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Safety links and articles
 

For a broad overview of safe laser show practices, ILDA's webpage Laser Show Safety - Basic Principles has general guidelines. All ILDA Members who do shows must affirm that they have read, understand and acknowledge these basic principles.

Laser pointers

Although ILDA Members do not generally work with laser pointers, as a public service ILDA co-sponsors the website www.laserpointersafety.com. This site is a major resource about keeping laser pointers safe and legal. It stresses outdoor laser/aviation safety, so that persons do not aim laser beams at airplanes and helicopters.

Laser show incident reports

In July 2008, eye injuries were reported from lasers at the Aquamarine Open Air Festival near Moscow, Russia. Subsequent analysis showed that a pulsed laser had been illegally used to scan into the audience. The laser show company was NOT an ILDA Member.
     This type of laser is inherently more hazardous than continuous-wave lasers. For this reason, ILDA Members are required to affirm that they do not use pulsed lasers for audience scanning. Details about the Aquamarine incident are here.

In July 2009, eye injuries were reported from lasers at the Tomorrowland Festival in Boom, Belgium. An investigation showed that the injuries were from laser pointers misused by persons in the audience. The laser light show, which was produced by an ILDA Member, was cleared in the incident. Calculations show that the laser show power was well below ILDA-recommended limits for festival-type shows. Details about the Tomorrowland incident are here.
 

Articles, papers, and other documents

Audience scanning

We have two webpages for ILDA Members only, with instructions for measuring beam irradiance, and with tips for audience scanning shows.

The following documents are available for download. They may not be posted on your website or reprinted without written permission from ILDA and/or the author(s).

  • Scanning Audiences at Laser Shows: Theory, Practice and a Proposal  A 28-page paper by Patrick Murphy and Greg Makhov, written in 2009 and updated in 2010, This describes audience scanning, discusses the very low number of injury reports and gives reasons why, and presents ILDA's proposal to allow greater laser power in return for banning very high power shows. (This paper is updated periodically. As of November 2010, it is version 2.6. If you need the original version presented at the March 2009 International Laser Safety Conference, contact ILDA.)
         You can also download the audience scanning PowerPoint slides, which were used in a presentation at ILSC 2009 to summarize the paper for the assembled laser safety experts. (The slides have since been updated to add news and correct minor typos. If you need the exact ILSC 2009 slides, contact ILDA.)
  • Audience Scanning Guidelines, a report issued by an international panel of experts at the 1998 ILDA Conference. This is presented for historical purposes, since the "Scanning Audiences at Laser Shows" paper above is more up-to-date.
  • Art vs. Science  This article by Greg Makhov addresses several issues regarding audience scanning, such as how laserists can accurately determine the safety of the effect. This article is an excellent introduction for the non-technical person, yet also contains a wealth of hard data for professionals.
  • Making Shows Safe and Enjoyable  This article by William Benner provides detailed information on how to measure audience scanning effects to make sure international safety standards are met and audiences experience an enjoyable show.
  • Audience Scanning in the USA: Where is It?  Audience scanning happens in Europe, Asia, and almost everywhere except the USA. This Oct. 2000 article by David Lytle discusses the history and future of audience scanning in America. (Note: In 2007, audience scanning using galvanometer scanners was allowed by U.S. regulators under specified conditions. At least two different companies received FDA/CDRH variances for audience scanning. Therefore, there may be elements of this article which are out of date.)

Lasers and aviation safety

The website www.laserpointersafety.com, co-sponsored by ILDA, includes detailed information about lasers and aviation which is useful for those doing laser shows and other outdoor operations.

The following document provides background information on laser/aviation safety. It can be downloaded, but may not be posted at a website or reprinted without written permission from ILDA and/or the author(s). (If you need to, simply link to the document here at ILDA's website.)

