In addition, users must be expected to follow correct work safety protocol. In research, such as a lab, all bets are off, because beam manipulation is the routine activity rather than a rarity, which is why beam enclosure, beam detection, beam blocks, perimeter guards, good work practices, and eyewear are so critical to reducing risk. Fabrication approaches laser safety somewhere in between these two poles. In industry, laser safety is almost always engineered into the product, whereas in medicine, laser safety is dependent on a checklist system. The LSO is tasked with finding a balance between these two philosophies. However, users cannot eliminate all risk. Evaluate, analyze, and mitigate the hazards.įrom a safety department perspective, all accidents are preventable. OJT training should not have a preset timeframe and can also be augmented by ongoing mentoring.ģ. Documenting the training with a signature of both trainer and trainee will not only protect the institution, but make everyone take the training seriously. Everyone should get an orientation to the laser systems they will be working with, as well as site-specific safety (where reflections come from, what not to touch, etc.). The second and more critical laser safety training is a documented on-the-job training (OJT) or mentoring. An effective training presentation needs to be customized to address laser use at the facility a canned presentation will not suffice. However, duration and quality of such training varies considerably. From a regulatory and standards point of view, all Class 3B or Class 4 users, or those with potential exposure, need a basic awareness training. There are two types of laser safety training. Cover all the bases of laser safety training. Review hazards and see that effective control measures are in place and functionalįor a part-time LSO to be effective, management must be supportive and allow them the time to do their job.Ģ.Assist in laser eyewear selection when eyewear is needed.Make sure laser safety training is relevant to actual laser work and risk.Critical responsibilities of the LSO are: This can include better eyewear, improved detection devices, enclosure options, etc. The best LSO is someone who helps come up with solutions and suggestions to assist the user in their efforts. The LSO is the person any regulatory inspector is going to ask to see and is expected to perform all LSO duties. A laser safety officer (LSO) is a must.Īlthough the vast majority of LSOs work in that role only part time, someone has to bear responsibility for laser safety. So, what are the critical laser safety elements for both safety and compliance?ġ. Wear proper eyewear and respect barriers.To mitigate potential risk, users should: Most facilities focus on these compliance items and leave risk abetment to users. If a lab or company is using Class 3B or Class 4 lasers (those with the potential to cause harm to someone or damage equipment), the compliance requirements are rather straightforward. Laser safety comprises a mixture of compliance and risk awareness. Laser classification: Classĥ00 mW continuous-wave cannot produce greater than 125 mJ in less than 0.25 second It is important that people are educated about the proper use of lasers and associated risks. Visible lasers, especially in the green spectrum, can cause uneasiness and apprehension, even when they emit below the threshold where they might cause injury from glare or flash blindness.
We have to address both real and perceived laser hazards. Thus, laser safety is extremely important to both the developer and user community. Open beam applications such as LIDAR, facial recognition, and retinal scanning are now common, and diode-fiber applications are ever increasing. Power outputs are now at a range never envisioned before, ranging up to 300 kW for industrial and weapon applications. New applications and techniques arise every month in journals and trade publications. The laser has swept across modern society.
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