Controls laser safety

Laser safety officer—Person with authority to monitor and enforce measures to control laser hazards and effect the knowledgeable evaluation and control of laser hazards. 

Administrative and procedural controls are standard operating procedures, alignment procedures, limitations on spectators, and protective equipment. Protective equipment for laser safety generally means eye protection in the form of goggles or spectacles, clothing, barriers, and other devices designed for laser protection. 

Avoiding inadvertent exposure to the laser beam is an essential part of laser safety. Wherever possible, the laser optical path should be horizontal and well below eye level and ideally the beam path should be fully or at least partially enclosed. A beam dump should be inserted to terminate the beam path at some appropriate point and should be made from a material capable of absorbing the full intensity of the laser beam. AU work with class 3B and four lasers should be carried out in a designated laser room, which should be clearly identified with a suitable warning notice and separate from the main laboratory. Lasers may also be required to have beam shutters or key-controlled interlocks to prevent operation if the laser casing or room door is open. 

Class 3 lasers can emit any wavelength of light which cannot produce a reflection hazard imless it is focused through some sort of lens or viewed for an extended period. This class is not considered a skin or fire hazard. However, since the beam can be hazardous there must be controls to prevent exposure. Class 3B lasers are hazardous and are subject to more controls including a requirement for a Laser Safety Officer. 

The major controls applicable to lasers used in semiconductor manufacturing are listed in Table 5. A detailed explanation of these precautions and others are contained in reference, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Z136.1-1993, American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers.pl] Most laser safety programs within the U.S. semiconductor industry are based on this standard. 

Table 5. Key Laser Safety Controls by Laser Class (Summarized from Ref. 21)...

This standard provides information on how to classify lasers for safety, laser safety calculations and measurements, and laser hazard control measures. The standard also addresses requirements for laser safety officers (LSOs) and laser safety committees. The standard specifies that design of signs and labels be in accordance with ANSI Z535 series of standards for accident-preventing signs. 

This standard provides guidance for optical measurements associated with laser safety requirements. The information contained in this document will help users who conduct hazard evaluations and ensure the use of appropriate control measures. It contains clearly written definitions, examples, and other practical information for manufacturers, LSOs, technicians, and other trained laser users. 

The four laser hazard classifications determine the required extent of radiation safety controls. These range from Class 1 lasers that are safe for direct beam viewing under most conditions to Class 4 lasers that require the strictest of controls. Laser product classification pertains to intended use only. When a laser product is disassembled for maintenance, and pro-... 

LSSO refers to personnel functioning as a laser safety authority on a Navy program. The LSSO has authority to monitor, evaluate, and enforce the control of laser hazards. The LSSO must have successfully completed approved laser safety courses. 

Noise control Radiation safety program Lasers... 

Just as lasers offer the physician a certain level of control and safety, TCA peels have evolved in this direction as well. There have been a number of modified TCA peel combinations that were developed in an attempt to obtain more consistent results while giving the physician more control over the peel. The most common variations are Monheit s Jessner-TCA peel, Coleman s glycolic acid-TCA peel, Obagi s blue peel. 

Analyzer safety There are several potential safety hazards, and the source is one — providing localized temperatures in the range of 1100—1500 K. The laser and its power supply, which is a potential spark hazard, are other examples. Methods for thermal isolation and instrument purging can address the source issues. The controlled discharging of any charge within the capacitance circuitry of the laser power supply addresses the spark hazard issue. 

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