Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical requirements for the safe use of laser equipment for measurement tasks in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control eye and skin exposure risks, manage reflections and beam paths, and ensure all laser-based surveying and alignment activities are carried out in line with WHS obligations.

Laser-based measurement systems are now standard across construction, manufacturing, laboratories, and infrastructure projects, but even relatively low-powered devices can cause permanent eye damage, fire hazards, and serious interference with other work activities if they are not managed correctly. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for the safe use of laser levels, rangefinders, alignment lasers, scanning and metrology systems in Australian workplaces. It clarifies how to classify laser devices, set up controlled areas, manage line-of-sight and reflections, and implement appropriate personal protective equipment and signage.

The document is designed to help businesses demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation by embedding consistent, defendable work methods wherever lasers are used for measurement. It addresses common pain points such as ad‑hoc use of laser levels on busy construction sites, uncontrolled use of laser pointers in workshops and labs, and the integration of laser-based measurement into existing permit-to-work and isolation systems. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood of eye injuries, near misses, and regulatory non‑compliance, while also improving the accuracy, repeatability, and traceability of measurement activities.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe work practices for all laser-based measurement tasks across sites and teams.
• Reduce the risk of eye injuries and near misses from direct, indirect, and reflected laser beams.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant laser safety standards.
• Standardise training and competency requirements for personnel using laser equipment.
• Integrate laser measurement activities into existing risk assessment, permit, and isolation processes.

Who is this for?

• Surveyors
• Engineering Technicians
• Construction Project Managers
• Laboratory Managers
• WHS Advisors and HSE Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Manufacturing and Production Engineers
• Calibration and Metrology Technicians
• Facilities Managers
• R&D Team Leaders

Hazards Addressed

• Eye damage from direct exposure to laser beams
• Eye damage from specular and diffuse reflections off shiny or light-coloured surfaces
• Skin exposure to higher-powered or misused laser devices
• Trip and fall hazards from cables, tripods, and stands associated with laser equipment
• Fire risk from inappropriate use of higher-class lasers near flammable materials
• Distraction and visual interference for plant operators and vehicle drivers
• Unauthorised or untrained use of laser devices, including handheld laser pointers
• Interference with other optical instruments and sensitive electronic equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Laser Classification
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Competency, Training and Authorisation Requirements
• 6.0 Equipment Types, Selection and Labelling
• 7.0 Pre-use Checks and Maintenance Requirements
• 8.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures for Laser Use
• 9.0 Establishing and Controlling Laser Work Areas
• 10.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Laser Operations
• 11.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Step-by-Step Use of Lasers in Measurement
• 12.0 Working Near Plant, Traffic and Other Trades
• 13.0 Housekeeping, Storage and Transport of Laser Equipment
• 14.0 Incident Reporting, Near Misses and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Emergency Response for Suspected Eye or Skin Exposure
• 16.0 Inspection, Calibration and Recordkeeping
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• AS/NZS IEC 60825.1: Safety of laser products – Equipment classification and requirements
• AS/NZS IEC 60825.14: Safety of laser products – A user's guide
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1337.4: Personal eye protection – Filters and eye protectors against laser radiation
• AS/NZS ISO 9001: Quality management systems – Requirements (for controlled measurement processes)