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To whom it may concern,

Over the last year or 2 there appears to have been a numbers of rumours and myths raised on lasers and their uses. It has come to my attention that some end users have stopped using lasers "because they are illegal" or that end users have been told that only a particular company can install a system as "they are the only approved and registered installers".

I trust this letter will put these rumours/myths to rest and assist end users and others in answering a number of commonly asked questions.

These rumours have come about after the introduction of a new guideline from the Health + Safety Executive, being guideline note HSG95, which replaced the former guideline note PM19. Interpretation by some individuals is at best ill-informed advice and at worst scare mongering and slanderous.

PM19 was with us for many years and on the main points (MPE levels etc) does not differ from HSG95. Both documents are GUIDELINE notes issued by the Health and Safety Executive.

In short: There are No New Laws On the use of Entertainment Lasers

Now a brief summary of questions with answers that I hope will dispel the myth and assist end users

Question: Are there government registered Laser installers and suppliers?

(typical Statement being: " We are the only company in the UK registered to install lasers")

Answer: NOThere is no registration procedure within local or national government departments to cover such a procedure. Indeed there are no specific laws in the UK that requires registration.

BEWARE of any company or individual who suggests they are a registered laser installer, or indeed if they suggest that only they are approved to carry out the installation.

ASK about trained personnel, REQUEST risk assessment documentation etc, finally make your own judgement on their competence

Question: Is there specific legislation on the use of lasers in entertainment?

(typical Statement being: " no you can't use a laser you haven't got a license")

Answer: NO The use of lasers in entertainment is covered in a Health + safety Executive guide line Note, being HSG95. This document is nationally accepted throughout the UK and is a guideline and not a legislative document. However local authorities have other legislative powers (eg licensing) which could be used to stop a laser being used. This also applies to a whole host of other subjects which, whilst having no legal standing, can be covered by licensing.

ASK about trained personnel, REQUEST risk assessment documentation etc, finally make your own judgement on their competence

Question: Is it legal to scan audiences with laser effects

(typical Statement being: " no its illegal to scan the crowd")

Answer: YES There is no law or guideline that states that you can not scan the public with laser effects.

The competent installer of a laser will be aware that to scan the audience, the laser effect must be within the MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) levels for a given time period. All systems that are used for this effect would be expected to have an approved 'scan fail detection device'

Question: Can I use mirror-balls with laser effects?

(typical Statement being: " no its illegal to use lasers onto mirror- balls")

Answer: YES There is no law or guideline that states that you can not use mirror-ball effects.

Any competent installer of a laser will be aware that all effects that expose the public must be within the MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) levels for a given time period. All systems that are used for this effect would be expected to have an approved 'scan fail detection device'

Question: Who do I speak to have my laser installation approved?

Answer: The onus should be on the supplier to carry out this task on your behalf. However in most cases your local authority environmental Health department is usually the department that will deal with your installation.

The documentation normally required is as follows:

• HSG 95 notification document
• Risk assessment documentation
• Relevant training certificates etc.

All ELA members use a standard format for the above which has been accepted, as an authoritative and informative document, by the Health + Safety Executive.

Question: Where can I get further information

Answer: Your local Environmental health Department

• The Health and safety Executive (local or national)
• ELA Technical Advisor (Paul Tozer on 01202 770 740)
• ELA website: http://www.ela.org.uk

Who are 'ELA' ?

In January 1997 a number of British laser companies attended a meeting with the National Radiological Protection Board. This meeting discussed and addressed various UK and European guidelines on the use of entertainment laser systems and it became apparent that the industry needed to address certain issues.

To address these issues the association ‘BELA’ [British Entertainment Laser Association] was formed and a number of strategic goals were drawn up. Subsequently it became apparent that other countries were facing similar issues and indeed interest was shown from overseas companies. It was therefore decided that a more international approach was needed and the association was re-named ‘ELA’ [Entertainment Laser Association]. It is anticipated, long term, that individual countries will raise local sub committees and have a single representative to the main committee

It is not the intention of ELA to compete with ILDA but to compliment and indeed form association between both bodies. We believe ELA will be well placed to initially give a European view to the international laser display industry.

A brief outline on ELA’s mission and strategic goals is as follows:

‘ELA’ -Mission Statement. To promote the use of lasers for entertainment purposes. It is committed developing a working code of practice that minimises the risk of injury to operators and the viewing public.

Strategic goals:

• Develop and implement a code of practice
• Code of practice introduced in November 1997
• To provide training courses (members, EHO’s and operators)
• To develop courses aimed specifically at our industry (BTEC/NVQ)
• further courses designed for Laser safety
• To develop a universal scan fail protection system for its members
• UK’s 1^st approved scan fail electronics introduced April 1998
• To give advice on public liability insurance
• Advise given to freelance members on 3^rd part risk etc
• To develop a professional approach to safety with a view to self regulation
• To standardise our approach to risk assessment and provide information on the presentation of documentation for EHO’s and H+SE
• ELA has introduced a comprehensive risk assessment document together with guides to safety. This documentation is now a standard part of members presentation for local authorities etc.
• To promote a safe and professional industry.
• An ongoing task that has already achieved most of its initial goals

I trust the above is of assistance, if I may be of further assistance please call me.

Yours Sincerely,

Geoff Jones (Chair)

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