LASER SAFETY GUIDE

PREFACE

The Laser Safety Manual was prepared by the Laser Safety Officer as the official guide to the safe use of Class 3B and 4 lasers at Indiana University – Bloomington (IUB). The manual presents information on the policies, procedures, and practices that must be understood and implemented to ensure that lasers are operated safely and in compliance with existing regulatory requirements and national standards.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The IUB Laser Safety Program is administered through the IUB Radiation Safety Office. All questions and concerns regarding laser safety should be addressed to:

Laser Safety Officer …………………………………….. 855-3230

Radiation Safety Office ………………………………… 855-9928

For assistance after hours, contact:

IU Police ……………………………………………….… 855-4111

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE …………………………………………………………………........ i

CONTACT INFORMATION …………………………………………………… ii

1.0 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………. 1

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES ……………………………………………………… 1

2.1 Laser Safety Officer ………………………………………………. 1

2.2 Department Chair …………………………………………………. 2

2.3 Principal Investigator ……………………………………………… 2

2.4 Laser User …………………………………………………………. 2

3.0 TRAINING …………………………………………………………………. 3

4.0 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ….…………………………………………….. 3

5.0 LASER HAZARD CONTROL MEASURES ……………………………. 3

5.1 Engineering Controls – All Classes …………………………….. 4

5.2 Engineering Controls – Class 3B and 4 ………………………… 4

5.3 Additional Engineering Controls – Class 4 …………………….. 4

5.4 Administrative and Procedural Controls – Class 3B and 4 …… 5

5.5 Protective Equipment …………………………………………….. 5

6.0 WARNING SIGNS ………………………………………………………. 5

APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………….. 7

Appendix A – Laser Hazard Training Guide

Appendix B – ANSI Tables

Appendix C – Forms LS-1 and LS-2

1.0 INTRODUCTION

It is the policy of Indiana University – Bloomington (IUB) to support the use of lasers for purposes of research and teaching. At the same time, the university is committed to ensuring the safety of students, staff, and faculty who work with, or in the vicinity of, these devices. Toward this end, requirements for the safe use of lasers have been adopted as part of a campus laser safety program. These requirements are derived from the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1), which should be consulted directly for more detailed or specific information (a copy of the ANSI standard is available in the Radiation Safety Office, Jordan Hall, room 071 or can be obtained at: http://ansi.org/).

This manual describes the various components of the IUB laser safety program and the specific requirements that must be observed by all users of Class 3B or 4 lasers on the IUB campus. In addition, general information on lasers and their associated hazards is included as a means of providing a portion of the training required for laser users (see Appendix A). For questions regarding laser safety, contact the Laser Safety Officer at 5-3230.

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

In order to ensure the implementation of the requirements of the campus laser safety program, the following responsibilities are designated:

2.1 Laser Safety Officer

A staff professional within the campus Radiation Safety Office shall be designated as the Laser Safety Officer and shall:

· Maintain an inventory of all Class 3B and 4 lasers at IUB.

· Review and communicate changes in laser safety requirements through periodic updates to the Laser Safety Manual.

· Provide assistance in evaluating and controlling laser hazards.

· Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with laser safety requirements.

· Ensure that appropriate laser safety training has been provided.

2.2 Department Chair

The Chair of each academic department is responsible for the safety of all individuals working in the department’s facilities. The Chair fulfills this responsibility by ensuring that all departmental faculty members understand and take seriously their roles in implementing campus safety programs.

2.3 Principal Investigator

Each Principal Investigator whose research involves the use of a Class 3B or 4 laser shall:

· Register each laser with the Laser Safety Officer by completing and submitting Form LS-1 (see Appendix C).

· Restrict access to lasers to personnel who have completed training requirements described in Form LS-2 (see Appendix C).

· Ensure that the laser is operated safely and in accordance with all university requirements as detailed in the Laser Safety Manual.

· Develop, for each laser, a written standard operating procedure that incorporates “specific” safety considerations and provide training to each laser user on these procedures.

· Provide (and require the use of) appropriate eye protection for all laser users during beam alignment and other high risk operations.

2.4 Laser User

Each individual who operates a Class 3B or 4 laser shall:

· Attend a Laser Safety Orientation by the LSO, read the Laser Safety Manual, and complete specific training provided by the Principal Investigator before operating the laser.

· Operate the laser safely and in accordance with all requirements contained in the Laser Safety Manual.

· Notify the Laser Safety Officer of any conditions that could compromise safety or compliance with university requirements.

3.0 TRAINING

Prior to use of a Class 3B or 4 laser at Indiana University – Bloomington, an individual must complete sufficient and appropriate training to ensure the safe use of this device. This manual, including the Laser Hazard Training Guide contained as Appendix A, form an essential component of this training. The information contained in this Manual and Training Guide is summarized in a Laser Safety Orientation provided periodically by the Laser Safety Officer. However, additional training, specific to the particular laser and use, must be provided by the Principal Investigator. Each laser user’s training must be documented by submission of a completed Form LS-2 to the Laser Safety Officer.

