Basic Laser Safety Training

1
Basic Laser Safety Training

• United States Naval Academy

Cathy E. Quigley Administrative Laser Safety
Officer (ALSO) USNA Safety Department 410-293-5666
or 5660 quigley_at_usna.edu
2
LASER ASSESSMENT SHEET

• Before you begin. . .
• Left click the link below and select print.
  Complete the assessment as you are viewing the
  Power Point presentation.
• http//www.usna.edu/SafetyOffice/LaserSafet
  yTest.pdf
• To return to the slides click the back button
  and select open or read only.
• After completing the training and assessment
  please forward document the Safety Department
• Yard Mail Stop 18B or fax to X3-4849

3
Introduction

• Basic knowledge, safety procedures and hazards
  associated while working with lasers. This
• presentation is aimed at class III and class
  IV lasers and the laser operators of these
  classes
• Applicable Instructions
• gt ANSI Z136.1-2000 (Industry Standard)
• gt OPNAVINST 5100.27 (Navy Laser Program)
• gt OPNAVINST 5100.23F (NAVOSH Policy)
• gt BUMEDINST 6470.23 (Medical Mgmt)
• gt USNAINST 5100.13C (Local Laser Inst)
• gt USNAINST 5100.11C (Local NAVOSH Inst)

4
Laser Outline

• Elements of the laser program
• Laser Function
• Types of Lasers Classifications
• Biological Effects of Lasers
• Warning Signs and Workplace Controls

5
Elements of the laser program (contd)

• Personal Protective Equipment
• (Beam Hazards)
• NonBeam Hazards
• Authorized Personnel
• Medical Surveillance

6
Elements of the laser program (contd)

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Mishap Reporting
• Annual Audit and Inventory
• Quick Quiz
• Points of Contact

7
Laser Function

• The beginning of the laser was a remarkably
  simple concept that began using rubies and an
  over-sized flash bulb.
• Basic components of a laser
• - Lasing material or medium could be gas
  (HeNe), liquid, solid (ruby) or semi-conductor
  (diode).
• Excitation mechanism or energy source can be a
  flash bulb, arc, another laser or electricity.
• Optical cavity nearly sealed cylinder that uses
  mirrors to collect, concentrate and produce a
  coherent beam.

8
Types of Lasers

• ANSI Laser Classifications
• The laser category is based on the power and
  physical nature of the laser beam.
• Class I Visible laser that under normal
  operating conditions does not pose a hazard.
• Class II Low power visible laser, which because
  of the normal human averse response to light
  normally does not pose a hazard. May cause
  damage if viewed directly and for prolonged
  periods lt1.0 mW.

9
Types of Lasers (contd)

• Class IIIa Visible medium power laser with a
  power density between 1.0 and 5.0 mW. Hazard
  potential when using binoculars or other
  collecting objects.
• Class IIIb Slightly higher powered
  invisible laser yet in the
  ultraviolet
• (180 nm 400 nm) and near infrared
• (700 nm 1400 nm) regions of the
• spectrum 5.0 mW to 500 mW.
• Class IV High power laser in excess of 500 mW.
  Laser is capable of causing injury from direct,
  reflected or even diffuse reflections.

10
Biological Effects(a.k.a. Potential Hazards)

• Major laser hazard impact on the eyes however,
  the more powerful lasers (class IIIb and class
  IV) can affect other biological systems.
• Even incidental exposure to a class IV laser can
  cause serious skin burns and retinal damage
  (causing possible cataracts depending on the type
  of laser and length of exposure).

11
Biological Effects (contd)

• Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
• - The level of laser radiation to which a person
  can be exposed without hazardous effects or
  adverse biological changes in the eyes or skin.
• Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD)
• - The distance from the laser where the beam is
  not expected to exceed the MPE.

12
Warning Signs and Workplace Controls

• Laser labels All lasers must be labeled it
  must provide the class, power and wavelength of
  the laser.
• Area warning signs
• Areas where lasers are used must be posted.
• CAUTION signs and labels for class I through
  IIIa
• DANGER signs and labels for class IIIb and IV

13
Warning Signs and WorkplaceControls (contd)

• Interlock system
• - The room containing the laser must be
  interlocked with the laser system thus the laser
  cannot operate with the door open.
• - A light system will also illuminate when the
  interlock system is operational green (safe),
  yellow (caution), red (laser in use)

14
Warning Signs and Workplace Controls (contd)

• Eliminating beam reflections
• - Whenever possible remove all reflective
  materials from within the NOHD and preferably
  from the room.
• - Remove mirrors and other brightly polished
• objects from the room also avoid glossy paints
  and finishes.
• - Remove all jewelry including watches.
• - Use non-reflective materials and supplies.

