OVERVIEW

Operations of Class 3B and/or Class 4 Lasers must be performed under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI) whereby such operations must be first approved by the Laser Safety Officer (LSO). Principal Investigators and laboratory supervisors oversee the safety and health of their laboratory personnel. They may delegate safety duties, but they must make sure all delegated safety duties are carried out. The approved PI may be a faculty or staff member knowledgeable in the operation of laser(s). If any personnel intend to use Class 3B and/or Class 4 Lasers in your research areas, they must first inform the LSO prior to the possession or operation of lasers.

REGISTRATION AND PI RESPONSIBILITIES

• Register all Class 3B and/or Class 4 Lasers with Laser Safety Officer (LSO) using a Laser Registration Form, available in the Auburn University Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Packet. Please complete a separate form for each laser in your current laser inventory and return to LSO.
• Develop a written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describing the lab’s laser-specific procedures and precautions, including the maintenance and alignment procedures related to Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers in your inventory. Complete the Lab-Specific Laser Safety Procedures page of the SOP in full detail and submit it to the LSO for approval.
  • On the Lab-Specific Laser Safety Procedures page of the SOP, step-by-step instructions for the safe use of laser must be listed for each laser and must be available to all laser users and students, as applicable. These procedures must provide instruction on laser-specific guidelines, special precautions, unusual conditions as well as login, system startup, alignment, routine maintenance, shutdown procedures, and logout procedures including all safety-related steps and any data recording procedures that are related to radiation safety.
  • Where applicable, the detailed written alignment procedures must be posted in close vicinity of the laser. Refer to the Beam Alignment Procedures Section of the Auburn University Laser Safety Information and Forms Packet for guidelines. The owner’s manual should also be available to operators.
  • The PI is expected to ensure no individual operates the laser in any manner other than that prescribed in the normal operating procedures.
  • Any procedure, maintenance or alignment that requires access to the laser beam with any local component of the system disassembled or removed requires prior approval by the LSO.
• Ensure no individual operates the laser in any manner other than that prescribed in the SOP.
• Identify all laser users with potential to use the laser or to be present during laser operations and assure that all personnel receives both online General Laser Safety Training in BioRAFT and Site-specific/On-the-job Training prior to working in the lab. Complete a Certificate of Training Form for each laser user and maintain a copy of training documentation in the lab.
• Post signs and inform personnel of both potential laser and non-beam hazards. Detailed information and instructions on laser posting signage can be found in the Auburn University Laser Safety Information and Forms Packet.
• Provide appropriate eye protection for people working with Class 3B and/or Class 4 Lasers. For assistance in determining the appropriate Optical Density (OD), complete Laser Safety Hazard Evaluation form available in the Auburn University Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Packet and return it to the LSO.
• Contact LSO for approval if any procedure, maintenance or alignment requires access to the laser beam with any local component of the system disassembled or removed.
• Maintain all laser safety-related records (i.e., laser safety training, laser safety manual, inspections/ audits, incident/accident investigations for each employee).

Please notify the LSO before modifying any lasers, especially if the modifications warrant defeat of engineering safeguards. If a research laser is under construction and engineering safeguards and/or interlocks are not utilized, this information must be noted in the comments field of Class 3B and /or Class 4 Laser Registration Form available in the Auburn University Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Packet.

AUDITS

Upon installation, the LSO will conduct an initial audit of all Class 3B and/or Class 4 Lasers to verify demonstration of compliance. Laser audits can also be requested and conducted on an as needed basis. Consequently, if there are changes in the initial configuration, number, or type of local components in the system, maintenance requiring the disassembly or removal of a local component in the system, and any time a visual inspection of the local components in the system reveals an abnormal condition, the LSO should be notified in order to conduct an audit.

After the initial LSO audit, it is recommended that the PI conduct an annual self-audit of each of their laser systems. The Laser Safety Self-Audit/Inspection Form may be found in the Auburn University Laser Safety Information and Forms Packet.

CONTROL OF LASER AREAS

Laser safety control includes administrative controls and engineering controls. The combined use of both engineering and administrative control methods is considered to be the most effective in controlling hazards of laser radiation. Administrative controls are methods and instructions that promote laser safety in the laboratory. Such controls may include standard operating procedures, training, warning signs and labels, eye protection, and skin protection. Engineering controls are design features or devices applied to a laser system.

