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Laser pointer guidance

Laser Pointers

As members who play Warhammer 40K will know a new 5th edition rulebook was issued in early July 2008. The new rules use true line of sight and Games Workshop are selling a laser pointer.

Some members may have old laser pointers knocking around in an old tool box which may soon see use at SMS.

This does pose a potential safety problem since some laser pointers imported before 2005** can be unsafe. The committee have been advised that they need to issue guidance about the use of Laser Pointers to fulfil their Duty of Care under various Health and Safety regulations.

Luckily the current Plymouth Association of Wargamers' chairman (Orlando Murrish) is a Health and Safety professional (chartered member of IOSH if you want to be formal about it), and he has provided a full guidance document, which can be found on the following page.

So if you want to use a laser pointer at SMS show it to Roger before using it. You will then be told if it is safe to use at SMS or not.

Laser Pointer Guidance

Anyone using a laser pointer at SMS must comply with this guidance.

Think about what you point at, remember the beam will carry across the room and could affect people at other tables.
Never point the beam at people and in particular the face or eyes.
Your pointer must have an on/off switch where action by the user is required to emit laser light (press to use). Never misuse this; for example by wedging a pointer under a heavy book so it continuously marks a line on a table.
If you do get a class 2 laser in the eye your natural blink reaction will protect you (although you may still experience a bright flash, after images, or even a temporary loss of vision in the affected eye). These effects wear off quickly. To do damage you need to stare into a class 2 laser for an extended period, obviously do not do this!
Members with minors are responsible for the behaviour of those minors. If minors are using a laser pointer they must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Club Officers will intervene if the above guidance is not followed and members can and will be prohibited from using laser pointers that do not conform.

Orlando Murrish CMIOSH
2nd July 2008

**Trading Standards Authorities used their powers under the General Safety Products Regulations 2005 to remove laser pointers higher than class 2 from the general market.

Permitted Laser Pointer

Labelled using British Standards*
Class 2 limited to a maximum output of one thousand of a watt (mW).
Must have a laser warning label.
Must have an on/off switch where action by the user is required to emit laser light (press to use).

*BS EN 60825-1 incorporating Amendment Nos. 1,2 and 3. Safety of laser products Part 1.