1926.54: Nonionizing Radiation (Lasers)
Employers must use only qualified, trained employees to install, adjust and operate laser equipment and give antilaser eye protection where exposure greater than 5 milliwatts exists. They must post laser warning placards, never aim beams at employees, turn lasers off or use shutters when not needed, and keep exposures within the listed limits.
Key takeaways
- 1926.54 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $2,912 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (9), NH (1), NY (1).
- Most-cited part: 1926.54(d) (12 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.54, "Nonionizing radiation", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It has 15 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1926.54 (15 paragraphs)
(a) Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install, adjust, and operate laser equipment. Open (a)
(b) Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be available and in possession of the operator at all times.
(c) Employees, when working in areas in which a potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts) exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices as specified in subpart E of this part.
(d) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards. Open (d) 12 citations
(e) Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized, or the laser turned off, when laser transmission is not actually required. When the laser is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour, overnight, or at change of shifts, the laser shall be turned off.
(f) Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.
(g) The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.
(h) When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, the operation of laser systems shall be prohibited where practicable; in any event, employees shall be kept out of range of the area of source and target during such weather conditions.
(i) Laser equipment shall bear a label to indicate maximum output.
(j) Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities above: Open (j)
(1) Direct staring: 1 micro-watt per square centimeter;
(2) Incidental observing: 1 milliwatt per square centimeter;
(3) Diffused reflected light: 21⁄2 watts per square centimeter.
(k) Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.
(l) Employees shall not be exposed to microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 12 inspections cited 1926.54 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: VA (9), NH (1), NY (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DPR CONSTRUCTION, INC. | CHESTER, VA | $1,040 |
| DEMATIC CORP. | ROCKVILLE, VA | $1,040 |
| JAMES N. GRAY COMPANY | ROCKVILLE, VA | $832 |
| LEGACY BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC | HUDSON, NH | $0 |
| PREMIER BUILDING & RENOVATIONS CORP. | YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | $0 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.54.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.54(d) 12 citations
- 1926.54(a)
- 1926.54(j)
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Frequently asked questions
Who can operate a laser?
Only qualified and trained employees, who must carry proof of qualification at all times.
When is laser eye protection required?
When there is potential exposure to direct or reflected laser light greater than 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts).
What about bad weather?
In rain, snow, dust or fog, laser operation is prohibited where practicable, and employees must be kept out of range of the source and target area.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.54 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.