Purpose of this Program:

To increase awareness in laser safety

 History

• American National Standard for Safe Use of

Lasers Z136.1-2000 (ANSI Z136.1-2000)
• American National Standard for Safe Use of
Lasers in Education Institutions (ANSI
Z136.5-2000)
 Program Outline

• What is a laser?
• Laser Incidents/Accidents
• Laser hazards – Eye, Skin, Chemical and
Electrical Hazards
• Safety Guidelines/Controls
What is a laser? – Block
Diagram
 What is a laser?
• LASER- Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation
• Laser light differs from ordinary light in 3 ways:
– Monochromatic
– Directional
– Coherent
• Lasers can pose more of a hazard than ordinary light
because the can focus a lot of energy onto a small area
 Laser Accidents

The times when accidents

happen:
• During alignment
• During maintenance
• Under stress or pressure
• When tired
• Failure to pay attention to
work
Laser Accidents by Percentage

Activities

Non beam

In use exposure

Incorrect eyewear

Alignment
 Exposure Incidents

• If the incident causes injury

or could potentially have
caused injury, the person or
persons who have received
an exposure should inform
their supervisor who should
call 9-911 immediately
• University Safety and
Assurances will assist in an
investigation of the accident
Laser Classifications

• Class 1 – Exempt
lasers or laser
systems that cannot,
under normal
operation
conditions, produce
a hazard
• Example: Compact
disc player
 Laser Classifications

• Class 2 – Low power

visible lasers or lasers
systems which, because of
normal human aversion
responses, do not normally
present a hazard, but may
present some potential for
hazard if viewed directly for
extended periods of time
• Example – most alignment
lasers should be Class 2
Laser Classifications

• Class 3a – A laser that

normally would not
produce a hazard if
viewed for only
momentary periods
with the unaided eye.
• Example – HeNe up to
5 mW total power
Laser Classifications

• Class 3b – Lasers or
laser systems that
can produce a
hazard if viewed
directly.
• Example – HeNe
from 5 mW up to
500 mW total power
Laser Classifications

• Class 4 – Lasers that

can produce a hazard
not only from direct
reflection, but also
from diffuse reflection.
In addition such lasers
may produce fire
hazards and skin
hazards
• Example – High power
Argon Ion lasers
 Laser Exposure Limits -- Terms

• MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure)

– The highest laser energy to which the eye
or skin can be exposed for a given laser
• NHZ (Nominal Hazard Zone)
– Area within which the MPE is equal to or
exceeded
 Laser Hazard – Nature of Light

• The output of the laser will help to

determine its interaction with a target.
The greater the power, the more energy
that will be delivered to the target and
the greater the possibility of injury.
Laser Hazard – Eye
 Laser Hazard – Eye

• Both acute and chronic exposure

• Corneal, optical nerve, retinal injury, lens damage
• Vision damage is usually severe and may result in
blindness
• Direct viewing of the laser source and its reflections
should be avoided
• Eye tissues are susceptible to various forms of laser
radiation and should be protected by appropriate
eye protection
 Laser Hazard – Skin

• Burns, skin cancer, and acceleration of skin aging

are possible from exposure to laser radiation
• Chronic exposure can cause increased pigmentation
• Photosensitive reactions may occur
 Laser Hazard – Hazardous Materials

• Reaction induced by lasers can release hazardous

particulate and gaseous products
• Ignition of gases or fumes from the laser
• Engineering controls (i.e. ventilation) should be used
• All hazardous materials must be properly used,
stored and controlled
• Obtain MSDS for all materials
• Wear lab coat, eye protection and gloves
 Laser Hazard – Electrical Hazards

