Safety tips for a newbie please

[Matman4190]

Realll newbie here. You all seem like a great community and I'm excited to get started. I know the importance of safety equipment but I don't know if there are options for my specific applications. I read the sticky threads on the topic but could use some more directed advice. I am working with an RGB laser projector (R:638nm 300mW G:532nm 200mW B:450nm 700mW) I know these aren't HUGE values but safety first. So first of all: what sort of risks do flash from shiny walls pose? Second, what if any, options do I have to feel more comfortable working facing the laser (no intentional direct hits will occur but accidents happen and I want to have something to wear any time I'm dealing with the projector.) Please advise. Thank you all in advance for your time.

 

[AMooMooCow]

Realll newbie here. You all seem like a great community and I'm excited to get started. I know the importance of safety equipment but I don't know if there are options for my specific applications. I read the sticky threads on the topic but could use some more directed advice. I am working with an RGB laser projector (R:638nm 300mW G:532nm 200mW B:450nm 700mW) I know these aren't HUGE values but safety first. So first of all: what sort of risks do flash from shiny walls pose? Second, what if any, options do I have to feel more comfortable working facing the laser (no intentional direct hits will occur but accidents happen and I want to have something to wear any time I'm dealing with the projector.) Please advise. Thank you all in advance for your time.

I haven't set up any shows, but I've been playing with dangerous lasers for 5 years

Shiny walls? Like the paint on the walls is some sort of shiny lacquer, or you're hosting shows in a metal box? If you have any doubts about the walls, stand where the projector would be and use a safe 5mw 635nm or 520nm laser pointer to point all about where you expect the lasers to point. If you see the dot reflecting where people's eyes would be, you should reconsider your venue or paint a matte-white coating over those shiny walls. If you're doing this as a job and have to set up in a school gymnasium and you have those large bricks everywhere with that awful shiny white rubber paint, I'm not really sure what to do; expert counselling is advised

Guid to laser shows
Under Laser Safety, subsection U.S. National Regulations:

One of the variance conditions is that the beams are kept 3 meters (10 feet) above where the audience can stand, and 2.5 meters (8 feet) laterally from where the audience could reach out.

Your best bet is to make sure the programmed beams don't cross anywhere you or an audience or just someone walking by can stand.
However, I advise that since your most powerful beam is 700mw Class 4 450nm and you have 638nm, get one of these Eagle Pair
Edit: no no no, these aren't the safest option. See post #4

 

[Matman4190]

Thank you for your recommendation. So assuming I got those glasses wouldn't I still be at risk from the 532? Is the 200mw from that less of a concern?


As for the walls I am just concerned about glossy paint on a white wall. I wish to do my laser show setup in my home before I get to the venue itself. The venues tend to have dark matte walls but my home walls have some shine to them. I will certainly employ your technique of checking with a low power red. Again I appreciate your time.

 

[AMooMooCow]

Thank you for your recommendation. So assuming I got those glasses wouldn't I still be at risk from the 532? Is the 200mw from that less of a concern?


As for the walls I am just concerned about glossy paint on a white wall. I wish to do my laser show setup in my home before I get to the venue itself. The venues tend to have dark matte walls but my home walls have some shine to them. I will certainly employ your technique of checking with a low power red. Again I appreciate your time.

Yes, you would still be at risk from the green laser. You can't protect yourself fully from RGB setups unless you put a piece of wood in front of your face
The 532nm... Hey, I made a mistake. Actually the green is way more dangerous than the red since DPSS lasers have a very thin beam and much less divergance and not to mention they might leak IR light if they're cheap. Please get THESE instead, you'll be much better off.

Just be sure to be as careful with your own eyes as with someone's eyes who could sue you

 

[Matman4190]

Great!! That is perfect. I'm sure there is significant IR bleed. Half the power might even be in that spectrum. I will program my shows without the red laser and then again with the red and one other and will also get goggles for that combo and that way I'll be covered. Safety has prevailed.