It is generally considered the most effective of the two types of controls. Examples of engineering controls may include master switch control, key controls, beam enclosures, beam stops, beam tubes, beam barriers, beam dumps, interlocks, and shutters.

ACCESS CONTROL

All Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers must be operated in a laser-controlled area. It is necessary to secure Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers and provide proper warning indication to prevent accidental beam exposure to personnel. The requirements for controlled laser areas have been interpreted to mean that the doors must be locked, or interlocked, and proper warning indication must be provided at the entrance to the area when the laser is operating, unless the area just inside the door is protected by a barrier. While locks can be used to secure the room, rapid egress from the area in the event of an emergency should not be impeded. Slide bolts and dead bolts are not acceptable locks since exit can be impeded.

The requirements for individual laser-controlled areas must be determined by the LSO. The minimum requirements for laser-controlled areas are:

• Entryway controls allow only authorized personnel or approved spectators to enter the laser control area. (Administrative controls are acceptable.)
• Laser safety eyewear is available and used in accordance with the SOP for Class 3B and Class 4 lasers.
• Beam control (barriers and beam blocks) is present to limit laser hazards within the controlled area.
• Written SOP for Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers.
• Training of operators of all Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers.

POSTING AND WARNING SYSTEMS FOR LASER CONTROLLED AREAS

The PI is responsible for posting signs and informing personnel of potential hazards. All signs must be conspicuously displayed at locations where they best serve to inform all lab personnel.

Entrances to laser areas must be posted with permanent door-type laser warning signs that include all information appropriate to the lasers operated within the room such as type of laser(s), wavelength(s), power output used, and minimum optical density (OD) for the specific laser wavelengths. Areas where Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers are used must be secured and properly posted to protect against accidental beam exposure to personnel. All windows, doorways, and portals should be covered or restricted to reduce transmitted laser levels below Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE). Doorknob-type warning signs (“Do not enter”, “Alignment in progress”, “Laser operating inside”) should be temporarily posted in instances where personnel intending to enter laser-use areas might need to be alerted of potentially enhanced hazards, such as during beam alignments. Please refer to Instructions for Proper Posting in the Auburn University Laser Safety Information and Forms Packet in obtaining appropriate signs for posting and advice on controlling laser areas.

In cases in which illuminated “laser-on” warning signs are present outside laser laboratories, these lights should be flashing or lit only when the laser is on. Otherwise, they become part of the landscape and are ignored. If a Class 3B and/or Class 4 laser needs to be left on without personnel in the room, please ensure that the door is locked. Lights alone do not suffice as adequate warning,

LASER SAFETY TRAINING AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Only qualified and trained faculty, staff or graduate students may operate Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers at Auburn University. To be qualified, a laser operator must meet both the training requirements outlined below, and operational qualifications established by the responsible PI.

The following training must be completed consecutively before personnel are permitted to operate lasers and/or laser systems without supervision:

• General laser safety training
• Site-specific/on-the-job training

The first part of Laser Safety Training is an online course offered by the Department of Risk Management & Safety. In this initial laser safety-training module, the general laser safety principles will be covered. This includes engineering, administrative, personal protective laser safety controls, biological effects of laser radiation, common causes of laser accidents, non-beam hazards, and human behavioral factors as they relate to laser safety.
The second part of training is referred to as Site-specific/on-the-job training. This is to be conducted by the Principal Investigator (PI) or an experienced senior researcher. Hands-on-training has been shown to be effective and provides an opportunity for new users to work at their own pace with opportunities to ask questions while they are supervised. On-the-job training helps comfort new users, provide experience, and set the standard to operate the laser safely.

On-the-job training must be conducted by the PI or an experienced senior researcher in the laser laboratory. All laser personnel must be provided with adequate training so that they are sufficiently competent to operate the lasers independently and safely. All appropriate operational procedures (laser system startup, alignment, controls, shutdown etc.) need to be covered in this training, including the necessary safety equipment and other safety related considerations.

General laser safety training should be completed in BioRAFT prior to completing the hands-on-training in lab. The Certificate of Training Form must be completed and submitted to the LSO indicating that this second component of training has been performed. Completion of all training must be documented. Remember, only qualified and trained users may operate Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers. It is important to satisfy both training components as outlined in this section.

