Laser Safety Instructions
During operation of class 3B and class 4 lasers red warning lights have to be switched on manually
Red warning light at the door of the room, containing laser-based equipment, prohibits the entrance
Optical path of the laser beam at all setups has to stay intact and should never be disassembled by a user. Users
are never permitted to disconnect optical connections (pipes, fibers etc), remove protective coverings or
disassemble any parts of the setups, especially those parts that are labeled with laser-warning signs.
User has to make sure, that objectives mounts are blocked by objectives or light- blocking plugs, before switching
the system on or starting the work
Any cleaning activities (objectives, stage cleanings) as well as changing of objectives or filters have to be performed
only after blocking of the laser light is ensured. This can be ensured by closing the scanhead shutter or switching
off the laser.
Laser class-specific warnings at each setup have to be observed and considered
Eye contact with direct beam of Class 3B laser, or eye contact with mirror reflection from class 3B laser, should be
avoided at all times
Eye or skin contact with direct or diffuse light of Class 4 laser, should be avoided at all times
Laser safety goggles are situated at all workspaces and should be used in any situation where potential contact of
eyes with Laser light of the classes 3B or 4 is possible, according to the previous two points
Laser safety goggles have to be worn at all times of operation of Laser Class 4
Laser safety goggles have to be worn at all times of operation laser Class 3 at the optogenetic setups
Laser safety goggles are assigned to each setup and matched to the corresponding laser wavelengths. Matching
laser safety goggles should be used at all times, and should not be carried over between the setups
Only one person is allowed to be in the corresponding compartment during Laser Class 4 operation and
optogenetic setup operation
Users are not allowed to wear any reflective objects (rings, watches etc) during laser operation
Using of the equipment is only allowed after the introduction from a laser safety officer of IST Austria. Introduction
has to be done individually for each setup.
Changing experimental conditions, that involves changes in the laser application, have to be reported to the laser
safety officer prior to the start of experiment
Users have to understand that any violations against the instructed rules and also withholding information leading to
safety hazards will ultimately result in denial of admission to all laser equipped instruments at the IST Austria.
