Voluntary restrictions adopted on laser pointers due to potential to cause eye injuries

13/7/98

Retailers and importers have adopted voluntary restrictions on powerful hand-held laser pointers because of their potential to cause serious eye injuries, Fair Trading Minister Doug Shave announced today.

Mr Shave said considerable concerns about their safety had been raised overseas and in other parts of Australia.

"Fair Trading has approached many WA retailers and wholesale traders who have voluntarily agreed to halt the import and sale of the more powerful laser pointers," he said.

"They deserve to be congratulated for taking this community-minded action. We are also working with other fair trading agencies across Australia in an effort to ensure compliance and safety in the marketplace."

Laser pointers are the size and shape of a pen and can emit a concentrated red or green light beam over a range of up to 1,250m.

They sell for about $50 and are designed for use by teachers, lecturers and presenters to highlight areas on a screen or board. They are categorised between class 1 (weakest) and class 3B, depending on power.

"Laser pointers classified above class two can temporarily or permanently blind a person and that is why we are calling on importers and retailers to only deal with those categorised as class 2 or weaker," Mr Shave said.

In Australia all laser pointers must carry a permanent label with a user-warning and the product's classification. In December last year the US Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning to schools and parents about eye injuries from laser pointers.

"If laser pointers are used safely and never pointed directly at people there should be no problem," Mr Shave said.

"Unfortunately, this advice will not prevent all accidents. In particular, the pointers should never be given to children as toys or left where they can use them."

Media contact: John Clune (08) 9366 0300