4.0 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

In the event of a laser exposure incident that involves injury to the eye or skin, student laser users should contact (and arrange for transport to) the Student Health Center. Non-student laser users should go to Prompt Care. As soon as feasible, the Laser Safety Officer should be notified of the accident.

5.0 LASER HAZARD CONTROL MEASURES

Indiana University – Bloomington has adopted as requirements the recommendations of ANSI Z136.1 for hazard control measures for lasers. The ANSI standard specifies various engineering controls, administrative and procedural controls, and protective equipment for lasers and laser systems according to their hazard class. The intent of these controls and equipment is to ensure that the exposure of individuals who work with lasers is at or below the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE). Engineering controls typically involve certain physical features or operating characteristics that can be designed into the laser system to ensure safety. Administrative and procedural controls include a wide range of measures such as the development and observance of standard operating procedures and requirements for user training and education. Protective equipment includes both personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear and protective barriers or curtains that surround the laser system. The ANSI standard strongly recommends that engineering control measures be given first priority and that administrative and procedural controls as well as use of protective equipment be employed only as supplemental measures when engineering controls are either impractical or inadequate.

5.1 Engineering Controls - All Classes

A protective housing with appropriate warning label shall be provided and utilized for all lasers except for certain applications, such as in research and development, where operation of the laser without a housing is necessary.

5.2 Engineering Controls - Class 3B and 4

1. A safety interlock shall be provided for any portion of the protective housing which, by design, can be removed during normal operation.

2. Service access panels permitting direct access to laser radiation shall be interlocked or shall require a tool for removal.

3. A key-actuated master interlock shall be provided for system operation.

4. All viewing portals and display screens included as an integral part of the laser system shall incorporate a suitable means (such as interlocks, filters, attenuators) to maintain the laser radiation for all operating conditions at or below the MPE.

5. The beam should be enclosed to the extent possible for the specific application. Where this is not possible, a Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ) with appropriate control measures shall be established and observed.

6. A permanently attached beam stop, capable of reducing the laser radiation to levels below the applicable (MPE) shall be provided at the laser exit port.

7. A warning light or alarm, electrically interfaced to the power supply, shall indicate laser start-up and operation.

5.3 Additional Engineering Controls - Class 4

1. In situations where the beam is not completely enclosed, operation shall occur only in a light-tight area with interlocked entrances, remote controls, and "panic button" for emergency deactivation of the system.

2. Beam stops shall consist of diffuse-reflecting, fire resistant materials.

3. Adequate ventilation of the operation area shall be provided.

5.4 Administrative and Procedural Controls - Class 3B and 4

1. Written standard procedures for operation, service, and maintenance of the laser system shall be developed and observed.

2. All individuals who will operate or service the laser system shall be provided with training which includes information on the potential hazards of the system and the appropriate controls to be utilized in minimizing these hazards.

3. All entrances to areas with laser systems shall be posted with appropriate warning signs (see Section 6.0 of this manual)

5.5 Protective Equipment

1. Eye protection devices which are specifically designed for protection against radiation from Class 3B and 4 lasers shall be provided to and worn by laser users when engineering or other procedural and administrative controls are inadequate to eliminate potential exposure in excess of the applicable MPE (see Table 3 in the Appendix B for selection criteria).

2. Facility windows that are located within the NHZ of a Class 3B or 4 laser shall be provided with appropriate filter, blocking barrier, or screen that reduces any transmitted laser radiation to levels below the applicable MPE level.

3. A barrier, screen, or curtain that can block or filter the laser beam at the entryway to the NHZ shall be used to prevent laser light from exiting the area at levels above the applicable MPE.

6.0 WARNING SIGNS

Each entrance to an IUB facility that contains a Class 3B or 4 laser shall be posted with an appropriate laser warning sign. ANSI Z136.1 recommends that signs and labels conform to a standard design, format, and content. In general, the following information should be included:

1. At position 1 above the tail of the sunburst, special precautionary instructions or protective action such as: Laser Protective Eyewear Required; Invisible Laser Radiation; Knock Before Entering; Do Not Enter When Light is On; Restricted Area

Alternatively, position 1 above the tail of the sunburst can indicate special precautionary instructions or protective actions required by the reader such as:

A. For Class 2 and Class 3R lasers and laser systems where the accessible irradiance does not exceed the appropriate MPE based upon a 0.25 second exposure; Laser Radiation - Do not Stare into Beam or View with Optical Instruments.

B. For all other Class 3R lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Direct Eye Exposure.

C. For all Class 3B lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Direct Exposure to Beam.

D. For Class 4 lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Eye or Skin Exposure to Direct or Scattered Radiation.

2. At position 2 below the tail of the sunburst, the type of laser (Ruby, Helium-Neon, Nd -YAG, etc.), or the emitted wavelength, pulse duration (if appropriate), and maximum output.

3. At position 3, the class of the laser or laser system.

Figure 1. Sample Warning Sign for Certain Class 3B Lasers

and for Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers

APPENDICES

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LASER SAFETY MANUAL