CSULB LASER SAFETY PROGRAM

 

The purpose of the CSULB Laser Safety Program is to ensure that lasers are used in a manner which will protect health, eliminate danger to life and property, and comply with relevant State and Federal regulations.  This Program is based upon the American National Standard for the Safe User of Lasers (ANSI) Z136.1-1993.

 

The Laser Safety Program includes the CSULB Laser Safety Manual, which has been established to inform CSULB personnel of campus policies regarding laser use.  This manual consists of the Laser Institute of America’s “Laser Safety Guide” (included in each Laser Safety Notebook, given to each trained Primary Investigator by the Campus LSO), in addition to the “CSULB Laser Safety Training Document”, summarized below.  The latter document defines the appropriate safety training required for all persons who use or work in the Nominal Hazard Zone of Class 3b or Class4 lasers, and is used to document this training.  The Nominal Hazard Zone is the area where a person not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment could suffer adverse effects from laser radiation. Safety training is also recommended for Class II Laser users.  All laser safety training must effectively communicate to the users the control measures for (including personal protective equipment) and potential hazards of the laser equipment involved.  All staff and faculty responsible for the operation of a laser must ensure that all appropriate personnel (including students) receive the proper level of training prior to the operation of the laser.  This training may be given by the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) upon request or by any Primary Investigator that has been trained by the LSO.  The training of personnel, posting of areas, and operation of the laser(s) must be appropriate to the hazard level of the laser.  This is summarized as follows:

 

1.  Class I Lasers:  Considered non-hazardous. 

 

2.  Class II Lasers:  These are usually Helium-Neon devices with a power output of 1 mW or less.  These "Low-Power" lasers are by definition incapable of causing eye injury within the duration of a blink (aversion response) of 0.25s, and are visible (400-700nm).  Many diode lasers are found in this class.  Two main rules apply: 

 

(1) Do not permit a person to stare at the laser from within the beam, and

(2) Do not point the laser at a person's eye at close range. 

 

These lasers should bear a CAUTION label stating "Do Not Stare Into Beam".

 

3.  Class IIIa Lasers: 

The following rules apply to the most hazardous of these lasers:

 

(1)  Avoid direct eye exposure at all times

(2)  Do not look directly into a laser beam with optical intruments unless an adequate protective filter is present within the beam path.

(3)  Wear proper safety eyewear if there is a chance that the beam or a hazardous specular reflection will expose the eyes. 

These lasers should bear a DANGER label stating "Avoid Direct Eye Exposure". 

 

4.  Class IIIb and IV Lasers:  The following applies to these lasers:

 

SAFETY TRAINING

 

The following training is mandatory for Users and anyone who frequents the "Danger Zone" (any area where injury could result from laser use, including electrical, chemical and thermal injuries):

 

 

CSULB LASER SAFETY TRAINING DOCUMENT

 

 

COLLEGE:  _________________________________                                                                    

 

DEPARTMENT:  _____________________________                                                                  

 

DATE:                                     MEETING CONDUCTED BY:  _______________________                                                                                                                                

SUPERVISOR:  ______________________                                                                                 

 

LASER TYPE:                                  LOCATION:  _________________________________                                             

 

SAFETY TRAINING  CONTENT SUMMARY

 

1. Review the entire publication "Laser Institute of America Laser Safety Guide".  Emphasize the safety procedures for each laser classification (pp. 20-31, "Laser Safety Guide").

 

2.  Review all safety procedures and practices particular to this unit, including emergency shut-off procedures.  Know the location of the main power emergency cut-off switch and when to use it. Discuss the potential physical, electrical and chemical hazards and control of such hazards. Know that the supervisor must be immediately informed of any unusual occurrences or malfunctioning of the unit.

 

3.  Review proper eye protection measures for each class of laser. Emphasize that lasers may not be operated unless appropriate eye protection is worn by all persons who could potentially be exposed to a hazardous beam or it's reflections (pp. 32-34, "Laser Safety Guide").   Circulate sample vendor catalogues and protective eyewear if appropriate.

 

4.  Review the appropriate wording and location of any required signs and labels (per the Laser Institute of America’s “Laser Safety Guide”).  Review the CSULB “Laser Hazards and Emergency Response” poster and ensure that it is posted at the laser site.  State that extra signs and labels are available in the Radiation Safety Office.

 

5.  Review the written protocols and standard operating procedures for all Class 3b and Class 4 lasers at the above location(s).  If none have been written, circulate sample protocols as templates and ensure that a written protocol is forwarded by the Primary Investigator (PI) to the Radiation Safety Office in a timely fashion.  The laser may NOT be operated until a written standard operating procedure has been forwarded to and approved by the Laser Safety Officer.

 

6.  Discuss the potential physical, electrical and chemical hazards (pp. 5-19, "Laser Safety Guide") and control of such hazards (pp. 36-42) of each laser at the above locations(s). 

 

7.  Discuss the responsibilities of the PI (see below).

 

8.  Discuss the responsibilities of  Personnel/Students (see below) who will operate or be in the presence of an operating laser.

 

9.  Discuss emergency procedures (call 911) and available sources of information [Primary Investigator; Project Manager; CSULB Radiation Safety Office, (562) 985-5623; Laser Institute of America, (407) 380-1553]. 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR

 

1.  Must ensure that all laser users receive adequate and appropriate laser safety training, including the issues listed in the above "Safety Training Content Summary", prior to operating the laser(s).  The PI is also responsible for training laser users in the specific operation of individual lasers.

 

2.  Must ensure that a standard operating procedure is on file with the CSULB LSO for every Class 3B or 4 laser under the PI’s control, prior to operating the laser(s).

 

3.  Must ensure that each student has easy access to all protocols/standard operating procedures for the laser(s) to be used, and that each student has read and understood these documents.

 

4.  Must ensure that all appropriate safety procedures are followed, and that all laser safety devices (interlocks etc.) are functioning properly.  Properly rated goggles must be worn if the person could potentially be exposed to a hazardous beam or its reflection.

 

5.  Must supervise or otherwise ensure the adequate supervision of users, visitors and service personnel as appropriate, and provide adequate security to prevent unauthorized use.

 

6.  Must correct and control all laser equipment and laser hazards as appropriate.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PERSONNEL/STUDENTS

 

1.  Must be authorized and trained appropriately to operate a potentially hazardous laser,  or be in the presence of an operating, potentially hazardous laser.

 

2.   Must wear properly rated goggles if exposure to a hazardous beam or its reflection is possible.

 

3.  Must strictly adhere to all appropriate rules and procedures, including all written standard operating procedures for the laser(s).  Each individual may only operate the laser to perform those procedures that have been specifically approved by the PI for the individual in question.

 

4.  Must ensure that they never allow unauthorized visitors into an area where they could potentially be exposed to a hazardous beam or its reflection.  Unauthorized visitors are those who have not completed the CSULB laser safety training and/or who do not have the express permission of the PI to access the area under her/his control. 

 

5.  Must immediately report accidents or potentially dangerous situations to the supervisor and/or safety personnel.

 

 

                                                                                                                                    LaserTrng.3.06

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE CAMPUS LASER SAFETY OFFICER

 

 

AGREEMENT BY MEETING ATTENDEES TO ABIDE BY THE ABOVE LASER SAFETY PROCEDURES AND DESIGNATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

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