 U.S.C.A. 655 Note) and 5 U.S.C. 553.

### Source

Source: 44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, unless otherwise noted.