• Lethal electrical
hazards are
particularly present
when high-power
laser systems are
used
• Fire Hazard
 Precautions for all lasers in
Preventing Electrical Shock
• Learn CPR rescue
procedures for high
voltage shock
• Avoid wearing rings,
metallic watchbands and
other metallic objects
• When possible, use only
one hand in working on a
circuit or control device
• Never handle electrical
equipment when hands,
feet or body are wet,
perspiring or when
standing on wet floor
 General Safety Practices While
Working
• Wear appropriate protective eyewear
• Use minimum power/energy required for project
• Enclose beam as much as possible
• Reduce laser output with shutters/attenuators
• Terminate laser beam with beam trap
• Use diffuse reflective screens, remote viewing systems,
etc., during alignment if possible
• Remove unnecessary objects from vicinity of laser
• Locate beam at waist level or below. Keep beam path
away from eye level (sitting or standing)
• Don’t put your body parts (particularly your eyes) in the
beam path!
Great Housekeeping
 Overview of Safety Controls for
Class 3b and 4 lasers

• Registration – Complete on-line form

• Laser Classifications
• Training of operators and personnel working
on or near lasers
• Periodic safety inspections
• Access Restrictions
• Posting and labeling
• Medical Monitoring
• Protective eyewear and clothing
• Administrative/Engineering Controls
Training of operators and personnel
working on or near lasers

• Required for all

Class 3b and 4
users.
• Complete on-line
training course, read
manual, and
complete and
submit on-line exam
 Laser Audits

• Periodic Safety
Inspections
• Laser Audit Form
Access Restrictions

• Only allow trained

individuals, wearing
appropriate personal
protective equipment,
into the Nominal
Hazard Zone
Medical Monitoring

• All Class 3b and 4

laser users must
receive a baseline
eye exam prior to
using lasers and
laser systems
 Access Restriction

• Master Switch – Class 3b

and 4 lasers must have a
master switch that is
controlled by a key or coded
access. Access by key or
code must only be provided
to trained operators
• Interlocked Entry or laser
barrier screen/curtain
• Posting and labeling of
rooms and equipment, to
include a warning light in the
hallway or access entrance
 PPE Control Measures

• Appropriate eyewear
• Eyewear must be for the
appropriate laser
wavelength, attenuate the
beam to safe levels, yet be
comfortable enough to
wear
• Gloves
• Special Clothing
Administrative Safety Practices

• Standard operating
procedures
• Authorized personnel
only in vicinity of laser
(Access Restriction)
• Designate NHZ for
Class 3b and 4 lasers
• Address non-beam
hazards
 Standard Operating Procedures

• All Class 3b and 4 lasers are to have

written Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP). SOP’s will contain the following
information:
– System Information (description, location,
class)
– General Information (equipment owner,
inventory control
– Operating procedures
– Alignment Procedures
 Standard Operating Procedures
(continued)

• Maintenance/services procedures
• Hazards Summary (beam, non-beam)
• The nominal hazard zone (NHZ) for the
above procedures
• Required Control Measures (access
controls, system controls, personnel
controls, emergency instructions)
• Protective eyewear and other personal
protective equipment
Nominal Hazard Zone
 Engineering Safety Practices
• Beam enclosures
whenever practical. This
will significantly reduce
the need for other
engineering or
administrative controls
• Activation warning system
outside the control area
• Window and door barriers
(typically curtains at the
doorways)
• Ventilation
• Panic button
Curtains
 Ventilation

Local or other exhaust ventilation may be needed

depending upon your operation due to vapors or
dusts that may be emitted.
 Panic Button

Panic Button
(remote interlock connector)
Class 4= required
Class 3b= should be used
Laser Safety Signs and Labels
Illuminated Sign
Notice – Laser Alignment/Repair
Class 2 – Caution
Class 3a -- Caution
Class 3a -- Danger
Class 3b -- Danger
 Resource

• Laser Institute of America (LIA)

• Phone: 1.800.34.LASER
• Email: lia@laserinstitute.org
• Web: www.laserinstitute.org
• LIA guide for the selection of laser eye
protection (78 pages)
 For additional information:

Click to view these resources:

• Laser Safety Web Page

• Laser Safety Manual

• UWM Laser Safety Officer

– Phone: 229-5808
 Acknowledgements

Some photos courtesy of Samuel M.

Goldwasser, Drexel University