Laser incidents: A summary of recent accident reports

Abstract

Laser incidents of various types continued to be reported on a frequent basis. This discussion will update previous laser incident data reports by this author which categorized laser accident criteria with episodes beginning as early as 1964 [1,2,3]. The total data now covers 395 events. The summary analysis discussed herein includes the type(s) of laser involved and the conditions of the incident including, where possible, the exposure details and follow-up information.In the past, the incident data has shown accidental exposures of the eye and/or skin, ignition of fires, inhalation of hazardous laser-generated fumes and/or particulates, lethal exposures of high voltage as-well-as other hazards associated with the use of lasers. Earlier reports have summarized incident data up to December 1996. [4,5,6].The more recent laser exposure events include not only the more traditional laboratory environment reports of accidental exposures from usually high power lasers, but also now include cases of intentional exposures with Class II or IIIA laser pointers and similar devices that may include limited possibility for retinal lesions but also the risks associated from flashblinding exposures while the victim is performing potentially hazardous tasks. All of these events are considered as laser associated incidents and are included in die laser incident registry maintained by the author since the mid 1980’s.Laser incidents of various types continued to be reported on a frequent basis. This discussion will update previous laser incident data reports by this author which categorized laser accident criteria with episodes beginning as early as 1964 [1,2,3]. The total data now covers 395 events. The summary analysis discussed herein includes the type(s) of laser involved and the conditions of the incident including, where possible, the exposure details and follow-up information.In the past, the incident data has shown accidental exposures of the eye and/or skin, ignition of fires, inhalation of hazardous laser-generated fumes and/or particulates, lethal exposures of high voltage as-well-as other hazards associated with the use of lasers. Earlier reports have summarized incident data up to December 1996. [4,5,6].The more recent laser exposure events include not only the more traditional laboratory environment reports of accidental exposures from usually high power lasers, but also now include cases of intentional ...