Product Overview

This Laser Safety SWMS is a detailed Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls when working with industrial and commercial laser equipment, helping you maintain strong WHS compliance on site. It provides comprehensive coverage of laser cutting, engraving and beam operations across multiple laser classes and machine types to help you manage high-risk plant and radiation exposures.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe setup, operation and shutdown of continuous laser beam machines in workshop and site environments
• Risk controls for operating laser cutters on metals, plastics and composite materials, including guarding and interlocks
• Management of low-power Lasers Classes 1 and 2, including eye protection, signage and administrative controls
• Higher-risk controls for Lasers Classes 3A, 3B and 3R, including restricted access, beam enclosures and permit systems
• General safe use of lasers in fabrication, maintenance and production tasks, including exclusion zones and supervision
• Operation of metal fibre laser cutting machines, including fume extraction, fire prevention and material handling
• Use of metal laser engraving machines, including control of reflections, smoke, and safe loading/unloading of workpieces
• Specific controls for pulse laser beam machines, including burst energy hazards and appropriate PPE selection
• Use of lasers for cutting or engraving various substrates, including control of airborne contaminants and off-gassing
• Working with lasers and ultraviolet (UV) sources, including skin and eye protection, shielding and exposure limits
• Selection, inspection and maintenance of laser safety PPE, including laser-rated eye protection and protective clothing
• Emergency response procedures for laser-related incidents, including eye exposure, burns and fire outbreaks
• Safe electrical isolation, lockout/tagout and maintenance practices for laser plant and associated extraction systems

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for metal fabricators, signwriters, manufacturing and production facilities, laser engraving businesses, maintenance contractors and site supervisors overseeing any work involving laser cutting, engraving or UV-generating plant.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with laser machinery and associated plant.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Applicable where laser equipment and associated plant generate hazardous noise.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for ventilation, lighting, amenities and safe layout around laser work areas.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing and controlling laser-related hazards.
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance for first aid arrangements for burns, eye injuries and exposure incidents.
• AS/NZS IEC 60825.1 Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements: Classification and safety requirements for laser products used in the workplace.
• AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye protection – Eye and face protectors for occupational applications: Selection and use of appropriate eye protection against laser and UV exposure.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment: Applicable where laser cutting and engraving generate fumes, vapours or particulates.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017