Laser Safety Manual - Chapter 04: General Laser Safety Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers

Title

Laser Safety Manual - Chapter 04: General Laser Safety Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers

Table of Contents

  1. Requirements Table
  2. Class 3b Requirements
  3. Class 4 Requirements

Requirements Table

Laser Class and Requirement
Requirement Laser Class 3b Laser Class 4
Warning label X X
Registration with Notification to LSO X X
Warning Sign X X
LSO Notification of Laser Requisition* X X
General Laser Safety Training X X
Laser-Specific Safety Training X X
Laser SOP — X
Controlled Area X X
Laser Key Control — X

— Recommended

X Required

* Notification applies when a laser setup is remodeled significantly whereby the original hazards assessment or SOP is no longer valid.

Class 3b Requirements

  1. Do not aim the laser at an individual's eyes.
  2. Permit only properly trained & authorized personnel to operate the laser.
  3. Enclose as much of the beam path as possible.
  4. Place appropriate beam stops at the end(s) of the useful beam path(s).
  5. Restrict the access of unauthorized personnel; control spectators.
  6. Operate the laser in a controlled area (as defined by the ALU and LSO or in the SOP), unless the beam path is totally enclosed.
  7. Employ a warning light or buzzer to indicate laser operation if appropriate, especially for invisible (UV or IR) lasers.
  8. Locate the plane of the laser beam and associated optical devices well above or below the eye level of observers whenever possible.
  9. Firmly mount the laser to ensure the beam does not stray from the intended path.
  10. Use proper eye protection if eye exposure to the direct beam or a specular reflection is possible.
  11. Do not view the beam or its specular reflection with collecting optics without sufficient eye protection.
  12. Remove all unnecessary reflective surfaces from the area of the beam path.
  13. Should develop SOP for laser operation
  14. Should incorporate key control of a master switch that can terminate beam operations.

Class 4 Requirements

(includes all Class 3b requirements and the following)

  1. Shall develop an SOP for laser operations.
  2. Shall incorporate key control of master switch that can terminate beam operations.
  3. Entryway safety controls shall be designed to allow both rapid egress by laser personnel at all times and admittance to the controlled area under emergency conditions.
  4. Shall provide for and ensure use of proper eye protection for everyone within the controlled area.
  5. Use appropriate shielding between personnel and any beam having sufficient irradiance to pose a serious skin or fire hazard.
  6. Use remote viewing methods where feasible (e.g. video monitoring) to accomplish any necessary viewing of the beam.
  7. Construct non-specular absorbent beam stops of fire resistant material.
  8. Use adequate ventilation and vented enclosures when dealing with excimer lasers due to the presence of toxic gases and fumes.

Back to Chapter Three

Proceed to Chapter Five

100% helpful - 1 review
Print Article