A risk assessment methodology for the use of lasers in the entertainment industry

Lasers have been used in the entertainment industry since 1964, when they were used in the film Goldfinger. Laser display shows commenced in about 1973. It would be reasonable to expect laser safety to have been adequately addressed over the last twenty-five years. This research showed that the industry was not able to assess the risks from its work. A national survey of the competence of enforcing officers showed that they rarely had the necessary expertise to judge the safety of shows. Therefore, there was often a wide gulf between the laser companies and those responsible for enforcing entertainment and health and safety legislation. A hazard assessment methodology has been developed which considers any laser show as a series of modules which may have different hazards associated with them at different stages of the life cycle, and different people would potentially be exposed to these hazards. A number of laser radiation exposure situations have been assessed, including audience scanning. A theoretical understanding of the laser scanning issues and the application of measurement techniques to enable assessments to be carried out against internationally recognised maximum permissible exposure levels were developed. The conclusion was that the practice of audience scanning was not acceptable in its current form. A number of laser companies worldwide have accepted this view as a direct result of this research. A means of presenting the risk assessment for a laser display has been developed which provides benefits for the laser company, the venue manager, event promoter and the enforcing officer. It is recognised that a complete assessment may not be possible in the time available and a focused approach to the assessment is presented. In summary, if audience scanning is intended, the assessment is complex, but if this practice is not intended then the assessment can be straightforward. Suggestions are made for applying the risk assessment methodology to other laser applications.