15
Warning Signs and Workplace Controls (contd)

• Beam stops
• - specially designed laser barriers or
  curtains which can withstand either
  direct and/or
  diffusely scattered beams
• - flammability is an important consideration
  the material cannot support
  combustion or be consumed by flames during
  and at the termination of the laser
• - also ensure decomposition of the products
• does not create a new hazard

16
Warning Signs and Workplace Controls (contd)

• a class IIIb should be provided with a
  permanently attached beam stop or attenuator
• a class IV laser shall be provided with a
  permanently attached beam stop or attenuator

17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Laser eyewear (protect from beam hazard)
• - Essential equipment for personal protection
  reduces the energy that reaches the eye to below
  the MPE (maximum permissible exposure level).
• - Optical density (OD) Is a measure of how
  much light or more specifically energy (visible
  and invisible) is filtered out by the lens. A
  higher number means that more energy is filtered
  out providing a greater level of protection.

18
Personal Protective Equipment (contd)

• Laser glasses or goggles
• - Mandatory use with all procedures.
• - Laser specific (i.e. power wavelength
  specific). They may not work with other types of
  lasers.
• - Check laser goggles/glasses periodically for
  cracks, scratches, pitting dispose of eyewear
  if found to be defective
• - Handle laser eyewear carefully replacements
  are expensive

19
Personal Protective Equipment (contd)

• Skin Protection
• - appropriate gloves and/or clothing is
  sufficient for
• lasers requiring skin protection
• - sunscreen (wipes off or comes off with sweat)
  is not
• recommended for UV systems
• for extremely high-powered lasers, there is no
• protection available for direct exposure
• inaccessibility is the only answer

20
Non-beam Hazards

• Chemical
• - laser generated air
• contaminants LGAC
• - compressed gases
• - dyes and solvents
• Biological
• - LGAC
• small pieces of viral products,
• blood, tissue and bacteria that
• are vaporized by the procedure

21
Non-beam Hazards (contd)

• Physical (non-beam)
• - Flammable chemicals/solvents
• - Collateral radiation (electronic
• product radiation from operation)
• - Electrical hazards and controls
• (shock, electrocution)
• - Fire hazards and controls
• - Explosion and controls
• - Plasma radiation (aka plume
• radiation)

22

• Lasers can be high voltage devices!
• Electrical
• - Disconnect the power source to the
• laser before performing any work or
• opening the housing.
• - Use Lockout/Tagout
• procedures when
• performing maintenance.
• - Before providing power to the laser
• make sure the
• area is DRY and the
• electrical cord is in good
• condition.

23
Authorized Personnel

• Laser Operator (s)
• Midshipmen (class instruction, projects)
• Midshipmen working as laser operators on
  special projects (Trident, etc.) will need
  documented training by designated Professor -
  laser operator
• Maintenance personnel (maintenance performed by
  the designated laser operator in many cases)
• Spectators (prior approval by ALSO required)

24
Medical Surveillance

• To establish a baseline of visual acuity and
  ocular health.
• For whom
• - All class IIIb and class IV laser operators,
  anyone assisting
• maintenance personnel and any individual (as
  part of their job) who may be exposed to laser
  radiation.
• Whats involved
• - Visual acuity and fundoscopic
• examination of your eyes along with a very brief
  medical history.

25
Medical Surveillance (contd)

• Where to go
• - A two step process involving both the
  Occupational Health (X3-2009) and Optometry
  Clinics (X3-3617). The process begins with an
  interview and medical history in Occupational
  Health and ends with an eye exam in Optometry
• How often
• - Currently the Navy requires a baseline and
  termination exam. Also, an exam immediately
  following any laser mishap

26
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (must be
posted on the outside of the door where the
laser(s) are operationally ready)

• Laser Specific
• Guidelines for Preparing a Standard Operating
  Procedure (SOP)/Operators Checklist for Laser
  Operations
• These guidelines are intended to assist Laser
  Personnel in preparing SOP/Operators Checklist
  for Laser Operations. This information applies
  to Class IIIb or IV lasers only. No SOP is
  required for other class lasers. All laser
  operators must review laser SOPs annually and
  forward a copy to the Administrative Laser Safety
  Officer (ALSO).

