Basic Laser Safety Training class IIIb and class IV

1
Basic LaserSafety Training (class IIIb and
class IV)

• 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
L.A.S.E.R. is the acronym for

• LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF
  RADIATION

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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/files/LaserSafety
  Test.pdf
• To return to the slides click the back button
  and select open or read only.
• After reviewing the training and completing the
  FY04 Evaluation please forward it to the Safety
  Department
• Yard Mail Stop 18B or fax to X3-4849

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Introduction

• Basic knowledge, safety procedures and hazards
  associated while working with lasers. This
• presentation on lasers is aimed at class IIIb
  and class IV laser operators.
• Applicable Instructions
• gt ANSI Z136.1-2000 (Industry Standard)
• gt OPNAVINST 5100.27A (Navy Laser Inst)
• 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)

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Laser Outline

• Elements of the laser program
• Laser Terms ( . . .just a few)
• About Lasers
• Types of Lasers Classifications
• Biological Effects of Lasers
• Warning Signs and Workplace Controls

6
Elements of the laser program (contd)

• Beam Hazards
• Non-Beam Hazards
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Authorized Personnel
• Medical Surveillance

7
Elements of the laser program (contd)

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

8
a few laser terms

• should understood as advisory
• shall understood as mandatory
• diffuse reflection change of the spatial
  distribution of a beam of radiation when it is
  reflected in many directions by a surface or by a
  medium
• specular reflection a mirror-like reflection
  (may be nearly as harmful as direct exposure to
  the beam
• continuous wave laser a laser operating with a
  continuous output for a period gt 0.25 s
• pulsed laser delivers its energy in the form of
  a single pulse or a train of pulses (duration of
  pulse lt 0.25 s)
• Q-switched laser - emits short (approx 10-250
  ns) , high-power pulses by means of a Q-switch
  (device for producing very short intense laser
  pulses by enhancing the storage and dumping of
  electronic energy in and out of the lasing
  medium, respectively
• collecting optics lenses or optical instruments
  having magnification and thereby producing an
  increase in energy or power density (i.e.
  binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, loupes)

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About Lasers

• The idea of the laser was kicked off by Al
  Einstein in the early 1900s. Serious work on
  laser applications began in the 1940s and 50s.
  The first true laser came about in 1961.
• 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.

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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 does not exceed 1.0 mW.

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Types of Lasers (contd)

• Class IIIa Visible medium power laser with a
  power density between 1.0mW and 5.0mW. 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 lt 0.5W.
• Class IV High power laser in excess of 0.5W.
  Laser is capable of causing injury from direct,
  reflected or even diffuse reflections.

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

• A significant laser injury means damage to 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).

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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.
• For most of you it means the room where the
  laser is located is considered inside the MPE
  area.
• Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD)
• the distance from the laser where the beam is
• not expected to exceed the MPE.

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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
  class IIIa
• DANGER signs and labels for class IIIb and IV
• (also, some class IIIa lasers)

15
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)

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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.

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Warning Signs and Workplace Controls (contd)

• Beam stops limits the laser beam penetration
  for a specific exposure time. (It is located at
  a distance from the laser so as not to exceed the
  threshold limit in the worst case scenario.)
• - 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

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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

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Laser eyewear (protect from beam hazard)
• Mandatory use with all
  procedures.
• - Essential equipment for personal protection
  reduces the energy that reaches the eye to below
  the MPE (maximum permissible exposure level).
  Required for beam alignment as well as operating
  a laser
• - 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.

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Personal Protective Equipment (contd)

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

21
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

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Non-beam Hazards

• Chemical must have Material Safety
• Data Sheets (MSDS)
  available
• - laser generated air
• contaminants LGAC
• - compressed gases
• - dyes and solvents
• - high powered laser beam interacting with
• metal
• Biological
• - LGAC
• small pieces of viral products,
• blood, tissue and bacteria that
• are vaporized by the procedure

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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)

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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 (LOTO) procedures when
performing maintenance. - Before providing
power to the laser make sure the area is DRY
and the electrical cord is in good
condition.
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Authorized Personnel

• Laser Operator (s)
• Midshipmen (class instruction, special 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)

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Medical Surveillance

• To establish a baseline of visual acuity and
  ocular health.
• For Whom
• - All class IIIb and class IV laser operators
  and/or 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.

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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.
• EMERGENCY NUMBER
• X3-3333

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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).

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• 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

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SOP GUIDELINES (contd)

• 2. Hazards - (very important)
• - 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.

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• SOP GUIDELINES (contd)
• 3. Controls
• - Access controls (entry restrictions, door
• interlocks, signs, signals, etc.)
• Beam controls (activation of key interlock,
• enclosures, laser curtains, 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 ALSO
• Other controls as required (i.e., no smoking,
  eating
• or drinking)

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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 specific eyewear use -
Target preparations - Shut down procedures
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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.)

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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

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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.

36
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 the
• ALSO (X3-5666) or the Safety Manager
  (X3-5660).
• A mishap report will need to be generated by the
  injured individuals Supervisor 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.

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Points of Contact (POC)

• ALSO - CATHY QUIGLEY
• (X3-5666/0)
• fax (X3-4849)
• Safety - STEVE AGRIESTI
• (X3-5660)

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Evaluation Feedback

• 1. c
• 2. lasing material
• optical cavity
• energy source
• 3. I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV
• 4. c
• 5. (a) eyes (b) skin burns retinal damage
• 6. b
• 7. level of radiation to which a person can be
  exposed without hazardous effects
• 8. a
• 9. d
• 10. 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 laser is
  operational

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Evaluation Feedback

• 11. (a) Remove mirrors and brightly polished
  objects
• (b) avoid glossy paints and finishes remove
  all jewelry
• (c) use non-reflective materials and
  supplies
• 12. d
• 13. (a) Limits the laser beam penetration for a
  specific
• exposure time.
• (b) Laser curtains/barriers specially
  designed to withstand
• either direct or diffusely scattered beams,
  flammability,
• will not support combustion or be consumed
  by flames
• during and at the termination of use of
  laser,
• decomposition of products does not create a
  new hazard.
• 14. Shall
• 15. (a) reduces (b) wavelength
• 16. (a) chemical (b) biological (c) physical

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Evaluation Feedback

• 17. Electric hazards, collateral radiation,
  flammable chemicals/solvents, fire hazards,
  explosions, plasma, radiation
• 18. laser operators (b) midshipmen who have
  permission (c) maintenance personnel (d) approved
  spectators
• 19. 3333
• 20. IIIB IV anyone assisting, anyone who may
  be exposed as part of their job
• 21. Baseline and termination experienced a mishap

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• Evaluation Feedback
• 22. 3333 2009 3617
• 23. d
• 24. c
• 25. T
• 26. F
• 27. T
• 28. T
• 29. F
• 30. T
• 31. T

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ACQUIRING CLASS 3B/4 LASER

• The Laser Safety Officer
• must approve new lasers
• prior to their purchase
• Please contact Cathy Quigley (ALSO) on X3-5666

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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
• THANK YOU FOR
• TAKING THE TIME TO COMPLETE THIS FY04 LASER
  SAFETY TRAINING