Non-Ionizing Radiation including Lasers

Safe Use of Lasers

Laser light is a form of non-ionizing radiation. Laser equipment produces and amplifies light that has unique properties. There are two types of laser hazards: the laser beam hazards and the non-beam hazards. Laser beam hazards include eye and skin burns which are due to laser beam shining on a person's body. Non-beam hazards are associated with the laser equipment, or the hazardous substances released from the laser equipment, and fumes emitted from materials exposed to laser beams, including laser-plumes produced during surgical procedures.

Laser radiation

In workplaces, other than medical industries, where lasers are used, employers are required to make sure that the lasers are operated and used according to the following standards (or standards that offer equivalent or better protection):

• American National Standard Institute’s (ANSI) standard ANSI Z136.1-2007, “Safe Use of Lasers”
• ANSI Z136.4-2005, “Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation”
• ANSI Z136.5- 2020, “Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions”
• ANSI Z136.6-2005, “Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors”, and
• ANSI Z136.7-2008, “American National Standard for Testing and Labelling of Laser Protective Equipment”

In medical industries, an employer must make sure that laser equipment is operated and used according to the following standards (or other standards offering equivalent or better protection):

• CAN/CSA - C22.2 No. 60601-2-22-01 (R2005) Medical Electrical Equipment - Part 2: Particular Requirements for the Safety of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Laser Equipment (Adopted CEI/IEC 601-2-22:1995, second edition, 1995-11), and
• CSA - Z386:20, “Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care”

Infra-red Radiation

When workplaces have sources of infra-red radiation employers are required to:

• Make sure there is shielding as close to the source as possible by using heat absorbing screens, water screens, or other suitable devices
• Provide employees with and enforce the use of properly fitting goggles, face shields or other adequate eye protection when they are required to enter areas where they could be exposed to infra-red radiation, which can cause eye injuries and irritation.

Employees are also responsible for wearing the appropriate eye protection when entering areas where they could be exposed to infra-red radiation.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

In workplaces where there are sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with emissions in the spectral region between 180 nm and 400 nm, employers are required to:

• Restrict access to areas where UV emitting equipment is located except to those who have been trained on the hazards and safety precautions, and to those that must access the equipment because of their work.
• Ensure all users of the equipment are trained on potential hazards and how to safely use the equipment
• Make sure there are warning signs or other devices to indicate when there is a UV radiation hazard
• Place shielding around the emission source using protective cabinets or screens, and have observation ports made of suitable absorbent material (e.g., certain grades of acrylics, polyvinyl chloride or window glass)
• Make sure employees wear appropriate protective clothing, and whenever there is a potential for eye hazards, eye protection (e.g., UV absorbing goggles, spectacles, or face shields).
• Ensure an employee’s exposure to UV radiation does not exceed the occupational exposure limit.

Radiofrequency Radiation

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that can be emitted from many sources such as cell phones, microwaves, radar, medical equipment, radio and TV broadcast stations, RF inductions heaters, etc.

When there are radiation emitting devices in the frequency range of 3 kHz to 300 GHZ, employers are responsible for:

• Ensuring the installation and use of the device follow the guidance from the Safety Code 6 “Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz” issued by Health Canada as amended from time to time.
• Making sure that exposure to employees and other persons to radiofrequency radiation do not exceed the limits set out in Safety Code 6. The “Technical Guide for Safety Code 6: Health Canada's Radiofrequency Exposure Guidelines” can be used to assist employers and users in understanding and assessing the safety of electromagnetic exposures in working and living environments.

General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act
N.B. Reg. 91-191

Part VI NON-IONIZING RADIATION

Section 34 Laser Radiation

34. (1) In industries other than medical industries, an employer shall ensure that laser equipment is operated and used in accordance with the following standards:

(a) ANSI Z136.1-2007, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers or a standard offering equivalent or better protection;

(b) ANSI Z136.4-2005, Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation or a standard offering equivalent or better protection;

(c) ANSI Z136.5-2020, Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions or a standard offering equivalent or better protection;

(d) ANSI Z136.6-2005, Safe Use of Lasers Out‐ doors or a standard offering equivalent or better protection; and

(e) ANSI Z136.7-2008, American National Standard for Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.

(2) In medical industries, an employer shall ensure that laser equipment is operated and used in accordance with the following standards:

(a) CSA standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60601-2-22-01 (R2005), Medical electrical equipment - Part 2: Particular requirements for the safety of diagnostic and therapeutic laser equipment (Adopted CEI/IEC 601-2-22:1995, second edition, 1995-11) or a standard offering equivalent or better protection; and

(b) CSA standard Z386:20, Safe use of lasers in health care or a standard offering equivalent or better protection

[N.B. Reg. 2001-33, s. 14; 2024-38, s. 21]

Section 35 Infra-red Radiation

35. (1) An employer shall ensure that all sources of intense infra-red radiation are shielded as near the source as possible by heat absorbing screens, water screens or other suitable devices.

(2) An employer shall ensure that employees are provided with and wear properly fitting goggles, face shields or other adequate eye protective equipment when entering an area where they may be subjected to infra-red radiation liable to injure or irritate the eyes.

(3) An employee shall wear the eye protective equipment referred to in subsection (2) when entering an area where the employee may be subjected to infra-red radiation liable to injure or irritate the eyes.

Section 36 Ultraviolet Radiation

36. Where emissions of ultraviolet radiation are in the spectral region between 180 nm and 400 nm, an employer shall ensure that

(a) access to areas where equipment emits ultraviolet radiation is limited to those persons directly concerned with its use,

(b) users of such equipment are trained in the hazards and need for precautions,

(c) warning signs or devices are used to indicate the presence of ultraviolet radiation hazard,

(d) protective cabinets or screens are placed around the source of emission, with observation ports made of suitable absorbent materials such as certain grades of acrylics, polyvinyl chloride or window glass,

(e) protective clothing is used by an employee as required,

(f) eye protective equipment such as ultraviolet absorbing goggles, spectacles or face shields are used by an employee whenever there is a potential eye hazard, and

(g) exposure of an employee to ultraviolet radiation does not exceed the occupational exposure limit.

[N.B. Reg. 2022-27, s. 19]

Section 37 Radiofrequency Radiation

37. (1) An employer shall ensure that the installation and use of a radiation emitting device in the frequency range 3 kHz to 300 GHz conforms to the requirements of Safety Code 6: "Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz", published by the Minister of Health Canada and amended from time to time.

(2) An employer shall ensure that the exposure of an employee or other person to radiofrequency radiation at frequencies from 3 kHz to 300 GHz does not exceed the limits set out in the safety code referred to in subsection (1).

[N.B. Reg. 2024-38, s. 22]