Laser safety officer

D. C. Winburn, Practical Laser Safely, 2d ed., Dekker, New York (1990). Contains ANSI Z136.1 classification scheme and a critique of this from the standpoint of a laser safety officer with much experience. 

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. 

Many larger institutions have a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) who has been assigned the duty of reviewing the safety measures for using lasers in that institution. If your institution has an LSO, you should establish a working relationship with this person and learn as much as possible about safety measures. The LSO can assist you in the proper selection of laser safety glasses or goggles. 

Lasers are classified into five classes (1, 2, 3a, 3b and 4) in ascending size of power output. Classes 1 and 2 are relatively low hazard and only emit light In the visible band. Classes 3a, 3b and 4 are more hazardous and the appointment of a laser safety officer Is recommended. All lasers should carry information stating their class and any precautions required during use. 

A new laser was set up in a laboratory. In preparation the laboratory personnel gathered three pairs of protective eyewear for working with lasers. One of the personnel noticed that one pair looked different from the others. The Laser Safety Officer (LSO) was called upon to evaluate the eyewear for protection against the new laser - the project was put on hold while this was done. The LSO found that this particular pair of eyewear did not protect again the wavelength of the new laser. It was pointed out that while laser lens come in various colors depending on the filter media, that lens color alone should never be used to evaluate protection and further verification of the adequacy of the lens is needed. 

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. 

Equipment used on site must be Class 1 or Class 2 equipment only (the appointment of a Laser Safety Officer is required v/here higher-powered equipment is used). 

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. 

The OPCW Health and Safety Office will give attention not only to chemical hazards, but to any hazard which a working environment may present to OPCW persoimel. The dangers of explosives in working areas, including unexploded ordnance, may be a particular hazard to OPCW personnel, and must receive attention in the health and safety plan for any activity. Attention will also be given to aspects such as radiation, noise, dust, mechanical, electrical and environmental hazards, the use of pressure vessels and lasers, etc. 

See Laser System Safety Officer (LSSO) for additional related information. 

Laser radiation, visible or invisible, can cause severe damage to the eyes and skin. Take proper precautions to prevent exposure to direct and reflected beams. Always follow manufacturers safety guidelines and consult the local safety office. For more detailed information, see caution below. 

Besides phthalocyanine pigments developed for office copiers, new polymorph materials for laser printer utilization have been prepared. These materials, whose absorption characteristics were extended to the near-infrared region, were prepared by vacuum sublimation techniques. Recently, for safety reasons and to reduce the cost of production, solvent-pigment interactions have received great attention [41]. 

Environment - Depends heavily on the use of the part(s) involved (concept model or e.g., individual customized product) - New developments offer office friendly systems Safety equipment necessary because of laser technology... 

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