Not So Safe Safety Glasses
Safety Glasses not always what they appear
Cheap and unenclosed diode laser cutters have become very popular in recent years. Being low cost and sold by many online retailers, Amazon, Aliexpress, Bol.com to name a few, they are now used by 1000's of people across Europe of which many unaware of the risk to their vision and health.
The legality of these grey imported devices is one question we will cover in another blog. However for now we will focus on the more pressing matter of protecting yourself should you already own one.
While the importance to wear protective googles is known to many users, how many know the googles supplied and 'designed' to keep them safe from the laser radiation are in reality often not providing the protection needed!
A recent flurry of Rapex reports demonstrates how wide spread the issue is.
https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen (Search in the Free text for laser safety glasses)
How do you know if your safety glasses are really offering the protection you need?
Personal Protective Equipment is governed by the Personal Protective Equipment Directive 89/6866/EEC
As PPE is essentially the last resort in protecting you from the danger, if the danger is great enough, it is mandatory your equipment is tested by an authorised 3rd party.
Even though laser radiation can cause irreversible damage to heath in the form of lost vision, Non Ionising radiation is not mentioned under Category III and therefore PPE designed for protecting you from Laser radiation will fall under Category II.
According to the Directive, Category II PPE requires an EU notified body approval before they can be placed on the market.
List of European notified bodies approved for testing PPE
In addition to the European directive there is the European standard for Laser personal eye protection equipment: EN 207:2017
While standards are not mandatory they are the easiest way to prove conformity and it is unlikely any notified body would approve Laser PPE without its application.
What to look for.
If designed according to EN207:2017, the glasses will bear the marks according to the images below.
In addition to the markings on the glasses you should also receive an EU declaration of conformity.
On the declaration of conformity you should check the certificate is issued by a registered EU notified body for PPE equipment, and the manufacturers name matches the markings on the product and certificates.
Most Notified bodies have a certificate look up. Here is an example from
DIN CERTCO
issuing a correct certificate for CO2 laser protection goggles to our preferred supplier of laser eye protection
Laser Pair.
Where to order?
Contact info@lasermachinesafety.com if you have any further questions or would like to order a pair of certified laser safety glasses from an EU supplier.
