Title
Laser Safety Manual - Chapter 04: General Laser Safety Requirements for Class 3b and 4 Lasers
Table of Contents
- Requirements Table
- Class 3b Requirements
- 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* Notification applies when a laser setup is remodeled significantly whereby the original hazards assessment or SOP is no longer valid.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
- Do not aim the laser at an individual's eyes.
- Permit only properly trained & authorized personnel to operate the laser.
- Enclose as much of the beam path as possible.
- Place appropriate beam stops at the end(s) of the useful beam path(s).
- Restrict the access of unauthorized personnel; control spectators.
- 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.
- Employ a warning light or buzzer to indicate laser operation if appropriate, especially for invisible (UV or IR) lasers.
- Locate the plane of the laser beam and associated optical devices well above or below the eye level of observers whenever possible.
- Firmly mount the laser to ensure the beam does not stray from the intended path.
- Use proper eye protection if eye exposure to the direct beam or a specular reflection is possible.
- Do not view the beam or its specular reflection with collecting optics without sufficient eye protection.
- Remove all unnecessary reflective surfaces from the area of the beam path.
- Should develop SOP for laser operation
- Should incorporate key control of a master switch that can terminate beam operations.
Class 4 Requirements
(includes all Class 3b requirements and the following)
- Shall develop an SOP for laser operations.
- Shall incorporate key control of master switch that can terminate beam operations.
- 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.
- Shall provide for and ensure use of proper eye protection for everyone within the controlled area.
- Use appropriate shielding between personnel and any beam having sufficient irradiance to pose a serious skin or fire hazard.
- Use remote viewing methods where feasible (e.g. video monitoring) to accomplish any necessary viewing of the beam.
- Construct non-specular absorbent beam stops of fire resistant material.
- 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