Laser accidents: A fifty-year review of medical and non-medical exposure C101

Abstract

Advancements in the optical area have greatly increased the widespread use of lasers, in many technical areas. However, the increasing use of lasers in such areas often brings concerns for health and safety issues. The authors have discussed these concerns in previous presentations to the International Laser Safety Conference using results obtained from the Rockwell Laser Incident Database (RLID). Such presentations have shown the types of accidents that arise when workers use lasers. This particular presentation will use information from the expanded RLID to compare laser incidents from medical and non-medical cases. No data will be used that -involves laser pointer or Federal Aviation Agency cases.Advancements in the optical area have greatly increased the widespread use of lasers, in many technical areas. However, the increasing use of lasers in such areas often brings concerns for health and safety issues. The authors have discussed these concerns in previous presentations to the International Laser Safety Conference using results obtained from the Rockwell Laser Incident Database (RLID). Such presentations have shown the types of accidents that arise when workers use lasers. This particular presentation will use information from the expanded RLID to compare laser incidents from medical and non-medical cases. No data will be used that -involves laser pointer or Federal Aviation Agency cases.