27

• SOP GUIDELINES
• 1. Introduction
• Location of laser (building and
• room number)
• Description of laser authorized laser
• and the normal operations
• - Purpose or application of beam
• - ANSI Z136.1 classifications
• Other applicable information as
• required
• Review annually and submit a copy of
• the SOP(s) of the laser(s) under your
• responsibility

28
SOP GUIDELINES (contd)

• 2. Hazards
• - Identification of laser hazards (beam)
• Identification of associated hazards
• (non-beam)
• - Authorized hazardous materials allowed and
  conditions permitting use, including personal
  protective equipment (PPE), firefighting
  equipment, ventilation requirements, storage
  containers, allowed amounts and emergency
  response procedures.

29

• SOP GUIDELINES (contd)
• 3. Controls
• Access controls (entry restrictions, door
• interlocks, signs, signals, etc.)
• Beam controls (activation of key interlock,
• enclosures, shutters, beam dumps, types
• of beam stops, area clearance procedures
• etc.)
• - Electrical controls (power supply
• indicator lights, high voltage signs, etc.)
• - Eye protection required (type of eye
• protection approved, wavelength
• and optical density, etc.)
• Spectator controls if authorized (PPE, etc.)
• Conditions for unattended operation if
• permitted by LSSO
• Other controls as required (i.e., no smoking,
• eating or drinking)

30
SOP GUIDELINES (contd)
4. Operating Procedures - Initial preparation
of laboratory environment (key position,
warning lights on, door interlocks activated,
identification of personnel present, PPE
issued, etc.) - Personnel protection (isolation
barriers in place, eye protection donned) -
Alignment procedures - Target preparations - Shut
down procedures
31
SOP GUIDELINES (contd)

• 5. Maintenance Procedures
• - Authorized personnel
• - Phone numbers of authorized personnel
• - Shutdown procedures in place
• - Lockout/Tagout implementation
• 6. Emergency Procedures
• Potential emergencies and corresponding
• procedures
• Specific rescue and/or evacuation
• procedures
• Emergency phone numbers (laser operator,
• Laser Safety Officer, fire, ambulance, etc.)

32
SOP GUIDELINES (contd)

• 7. Training
• Indoctrination for authorized laser
• personnel (prior to operating a laser
• authorized midshipmen working on a
• project must be trained by the Professor
• and the documentation must be
• submitted to the Laser Safety Officer)
• Indoctrination for authorized incidental
• laser personnel
• - Briefing for authorized spectators

33
Mishap Reporting

• Call X3-3333 for any personnel injured directly
  or indirectly by lasers. Individual will be
  followed up jointly by Occupational Health and
  Optometry
• Report all mishaps and near misses (both beam and
  non-beam related) as soon as possible to both the
  Safety Manager (X3-5660) and the ALSO (X3-5666).
• A mishap report will need to be generated by the
  injured individuals department and forwarded to
  the Safety Manager and ALSO.
• This mishap report form can be obtained at the
  following website www.usna.edu/SafetyOffice or
  by contacting the Safety Department on X3-5660.

34
Annual Audit Inventory Reporting

• An annual review and inventory will be conducted
  to determine the effectiveness and compliance of
  the USNA Laser Program
• The ALSO and Safety Office will conduct the
  review and inventory.
• An inventory of all class IIIb and class IV
  lasers and will be forwarded upon request to
  BUMED by 31 August of every year.

35
Points of Contact (POC)

• ALSO - CATHY QUIGLEY
• (X3-5666 or
• X3-5660)
• Safety - STEVE AGRIESTI, (Mgr)
• (X3-5660)

36
Quick Quiz Feedback(click on black area of
screen for each answer to appear)

• 1. b
• 2. d
• 3. d
• 4. b
• 5. c
• 6. a

• 7. b
• 8. b
• 9. a
• 10. d
• 11. b
• 12. c
• 13. a

37
The USNA Safety Department will assist laser
operators in procuring Personnel Protective
Equipmentfor use with their lasers

• Please contact the ALSO or the Safety Manager
• for assistance