Lasers + X-ray Equipment: Registration + Inspection

Setting Up a Class 3B or Class 4 Laser Laboratory

All Class 3B and Class 4 laser labs must conform to the Laser Controlled Area Requirements  and Emergency Shutdown Requirements  approved by the Radiation Safety Committee. The schematics for the laser labs  outline the key laser safety features that need to be considered as part of the laser lab setup process.

Lasers that Require Registration

All Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must be registered with Health, Safety and Environment.

The laser class is typically indicated on the device or in the manufacturer's information that is included with the device.

The following equipment may also contain or be classified as Class 3B or 4 lasers:

• confocal microscopes.
• laser imaging systems.
• medical/therapeutic lasers.
• raman spectrometers.

Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R lasers do not require registration. Examples of class 1 lasers are grocery store scanners, while Class 2 lasers include laser pointers.

To learn more about lasers, consult the Laser Safety Manual , take the appropriate laser safety training, and review some of our other resources in the right-hand column.

Register Laser + X-ray Equipment

1. Review the information guide.
2. Submit the appropriate application form to hse.info@ualberta.ca:
   • For Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems used in research, complete the Application to Register Lasers in Research form . Use this form to renew equipment as well. Note that the registration certificate form for research lasers has changed; it now allows multiple lasers on a single registration certificate for a single owner.
   • For X-ray equipment, as well as Class 3B and Class 4 lasers used in healthcare, complete the Application to Register X-ray Equipment and Lasers used in Healthcare .
     • Renew your Registration

Training Required to Operate Laser + X-ray Equipment

Personnel wishing to operate a laser must complete HSE laser safety training and receive equipment safety training from their supervisor before using the device:

• Personnel wishing to operate Class 3B or Class 4 laser systems in research must take the online Laser Safety Course .
• Personnel wishing to operate medical Class 3B or Class 4 lasers (e.g. dental lasers) must take the online Medical Laser Safety course .
• Personnel wishing to operate X-ray equipment used in research must first complete the Analytical X-ray equipment  course, review the Information kit for X-ray workers , and receive in-person equipment safety training from their supervisor.
• Personnel using portable hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) devices must have a valid Level 1 (or higher) Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) certification.