Management of a laser safety program in the research environment

Abstract

A history of laser safety management at the research laboratory is reviewed with several examples of the problems encountered. A method of issuing permits along with the appointment of deputy laser safety officers is described. A quality laser-training program was used with the results that no permanent eyesight-damage accidents occurred on trained employees at the facility for about 25 years. A unique exposure of one of the laboratory personnel while visiting a foreign facility is given. Retinal damage was caused by secondary radiation from a small alumina target that was exposed to a high-power CO2 laser.The results of this program demonstrated that sufficient protection for the laser operators was provided during that time that the plan was in operation. It was also concluded that laser safety training is a necessary and essential part for maintaining a good laser safety program. This was reinforced when an experienced laser operator with excellent credentials was allowed to operate a laser without the benefit of the training program. The worker received an off-center burn from the primary beam (1064 nm) Nd-YAG while working with the frequency-doubled beam (532 nm). There was no primary beam protection. The worker had not received any of our laser safety training and violated most of the safety requirements that were in place. This helped to substantiate and reinforce the need for a quality laser-safety training program.A history of laser safety management at the research laboratory is reviewed with several examples of the problems encountered. A method of issuing permits along with the appointment of deputy laser safety officers is described. A quality laser-training program was used with the results that no permanent eyesight-damage accidents occurred on trained employees at the facility for about 25 years. A unique exposure of one of the laboratory personnel while visiting a foreign facility is given. Retinal damage was caused by secondary radiation from a small alumina target that was exposed to a high-power CO2 laser.The results of this program demonstrated that sufficient protection for the laser operators was provided during that time that the plan was in operation. It was also concluded that laser safety training is a necessary and essential part for maintaining a good laser safety program. This was reinforced when an experienced laser operator with excellent credentials was allowed to operate a laser without the...