Solutions for Safety & Visual Communication

Favorites

Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT

1-888-326-9244

Graphic Products
  • Resources
  • Support
  • Samples
  • Contact
  • Shop All Products
    CLOSE

    CATEGORIES
    • Printers
    • Printer Supply
    • Floor Marking
    • Pipe Marking
    • Signs & Labels
    • COVID-19 Solutions

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak
    Multi-color, large format

    KODIAK SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Toro

    DuraLabel Toro
    Portable, stand-alone

    TORO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco
    Industrial, efficient

    BRONCO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo
    Grab n' go labeler

    LOBO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300
    Simple and reliable

    PRO 300 SUPPLIES

    LABELING SOFTWARE PRINTER ACCESSORIES PRINTER SUPPORT SHOP ALL PRINTERS
    SHOP BY APPLICATION
    Arc Flash GHS & HazCom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking See All
    SUPPLY TYPE
    General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperatures Repositionable Tamper Resistant See All
    SHOP BY PRINTER
    Kodiak Supplies Toro Supplies Bronco Supplies Lobo Supplies DLP 300 Supplies See All

    RIBBONS PRINTER & SUPPLY BUNDLES SHOP ALL SUPPLIES
    FLOOR TAPES
    5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip See All
    FLOOR SIGNS
    BUNDLES
    SHAPES
    ACCESSORIES
    Applicators Stair Safety Floor Laminate
    Social Distancing Floor Signs

    SHOP ALL FLOOR TAPES
    STANDARD PIPE MARKERS
    Fire Quenching Flammable / Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water See All
    AMMONIA
    Pipe Markers Component Markers See All
    SHOP BY STANDARD
    ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
    flammable-pipe-markers

    ARROW BANDING TAPE ACCESSORIES VALVE TAGS SHOP ALL PIPE MARKERS
    SHOP BY SUBJECT
    Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE See All
    SHOP BY HEADER
    Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning See All
    COVID-19 Premade Signs

    SHOP ALL SAFETY SIGNS
    COVID-19 SOLUTIONS
    Safety Signs Printer Kits Awareness Posters A-Frame Signs Sneeze Guards
    SOCIAL DISTANCING
    Wall Signs & Labels Floor Signs Floor Tape Shop All
    COVID-19 BY INDUSTRY
    Grocery & Retail Medical & Healthcare Office Settings Restaurants & Food Service Food Manufacturing Construction
     
    Manufacturing Finance Transportation Education

    SHOP ALL COVID-19 SOLUTIONS
  • My Account
  • Quick Order
    Enter item SKU# and quantity
  • Cart()
Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT 1-888-326-9244
Graphic Products
Menu Sign In
Products
Printers
Shop All Printers
Industrial Printers
Shop All Industrial Printers DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Bundles & Starter Kits
Shop All Bundles & Starter Kits
Labeling Software
Software DuraSuite Labeling Software LabelForge Labeling Software
Printer Supply
Shop All Printer Supply
Shop by Application
Shop All by Application Arc Flash GHS & Hazcom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking
Shop by Supply Type
Shop All by Supply Type General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperatures Repositionable Tamper Resistant
Shop by Printer
Shop All by Printer DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Other
Shop All Other Ribbons Printer & Supply Bundle
Floor Marking
Shop All Floor Marking
Floor Tape
Shop All Floor Tape 5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip
Floor Signs
Shop All Floor Signs
Accessories
Shop All Accessories Stair Safety Floor Laminate
Other
Shop All Other Bundles Shapes
Safety Signs & Labels
Shop All Safety Signs
Shop by Subject
Shop All by Subject Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE
Shop by Header
Shop All by Header Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning
COVID-19 Solutions
Shop All COVID-19 Solutions
COVID-19 Solutions
Safety Signs Printer Kits Awareness Posters A-Frame Signs Sneeze Guards
Social Distancing
Wall Signs & Labels Floor Signs Floor Tape Shop All
COVID-19 by Industry
Grocery & Retail Medical & Healthcare Office Settings Restaurants & Food Service Food Manufacturing Construction Manufacturing Finance Transportation Education
Pipe Markers & Tags
Shop All Pipe Markers & Tags
Standard Pipe Markers
Shop All Standard Pipe Markers Fire Quenching Flammable/Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water
Ammonia
Shop All Ammonia Pipe Markers Component Markers
Shop by Standard
Shop All by Standard ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
Other
Shop All Other Arrow Banding Tape Accessories Valve Tags
Resources
Support
Free Samples
Contact Us
Cart
Sign In
  • Home
  • Safety Blog
  • Industrial Laser Use Grows, as Do Safety Controls and Cautions

