Laser Safety Code of Practice

The Head of Department is responsible for ensuring that all work with Lasers in their Department is carried out in accordance with the University Laser Safety Policy and with this Code of Practice. Where Class 3B and 4 Lasers are used, the Head of Department shall;

• Adopt local rules for Lasers in their Department, and
• Appoint a Laser Safety Officer (LSO)

The Supervisor has the duty delegated to them from the Head of Department to provide “such supervision as is necessary” to ensure the safety of all students for whom they are responsible. This includes postgraduate students and undergraduate students working with Lasers.

The Supervisor/Principal Investigator has the following responsibilities.

• To provide immediate supervision on the use of Lasers in the laboratory.
• To explain and enforce the University Laser Safety Code of Practice.
• To train Laser users in the administration of local rules.
• To consult with the Departmental LSO (see 1.4) when new activity or significant change in activity involving Lasers is planned (Use form LS1).
• To inform the Departmental LSO of plans to bring new Class 3B and 4 Lasers into the Department.
• To inform the Departmental LSO of the details of changes in users of Class 3B and 4 Lasers.
• To notify the University Laser Safety Advisor (see 1.3) and the University Health and Safety Manager of any accident involving Lasers.
• To attend training.

The University Laser Safety Advisor has responsibility for the administration and auditing of systems relating to Lasers to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act1974.

The University Laser Safety Advisor shall:

• be advised of the intended purchase of a Class 3B or 4 Laser as part of the procurement process. An initial risk assessment must be carried out by the This document forms part of 含羞草视频’s health and safety policy Version 2 January 2016 Departmental LSO using form LS1 before placing an order for a Class 3B or 4 Laser. This assessment shall ensure that the intended work space is suitable and that the Laser meets the standards set by BSEN 60825 part 1. The University Laser Safety Advisor shall review this assessment and inform the Department LSO of any additional safety arrangements that must be adopted before the Laser is used for the first time at 含羞草视频. The standards required are those set out in BSEN 60825 part 1.
• Carry out audits in accordance with an agreed programme and report findings to the Head of Department.
• Conduct random inspections and report findings to the Departmental LSO.
• Provide assistance to the DLSO and Heads of Department.
• Carry out suitable training for staff using Class 3B and 4 Lasers for the first time.
• Report to the Radiation Sub Committee annually.
• Investigate accidents.
• Restrict or stop* Laser activities that do not comply with this code of practice or which the ULSA considers to be a serious and imminent risk.
• To work with the University Health and Safety Service.

(NOTE; To appeal against a prohibition order the Department concerned shall apply in writing to the University Health and Safety Manager for a formal review.)

The Departmental LSO plays a fundamental role in assisting the University Laser Safety Advisor and ensuring that the Department complies with the University Laser Safety Policy. This person shall be closely involved with the Department’s use of Lasers, preferably in a line management position. The Department LSO shall:

• Carry out a minimum of two audits per year (one per semester) to verify that Class 3B and 4 Lasers are being used in accordance with the University Laser Safety Code of Practice. The findings of the audit shall be sent to the University Laser Safety Advisor and Head of Department within 1 week of carrying out the audit.
• Ensure that the following records are maintained: local rules, registered users, registered Lasers, risk assessments, training, maintenance and servicing.
• Ensure that Lasers are procured in accordance with the Laser Safety Code of Practice (see section 7). An initial risk assessment must be carried out by the Departmental LSO using form LS3 before placing an order for a Class 3B or 4 Laser.
• Carry out an initial risk assessment as part of the procurement procedure.
• Ensure that staff are trained to use Lasers in the Department. Training covering local rules and risk assessments may be delivered by the Department LSO or by the Supervisor. Staff who use Class 3B and 4 Lasers must be registered with the Department LSO (and University Health and Safety Service), who shall ensure that they have attended suitable training before using the Lasers without supervision.
• Liaise with the University Laser Safety Advisor

The ULSA shall be an academic member of staff with substantial expertise in the field of Laser safety. The minimum qualification for this role is attendance on the joint Health Protection Agency (HPA)/含羞草视频 five day Laser management course.

Departmental LSO’s and supervisors of Laser work shall attend either a University course of 2 day duration or an equivalent course (subject to the approval of the University Laser Safety Advisor). Appropriate refresher training, recommended by the ULSA, shall be received every 5 years. Training is arranged by the University Health and Safety Service and delivered by the ULSA.

All users of Class 3B and 4 Lasers MUST attend one of the Laser safety training sessions. Training is held twice per academic year. No unsupervised work can take place until Laser users are trained.

All Laser users must be informed by the Supervisor of the findings of risk assessments and local rules for their working area. Users must sign a copy of the local rules where these apply and the signed copy shall be retained by the Departmental LSO.

All users of Class 3B and 4 Lasers must be registered with the University Health And Safety Service. (Please use the form LS2)

It is unlikely that the Laser can be removed entirely but the substitution of a Laser with one from a less hazardous class must be considered e.g. change the use of a Class 3B Laser to a Class 2 Laser.

These are the most effective methods of control for a given Laser and should always be considered first - see section 6: Guarding and signage

Steps should be taken to change behaviour so that people do not inadvertently or deliberately put themselves at risk. Examples include:

• Training
• Designating Laser Controlled Areas where exposure can exceed the ELV (MPE) for the particular wavelength of Laser radiation
• Signage and warning lights
• Preventing unauthorised access to a controlled area
• Controlling access to keys
• Keeping beam paths as short as possible
• Containing the beam in fibres, flight tubes or other forms of containment
• Written Safe Operating Procedures for high risk activities including maintenance and alignment of the beam
• Controlling the use of equipment or the wearing of items that may give rise to specular reflections
• Local rules
• Use of alignment aids during routine maintenance to realign the beam path e.g. use of a lower power sighting Laser or use of mask or target
• Displaying Emergency Action notices as laminated sheets near to the entrance to any Designated Laser Controlled Area to give instructions on how to obtain emergency assistance and medical help.

PPE are the items worn by an individual to protect against residual risks. PPE is the last form of control that should be considered as a safety measure and it should only be provided if it is not possible to guarantee that exposure to radiation will be less than the ELV (MPE) for the particular Laser under all circumstances. PPE also needs to be maintained and replaced when necessary – which can be overlooked and can be expensive.

Attention is drawn to the following guidance.

• PPE should be provided if, despite using other means of control, there is still a risk that eyes can be exposed to Laser radiation above the ELV (MPE).
• Where PPE has been deemed necessary its use is compulsory.
• Laser eyewear must be carefully selected to ensure that the wavelength of light emitted by the Laser is selectively blocked by the filter in the eyewear
• Where Lasers of different wavelengths are in use, a system of colour coding or other means must be used to match the Laser with the appropriate eyewear
• Eyewear must be permanently marked to show a) the operating wavelength and b) the optical density at the operating wavelength.
• Eyewear must be replaced if it is exposed to a single incident of accidental exposure to a high level of incident radiation or if the filter has degraded with prolonged or accumulative exposure to Laser radiation.