  • Lasers and Aviation Safety  A 17-page paper by Patrick Murphy, describing the hazards to pilots, ways to reduce the hazards, regulations, and a brief history of laser/aviation incidents. An earlier version of this was presented at the March 2009 International Laser Safety Conference.
         You can also download the Lasers and Aviation Safety PowerPoint slides, which were used in a presentation at ILSC 2009 to summarize the paper for the assembled laser safety experts. (The slides have since been updated to add news and correct minor typos. If you need the exact ILSC 2009 slides, contact ILDA.)

The following Aerospace Standard (AS) and Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) documents must be purchased from SAE Aerospace, www.sae.org. The price in March 2009 ranged from $48 to $61. In the past, some of these ARPs have formed the basis for government regulations in the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere. ILDA has a copy of each publication for Members' reference, but cannot distribute the full document.

  • AS 4970, Human Factors Considerations for Outdoor Laser Operations in the Navigable Airspace. This became the basis for FAA regulations. It provides a method for protecting navigable airspace, and a procedure for outdoor laser users to seek approval from regulatory agencies for operations of various classes of laser devices.
  • ARP 5290, Laser Beam Divergence Measurements Techniques Comparison. Compares the long focal length lens and small aperture method, the two-point aperture method, the knife-edge measurement method, and use of a beam profiler. The two-point aperture methods was considered to be the simplest, quickest and most practical technique.
  • ARP 5293, Safety Considerations for Lasers Projected in the Navigable Airspace. For users of outdoor lasers.
  • ARP 5535, Observers for Laser Safety in the Navigable Airspace. Provides guidance for optimal use of safety observers ("spotters") during operation of a laser system. It also recommends minimum requirements for a safety observer.
  • ARP 5572, Control Measures for Laser Safety in the Navigable Airspace. Describes pros and cons of safety observers ("spotters") and automated methods of aircraft detection and avoidance. Includes radars (boresight, scanning and phased array), FAA air traffic data, Radar Airspace Monitoring System (RAMS), cameras, infrared cameras, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), and potential future technologies such as GPS and multilateration.

Laser damage to cameras and camcorders

It is not just human eyes which can be damaged by too-powerful lasers. We have information for the general public on laser effects on cameras and camcorders. For ILDA Members only, we have a page with more detailed information on how to avoid damaging cameras and camcorders with laser beams.

United States laser safety laws

For ILDA Members only, we have webpages with details about U.S. laws and regulations, and U.S. import laws.

Other laser safety material

The following document must be purchased from IEC's website (click on the link). For ILDA Members, an earlier draft is available here for Members only which gives a good background. The final version of IEC 60825-3 was changed, in part due to input from ILDA.

  • IEC 60825-3, Safety of laser products part 3: Guidance for laser displays. "This technical report ... provides recommendations for safety for those laser displays or demonstrations that are shows, artistic displays, advertising or light sculptures, or museum pieces used to demonstrate optical principles, etc." ILDA has issued the following statement about the document:

“IEC 60825-3 is a valuable resource for anyone using lasers for display or demonstration purposes. It represents the ‘best practices’ of laser safety specialists from many nations. While it does not supersede national or local laws, it does provide a useful overview of the many considerations necessary to produce a safe laser display.
     For those getting started with laser show safety, the document is worth the approximate USD $85 cost (for PDF version from
IEC’s webstore). It is also especially helpful for those in countries without significant laser safety laws or enforcement, who want to follow well-established international safety practices.”

The following documents are available to ILDA Members only.

  • SAE G-10T Minutes, August 11-15 2008 (for ILDA Members only). This meeting of laser-aviation safety experts contains descriptions of around 12 aircraft illumination incidents, most in the January to July 2008 timeframe. The minutes also describe presentations given by ILDA Executive Director Patrick Murphy to the group.
  • SAE G-10T Minutes, August 13-17 2007 (for ILDA Members only). This meeting of laser-aviation safety experts contains descriptions of around 13 aircraft illumination incidents, most in the April to August 2007 timeframe. The minutes also discuss a laser pointer bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the latest FAA research using lasers in a flight simulator.

    NOTE: These are private documents for ILDA Members' use only, and are not to be distributed outside of ILDA.