Industrial Laser Use Grows, as Do Safety Controls and Cautions

BY CHRISTINE TORRES

Published February 14, 2018

Laser use in industry has seen a sharp increase in the past year and the technology is being used for a variety of applications. As the use of this technology grows and develops, so must workplace safety plans. Hazard potential comes from materials processing using high-powered lasers.

After years of precursory work by engineers and scientists, in 1960, an American physicist was able to generate an intense, very narrow beam of light of a single wavelength. Since then, fascinations, imaginations, and new discoveries using Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, or laser technology, have spiraled. The industrial laser market in 2017 grew by 26% with a more modest growth expected for 2018 driven by developments in fine metal, non-metal, and additive manufacturing, according to a report by David Belforte, chief editor of Industrial Laser Solutions.

Laser Use Increasing

Industrial interest in lasers has grown, propelling developments in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. In additive manufacturing, components are created from nothing more than powder and laser light. Industries that are practicing this type of manufacturing include aerospace, automotive, medical, dental, sciences, and retail. Some of the uses include cutting, welding, surveying, marking, and cladding. Within the medical sector, custom models and parts are cost-effective to build without sacrificing strength. Recently, 3D printing has found applications in dentistry to create crowns and bridges, and it is moving toward the ability to create permanent restorations in dental composites.

The paradigm shift toward additive manufacturing carries the promise of producing complex objects without using any tools. Steady progress is being made, albeit slowly. It is very suitable for a manufacturing environment where products assembled vary in application, lot size, and production processes, said Anand Prakasam, head of EOS India. However, Gordon Styles, president and founder of Star Rapid, says lack of design for manufacturing knowledge is delaying full-on adoption of this technology for additive manufacturing. Learning takes time and mastering takes experience. Another hold up, he said, is that 3D printing technology is slow and expensive. “Despite it being years away from true commercial viability, it can certainly find niche applications right now,” he said.

Laser Safety Controls

Signs warn of hazards when using lasersAccording to the U.S. Department of Energy Berkeley Lab, the chief concern over laser use is the possibility of eye and skin injuries. Eye injuries drive the need for workplace laser safety, funding, controls, and application. Biological effects from direct exposure and diffuse reflection exposure will differ. The American National Standards Institute has compliance standards for laser safety in the United States: ANSI Z136. Here are several tips to communicate laser hazards and safety in additive manufacturing:

  • Communicate laser classification, laser parameters, and optical density requirements for laser eye wear on laser hazard warning signs
  • Post signs/procedures (or equivalent) near the laser control panel to communicate changing operation modes
  • Post emergency entry procedures, including a description of how the laser hazard is disabled, near the control area entry
  • Post a visitor policy near the laser working area
  • Display a core laser safety practices poster
  • Label emergency off buttons

Lasers are used in industry for a variety of applications. As this technology develops, so must workplace safety plans. Materials processing with high-powered lasers can include cutting, drilling, and welding, which harbor potential hazards. Warn of the dangers and display precautions associated with lasers using custom or premade laser safety signs and labels. Communicate and highlight the importance of wearing proper personal protective equipment where a laser is present, for dust particle protection, vision and skin protection, and more. Graphic Products is an innovative global leader in industrial label and sign printers, providing compliance and educational resources to protect workers. Produce OSHA/ANSI compliant labels with an industrial label and sign printing system, such as the versatile and easy-to-use DuraLabel Toro. For more information about products and services, call 888-326-9244.

Related Resources

OSHA Safety Signs Guide

OSHA Safety Signs Guide

Learn what essential safety labels you need and how to create them per OSHA and ANSI standards and requirements.

Download
OSHA/ANSI Safety Sign Standards

OSHA/ANSI Safety Sign Standards

Discover the rules and regulations for safety signs.

Watch
OSHA Safety Signs Infographic

OSHA Safety Signs Infographic

Get a step-by-step visual guide for creating compliant OSHA safety signs and labels for essential applications

View
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Catalog
  • Support
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2021
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data