If you’re using an IPG fiber laser—such as handheld systems like the LightWELD 1000, 1500, and 2000 series (including XR variants)—the safety requirements are driven by wavelength, power, and application, not the specific model number. This guide focuses on open and semi-open IPG systems (such as welding setups) where safety controls must be actively implemented by the user.
Higher power IPG systems (typically 5 kW and above) are often integrated into enclosed or automated equipment and are outside the scope of this guide.
Final selection of laser safety equipment and controls should be reviewed and approved by your Laser Safety Officer (LSO) in accordance with applicable ANSI Z136 guidelines.
System configuration, operating conditions, and facility layout can significantly impact the level of protection required.
Always confirm the specifications of your specific laser system and review all safety requirements with your Laser Safety Officer (LSO) or with the manufacturer in accordance with applicable ANSI Z136 guidelines.
For a manufacturer-level overview of laser welding safety from IPG, see:
This guide is not a replacement for IPG's documentation
If you’re using an IPG fiber laser for welding LightWELD 1000, 1500, and 2000 series (including XR variants) or open processing, you are typically working with:
Wavelength: ~1060–1080 nm
Power: 1–3 kW (sometimes higher)
System type: Class 4 (open or partially enclosed)
The short answer:
You need 1060-1080 nm-rated eyewear and local containment (barriers or curtains) around the work area.
Full-room enclosure is usually not required—but uncontrolled reflections are the primary risk.
What actually creates risk in these systems
With fiber lasers from IPG Photonics, the danger is not just the beam—it’s how it behaves after hitting metal.
In welding setups:
The direct beam is extremely hazardous, but in most setups it is directionally controlled within the process—focused into the workpiece and confined to a defined weld or cut path. It remains dangerous if misdirected or if control is lost.
The bigger issue is reflected energy:
specular reflections off metal
scattered energy around the weld zone
Laser welding conditions can vary depending on surface conditions and nearby materials.
Laser welding safety eyewear and appropriate engineering controls should always be used when lasers are in operation.
Rayleigh length and beam divergence vary depending on the laser system, wavelength, and focusing optics (zones start and stop depending on each laser in use).
The distances shown are illustrative; actual reflection hazards may extend farther depending on system configuration and laser parameters. The point at which beam intensity begins to follow the inverse-square behavior also varies.
This is why:
Most real-world injuries don’t come from “looking into the beam”
They come from uncontrolled exposure near the process
What you actually need (by priority)
1. Laser Safety Eyewear (non-negotiable)
For 1060–1080 nm:
Select eyewear with sufficient optical density (OD) at the appropriate wavelength for your laser.
This is required at all times during operation
Even if:
you’re “not in the beam path”
or “just nearby”
Note: The laser energy is invisible and although you can't see it, is very dangerous.
Laser safety eyewear should always be worn when lasers are in use.
In many welding applications, users also need protection from visible weld flash and brightness. This is separate from laser protection:
Weld flash reduction does not replace proper laser protection.
Eyewear must always be selected based on its OD rating at the laser wavelength.
There are two common approaches, depending on preference and application:
1) Layered protection (most flexible)
Laser safety eyewear provides the required OD at the approriate wavelength
A separate face shield is used to reduce weld flash and visible brightness
This approach allows:
independent control of laser protection and brightness
better comfort over long periods
flexibility across different tasks
For example, eyewear like the ND:YAG 1060–1080 nm laser safety glasses (127 filter) offers strong laser protection with good visible light transmission (VLT), making it well-suited to be worn underneath a weld-flash face shield when additional brightness reduction is needed.
Eyewear designed to provide both:
laser attenuation (OD protection)
reduced visible brightness (weld flash filtering)
These are often preferred when:
a single solution is desired
mobility and simplicity are priorities
We offer both:
laser safety eyewear designed for high VLT and clarity (ideal for layering under face shields)
and filters that combine laser protection with weld flash reduction in a single lens/face shield
Laser safety eyewear should always be worn when lasers are in use.
Final selection should be reviewed by your Laser Safety Officer (LSO) under ANSI Z136.
2. Containment Around the Process (this is what most people get wrong)
For open welding setups:
You do not need to fully enclose the entire room in most open welding setups, provided appropriate containment and PPE are in place.
You do need to control:
reflections within ~3–10 feet of the weld zone
line-of-sight exposure to others nearby
All personnel within the controlled area should wear appropriate laser safety eyewear, even when barriers or curtains are used. Barriers help limit exposure—but do not replace required PPE.
Typical solutions:
mobile laser safety barriers
fixed curtain systems
For videos and a general guide of our soft wall barrier, soft wall curtains, and hard wall barriers, see here.
These:
block and absorb scattered radiation
prevent exposure to nearby operators
In higher-risk environments—such as higher power systems, highly reflective materials, or where maximum containment is required—collapsible hard wall barriers can be used to provide a higher level of protection and more rigid shielding compared to soft wall systems. This is a determination for your on premise LSO.
3. Viewing (only if required)
If you need direct line-of-sight viewing of the process (e.g., the weld zone) through a barrier or enclosure:
Use rated laser safety windows designed to attenuate the laser wavelength
When you need more than this
You should increase protection if:
You are running higher power (>3kW)
You have highly reflective materials
The laser is operating in a shared workspace
The beam path is not well controlled
When less is usually sufficient
You typically do not need full-room containment if:
you are controlling the immediate weld zone
personnel are wearing proper eyewear
barriers limit exposure to nearby areas
Real-world takeaway
For most IPG fiber laser welding setups:
The goal is not to “contain the laser”
It’s to control the area where energy is actually hazardous
That area is:
concentrated near the interaction point
driven by reflections—not just the beam
Bottom line
If you're using an IPG fiber laser in an open setup:
Wear proper OD-rated eyewear for the relevant wavelength
Contain the process locally with barriers or curtains
Avoid unnecessary full-room enclosure—focus on properly controlling the hazard zone with PPE and containment