Safety Disclaimer

LaserEngraveHQ publishes equipment reviews and buying guides. Nothing on this site is safety training, and nothing here replaces the manufacturer’s manual or qualified instruction.

Laser engravers, laser cutters and CNC routers are hazardous tools. The content here is general information to help you choose equipment. Read and follow the manual for every machine you use.

The main laser hazards

• Eye injury. Most hobby diode, CO2 and fiber machines are Class 4 lasers. Direct or reflected beams can cause permanent eye damage in an instant, for you and for anyone else in the room. Wear safety glasses rated with an optical density (OD) for the exact wavelength of your laser, such as about 450 nm for blue diodes, 1064 nm for fiber and 10,600 nm for CO2. Tinted sunglasses and the orange shield on an open-frame machine are not a substitute unless they carry that rating.
• Fire. Lasers work by burning material. Never leave a running laser unattended, keep a fire extinguisher suitable for the materials within reach, keep the bed clean of debris, and use air assist to reduce flare-ups.
• Fumes and smoke. Engraving and cutting release smoke, fine particles and gases. Vent the exhaust outdoors or use a fume extractor with suitable filtration, and keep the machine in a space with fresh air.
• Hazardous materials. Never laser PVC, vinyl, most faux leather, polycarbonate or ABS. Burning PVC releases chlorine compounds such as hydrogen chloride, and ABS can release hydrogen cyanide. See our material guide for the full list.
• Children and pets. Open-frame lasers expose the beam. Around children and pets, use a fully enclosed machine or an enclosure with a filtered window and a lid interlock.

The main CNC hazards

• Wear eye protection and hearing protection: routers and spindles throw chips and run loud.
• Use dust collection. Wood dust and MDF dust are hazardous to breathe.
• Clamp or screw down the workpiece securely and keep hands clear of the bit while it is moving.

Authoritative sources

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health: Laser Products and Instruments
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Laser Hazards

Ratings and compliance

Where we mention a laser class, FDA compliance, an electrical listing such as UL or ETL, or an optical density rating for glasses, we report what the manufacturer or listing states. We do not verify these independently. Check the label on the product itself before you rely on it.

Your responsibility

You use this information at your own risk. LaserEngraveHQ accepts no liability for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use of any product discussed on this site, or from reliance on anything published here. In an emergency, call 911.