Hang this poster beside the laser cutter, so the Do and Never lists are in front of whoever starts a job.
What is on the poster
Do
- Check that every cover is in place and the interlocks work before every job.
- Cut only material the manufacturer approves, with its safety data sheet in hand.
- Start the exhaust and check the filter before you start the cut.
- Stay with the machine while it cuts, and put out a flare-up before it spreads.
- Stop and tell your supervisor if the exhaust fails or the filter is clogged.
- Empty the cutting table every day: debris in it is tinder.
- Wipe the machine down and clean the lens weekly.
Never
- Bypass or disable an interlock or any safety feature.
- Run it with a cover off: the beam inside is Class 3B or 4 and it blinds and burns.
- Look into the beam.
- Cut a material that is not approved: it can burn or make toxic fumes.
- Leave it cutting unattended.
- Run it with the exhaust down or the filter clogged.
The cutter is safe only as a closed, interlocked box. Every rule above keeps it one.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Laser Cutters module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it on the wall beside the laser cutter, at eye level.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Laser Cutters module.
Learn more
The Laser Cutters module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- ANSI Z136.1, Safe Use of Lasers – Laser Institute of America (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- Laser Cutter Safety – University of Washington Environmental Health and Safety (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- Laser Safety Ratings – Epilog Laser (reviewed September 30, 2026)
Poster SSP-0020, Rev. 1, September 2026.
