Nature of medical examinations of persons working with laser beams

The main danger caused by laser beams is to the eyes, especially in cases where radiation penetrates the eye. Precautionary examinations of persons who work with lasers are therefore primarily eye tests. An example of laser injuries to the eye was reported with the specific tests carried out. National and supranational laser safety rules or draft rules regarding medical surveillance are reviewed. It is generally agreed that personnel should undergo a preemployment examination before starting to work in the vicinity of lasers. During a worker's employment routine examinations for purposes of surveillance are conducted at regular intervals. It is usually recommended that examinations be carried out once a year. Many standards state the intervals between examinations are to be determined by the medical officer responsible taking into account the degree of hazard involved in each case. The American standard, the paper of the World Health Organization and the discussion of lasers in the European List of Occupational Diseases recommended a skin examination. This is also being considered at present in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is reasonable, however, to restrict such examinations to personnel working with high-intensity lasers