The following documents are available for download. They may not be posted on your website or reprinted without written permission from ILDA and/or the author(s).

  • Hardware Safety List  This informational ILDA document provides a summary of the engineering and labeling requirements defined in the IEC 60825-1 standard for laser products. Laser products require certain built-in safety features, depending on the class to which they have been assigned. This document summarizes the required engineering features and product labels.
  • ETS-LDI Laser Exhibitor Guidelines  This document is written for exhibitors at the ETS-LDI trade show. It provides an excellent overview of US rules applicable to using lasers at trade shows and public events in general. It also includes important information for non-US companies that want to display products at US trade shows and/or import products to the US.

   
Links to important laser safety webpages and websites


© 2004-2011 International Laser Display Association. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of text or images on this site is allowed without written permission of ILDA or other copyright holder(s). "ILDA" and the ILDA logo are trademarks of the International Laser Display Association.

ILDA WEBSITE AT-A-GLANCE

 
   Most-used website pages

Home page
What's new with ILDA  (latest news)
----------------------------
Become a Member  (for non-members)
Become Accredited (for laser show companies)
Renew for this year  (for Members)
Member Management website
Contact us  (address, phone, etc.)

Safety links & articles

 

    For laser show clients

Find a laser display company:
      Directory of ILDA Accredited Professionals
      ----------------------------
      Directory of ILDA Members, alphabetical
      Directory of ILDA Members, geographical

      Directory of ILDA Members, searchable database

      Members who renewed for 2011
      ----------------------------
     
Submit an inquiry about a specific project
      Contact ILDA

See our Members' work:
      Places to see laser shows
      Latest shows and projects
      New products and services
     
Press releases from our members
      ----------------------------
      Sign up for Laserist list email
      ----------------------------
      Laser art book: "World of Manick Sorcar"

     
Articles by and about ILDA

Why use lasers:
     
Complete Guide to Laser Shows
     -----------------------------
      Why lasers?
     
Atmospheric beam effects
     
Animated graphics
     
The show
      
Technology

Consumer protection:
    
 ILDA Accreditation helps ensure qualifications
      ILDA Code of Ethics protects you
      Ethics Complaint Form (file a complaint)
      Ethics Complaint List (active complaints)
      What does it mean that a company is an ILDA Member?

     -----------------------------
      Internet and eBay fraud warning
      Safety links & articles
      Laser effects on cameras and camcorders
     -----------------------------
     Are you being harassed by lasers?

     
For laser pointers:
        Safety warning: "DVD Laser Flashlight Hack"

        Laser Pointer Safety website

Inquiries and referrals (find a company, book a show, ask a question)
 

   For all laserists

Become an ILDA Member
ILDA Pro (IAPLC) accreditation

-----------------------------
Laser Safety Officer course
Online Store website
ILDA mailing lists:
      ILDA and Laserist mailing lists
      ILDA BuySell mailing list
-----------------------------
Safety links & articles
Links to related sites

 

 
   For ILDA members

Members-Only pages:
     
How to get a Members-Only password
      -----------------------------
      New Member information
      ILDA Award photos for Members
   
  ILDA logos for Member use
   
  ILDA logo policy
      -----------------------------
   
  Insurance
    
 Insurance & shipping liability
      -----------------------------
     Audience scanning: Measurements and MPE levels

     Audience scanning: Suggested practices
    
U.S. national laser laws and regulations 
     U.S. import laws:

           U.S. laser laws affecting importers
           CDRH-ILDA letters, Nov. 2007
           Discussion of U.S. import laws
      Local laser laws and regulations
      Avoiding damage to cameras and projectors
      -----------------------------
    
 Technical standards
      "Undergraduate Photons" paper
      -----------------------------
    
 ILDA Bylaws
    
 Board meeting minutes:
            2011
            2010    2009

            2008    2007 
            2006 and earlier

      -----------------------------
     ILDA tradeshow reports:
            SIB, April 2008 in Rimini
            Show-way, Feb. 2008, Bergamo
            -----------------------------
            LDI, Nov. 2007, Orlando
            PALME, May 2007, Dubai

