How to Be Safe When Laser Cutting at Home

It’s critical to know how to be safe when laser cutting in your own home. Especially when there are children and inexperienced people around.

Laser cutters were powerful manufacturing tools that have been introduced into our homes, allowing us to create magnificent things.

But just as factories with laser cutters have a list of rules and precautions that are followed, we should do the same in our homes as well.

The workshop has a “DANGER LASER” sign above laser cutter and a ventilation system below.

Know the hazards

Knowing the hazards is important for preventing injuries and protecting you and your family.

Familiarize yourself with your particular machine, read the manual and find the safety information. Follow instructions carefully and consistently refer to them until you are comfortable with the process.

Hazards

Try to have a basic understanding of how hazards can affect people and how they are started. Inform others that will be around your laser cutter about the possible dangers.

The laser – Most laser cutters and engravers are Class 4 Lasers, the highest class, meaning the laser is dangerous.

First of all, you should never look directly at the laser beam when it’s running, especially if there is no protection between the laser and your eye.

Staring directly at the laser cutter can damage your eye. Protect yourself with laser safe windows or glasses.

Secondly, the laser can burn your skin, if a 500mW laser feels hot on the skin, imagine how 5,000-40,000mW would feel.

Do not play with the laser or point it anywhere you shouldn’t.

Fire – The laser on a laser cutter can burn flammable material.

The best way to prevent flames is to avoid cutting flammable material (see next point). Stick to materials that are made for laser cutting/engraving if you’re not confident

Another way to prevent a fire is to add an air assist to your set up. Air assists blow away dust and smoke from the laser, preventing flames and smoke keeping you safe and the laser at full power.

Materials – We made a comprehensive list of every material you should and shouldn’t cut. Not every material can be used and there are some that you shouldn’t use. You shouldn’t cut or engrave metal (unless it’s made specifically for metal),  especially if you don’t have proper ventilation. Which brings us to…

Fumes and Ventilation – As the laser burns away material, it creates fumes. Some fumes are very toxic and need to be avoided.

You can prevent introducing fumes into your home by avoiding materials that produce harmful fumes when cut (see point above). Fumes from plastics are especially toxic and can even be deadly.

If you want to cut materials that produce, non-deadly toxic fumes, you should install a good ventilation system. You should have one anyway to manage the smoke made from lasering most materials.

Laser Safe Glasses

Are normal safety glasses okay?

No, they are not. They will only provide minimal protection, you need laser safety glasses.

Can I use any laser safety glasses?

You should use laser safety glasses for your specific laser. There are some factors that go into choosing safety glasses that will protect your eyes from a laser.

Are cheap laser glasses safe?

Cheap safety glasses are easy to scratch and break. Lasers can penetrate through those impurities and defects. Protect yourself by getting good quality laser safety glasses.

Laser cut/engrave safely with children or pets around

Lot’s of us are bringing industrial machines with a bunch of safety hazards into our home with children and pets. It’s harder to make them understand how to behave safely around the laser.

Keeping others safe means keeping the machine away from them. I would recommend putting your laser cutter in a garage or unused room with a door that closes (and locks preferably).

If your children are old enough and capable, it could beneficial to teach them a little bit about what you’re doing with the laser cutter. Teach them all of your safety procedures and make sure they wear proper safety equipment.

Encouraging them to join you in your projects provides invaluable experience for them.

Signage

Almost every place I’ve been with a laser cutter has had some sort of warning around. Having a couple of signs will help to remind you or any other curious people that there are dangerous tools around them.

Anyone who sees this above a laser cutter surely won’t mess with it.

While it’s not totally necessary, they do make your workshop look a bit cooler.

Conclusion

The best way to stay safe when laser cutter or engraving is to know what ways you can be harmed. Remember and take notes of the hazards and add all of the safety equipment that you need. Keep reminders and warnings around your workspace.

Prevention is the key! But don’t be afraid to experiment as well. Do you have any tips for others about what you do to be safe when laser cutting or engraving?