Section 315.150  Caution Signs, Labels and Postings

a)         Except as otherwise authorized by the Agency, signs and labels prescribed by this Section shall use the design and colors specified in Illustration A or B of this Part.

b)         Controlled areas shall be conspicuously posted with appropriate sign or signs as specified in subsection (c).

c)         Labeling and Posting Laser Systems and Laser Facilities

1)         Class 3b lasers shall have a label and facilities shall be posted with signs with the warning specified in Illustration A and that include the following wording:

(Position 1 on the logotype)

"LASER RADIATION − AVOID DIRECT EXPOSURE TO BEAM"

(Position 3 on the logotype)

"CLASS 3b LASER"

2)         Class 4 lasers shall have a label and facilities shall be posted with signs with the warning specified in Illustration B and that include the following wording:

(Position 1 on the logotype)

"LASER RADIATION − AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO

DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION"

(Position 3 on the logotype)

"CLASS 4 LASER"

3)         Each laser, except lasers used in the practice of medicine, shall have labels in close proximity to each aperture through which is emitted accessible laser radiation in excess of the MPE with the following wording as applicable:

A)        "AVOID EXPOSURE − Laser radiation is emitted from this aperture", if the radiation emitted through the aperture is laser radiation.

B)        "AVOID EXPOSURE − Hazardous electromagnetic radiation is emitted from this aperture", if the radiation emitted through the aperture is electromagnetic radiation.

C)        "AVOID EXPOSURE − Hazardous x-rays are emitted from this aperture", if the radiation emitted through the aperture is x-ray radiation.

4)         Each label specified in this subsection (c) shall state, at position 2 on the required warning logotype, the maximum output of laser radiation, the pulse duration when appropriate, and the laser medium or emitted wavelengths.

5)         Each noninterlocked or defeatably interlocked portion of the protective housing or enclosure that is designed to be displaced or removed during normal operation, maintenance or servicing and that would permit human access to laser radiation shall have labels as follows:

A)        For Class 3b laser radiation, the wording:  "DANGER − Laser radiation when open, AVOID DIRECT EXPOSURE TO BEAM".

B)        For Class 4 laser radiation, the wording:  "DANGER − Laser radiation when open, AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION".

C)        For protective housings or enclosures that provide a defeatable interlock, the phrase "and interlock defeated" shall be inserted after the word "open" on the labels specified in subsections (c)(5)(A) and (B) of this Section.

6)         The word "invisible" shall precede the word "laser" on labels and signs required by this Part for wavelengths of laser radiation that are outside of the range of 400 to 710 nanometers.

7)         The words "visible and invisible" shall precede the word "laser" on labels and signs required by this Part for wavelengths of laser radiation that are both within and outside the range of 400 to 710 nanometers.  For laser products emitting only visible wavelengths, the phrase "laser light" may be used in lieu of "laser radiation".

8)         All labels placed on lasers or signs posted in laser facilities shall be positioned so as to make unnecessary, during reading, human exposure to laser radiation in excess of the MPE.

9)         Labels and signs required by this Part shall be clearly visible, legible and permanently attached to the laser or facility.

AGENCY NOTE:  With respect to laser systems only, the labeling requirements found in 21 CFR 1040, and labels otherwise approved by the FDA, may be used in lieu of subsection (c).

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 20200, effective December 9, 2013)