Member Management website & Online Store
Password help

Update your listings
----------------------------
Renewals:
      Quick and easy renewal process
      Members who renewed for 2011
     -----------------------------
      Members who renewed for 2010
      Members who renewed for 2009


Membership information:
      Member Management website (renew, conference registration, etc.)
      How to check your Membership status & listings

      How to update your Membership listing
      How to renew your Membership

      How to make payments via PayPal or credit card
      -----------------------------
      Membership FAQ
      Branch office policy
     
Restrictions on Individual & Student Members

Membership benefits:
      Networking
      Membership listings
     
Annual Conference
      ----------------------------
     
Use the ILDA Member logo
     
Enter the ILDA Awards
     
Receive inquiries
      ----------------------------
     
Member Discount Program
 
    Insurance
     -----------------------------
     
Help set standards
    
 Access to ILDA Standards
      -----------------------------
     
Work on committees
     
Ethics Committee
    
 Input to regulatory agencies
     
"Self-help"

Member Discount Program
----------------------------
Ethics and business:
      Code of Ethics
     
Code of Business Practice
     
Code of Bus. Pr. FAQ
      Ethics Complaint Form
       -----------------------------
     
Intellectual property tips

      2010 warning - OpenGL artware piracy

Accreditation & certification programs
      Overview
      Required elements
      "ILDA Professional" IAPLC program

Laser safety basics

 

 

 
   About ILDA

Contact us
Permission to reprint ILDA material
----------------------------
What we do:
     Our mission
     Protecting the industry
     What does it mean that a company is an ILDA Member?
     ILDA's power and limits

     -----------------------------
     Articles by and about ILDA


Board, Executive Director & committees:
     
Board and Executive Director
     
Board duties
      Running and voting for the Board
     
Committees
      Volunteer opportunities
      -----------------------------
      ILDA's power and limits

Our history:
     Founding meeting, 1986
     Founding Members, 1986
  
  ILDA timeline, 1986-present
     -----------------------------
    
List of past ILDA Award winners
    
List of past ILDA Conferences
    
List of past Board members
     -----------------------------
     Current "What's new" page (for this year)
     Past "What's new" pages:
            2010
     2009
            2008    
2007  
            2006

 
 

   The ILDA Conference

Future conferences

Previous conferences:
     -----------------------------
    
2011 Nov., Moscow
          Post-conference report
    
Pre-conference information:
          Overview, registration, attendees

     -----------------------------
     2010 Sept., cruise #2 from Miami
          Tim Walsh's diary
          Attendees
          Pre-conference information:
               Overview and registration
               Reservations and travel
     -----------------------------
      2009 June, Amsterdam
          Overview and photos
          Technology Workshop
           Pre-conference information:
               ILDA Member registration
               Non-member registration
     -----------------------------
    
 2008 Sept., cruise from Miami
            Post-conference report
            Tim Walsh's diary
            Attendees

            Pre-conference information:
                Overview
                Photo preview
                Reservations and getting there
     
          Conference registration
        
       Sponsorship opportunities
                Logo contest (deadline 6/30)
     -----------------------------
      2007 March, Heshan, China:
           About the 2007 Conference
           List of attendees
     
2006 March, Rimini, Italy
     
List of past conferences

About conferences:
      Conferences: A general overview
      Conference hosting guide
 
 

   The ILDA Awards

2011 Award winners

Previous ILDA Award winners

    
List of all artistic & tech winners
     List of all Career Achievement Award winners
     Winners by year:
                                                  2011

         
2010  2009  2008  2007  2006
         
2005  2004  2003  2002  2001
         
2000  1999  1998  1997  1996
         
1995  1994  1993  1992  1991
         
1990  1989  1988     

Awards overview
Judging guidelines

----------------------------
2012 entry forms
2011 entry forms
ILDA Award trophy photos (Members only)

 

   The Laserist magazine