It is recommended that all operators of class 1, 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R lasers and laser systems and all incidental personnel or spectators who may be allowed to enter laser-controlled areas receive a laser safety briefing provided by the PI before operating the laser or entering the controlled area.

The most prominent safety concern with lasers is the possibility of bodily damage from exposure to the laser beam, primarily the eyes and skin

COMMON CAUSES OF LASER EYE INJURIES

• Unanticipated eye exposure during beam alignment
• Fatigue, carelessness, inappropriate shortcuts, or horseplay
• Upwardly directed beam, beam at eye-level, or beam crossing walkways
• Eye protection not worn or the wrong eyewear worn
• Overconfidence; feeling of complacency or invincibility
• Beam not sufficiently enclosed or isolated
• Laser operator not sufficiently trained
• Laser use area not optically isolated from other lab areas and entryways
• Failure to follow SOP due to hurrying, impatience, etc.
• Manufacturer and laser-user installed safety features removed or bypassed.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

The hazards associated with skin exposure are of less importance than eye hazards. However, with the expanding use of higher power laser systems, there is the possibility that unprotected skin of personnel may be exposed to hazardous beams if used in an unenclosed system design. Additionally, there are non-beam hazards that should be considered by personnel.

Special precautions should be taken to protect the skin and eyes against beam exposure:

• Remove personal jewelry. Watches, rings, etc. act as reflectors. When entering a laser lab, remove anything that may pose a reflection hazard. This is to protect you and your co-workers.
• Gloves, lab coats, eye protection should be worn when preparing dyes and solvents for laser.
• It is recommended that any solution preparation be done inside a chemical fume hood.
• For hazardous gases and cryogenic materials, some may require special ventilation. When handling cryogenic materials, it is appropriate to wear protective clothing and face shields.

PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR

Engineering controls and administrative controls are the best way to control hazards. In terms of protection, protective eyewear is considered the last line of defense against laser hazards. Therefore, appropriate laser protective eyewear must always be worn within the nominal hazard zone (NHZ) when working with Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers or laser systems and whenever there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure to a harmful level of laser radiation.

Laser protective eyewear is wavelength-specific and proper selection is important, especially for optical density (OD). OD measures the ability of the laser safety glasses to block the light that is transmitted from a particular wavelength. The higher the OD, the more laser light from a particular wavelength range is blocked. While a higher OD provides a greater level of protection, a high OD lens will also decrease visibility for the user. Wearers are typically less inclined to wear their protective eyewear with high OD. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the best-suited eyewear for each laser system to provide appropriate visibility while protecting against accidental beam exposure. Complete the Laser Safety Hazard Evaluation form available in the Auburn University Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Packet and return it to LSO for assistance in selecting appropriate protective eyewear. In general, laser eyewear must be selected to protect against reflections and provide protection to a level where the natural aversion reflex will prevent eye injuries.

Eyewear must be maintained in good condition. Inspect your eyewear before each use, clean periodically and replace if necessary.

LASER VENDORS

This list is provided as a reference only and should not be considered as an endorsement of any company or product by Auburn University. The following vendors supply standard laser eyewear and certified M-rated eyewear, often offering discounts on eyewear to educational institutions like Auburn University:

• NoIR Laser Company
• Laservision
• Newport Corporation
• Kentek Corporation

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of a laser accident, below provides an outline that can be followed. Keep in mind that supervisors of laser areas should create their own emergency procedure that is unique to the lab and ensure that other users are fully aware of the procedure:

1. Turn off the laser involved in the accident immediately and unplug it. Post a “DO NOT USE” sign on the laser to ensure it is not used again until it can be determined that it is safe.
2. In case of injury:
   1. If the injury is life-threatening (electrocution), call 911 immediately.
   2. Keep the injured person calm. If an eye injury is suspected, keep the person in an upright position.
   3. Make sure the injured person receives immediate medical treatment – injured persons need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
   4. Arrange for transportation of the seriously injured person to a medical facility. The victim might be in shock or have impaired vision, so self-transportation is contraindicated.
3. If the Principal Investigator responsible for the laser involved is not present at the time of the injury, notify the Principal Investigator first, then contact LSO as soon as possible.

Non-beam hazards (NBH) are all hazards arising from the presence of a laser system, excluding direct exposure of the eyes or skin to a laser beam. In some cases, non-beam hazards can be life threatening.

X-RAYS

Some of the high voltage systems with potentials greater than 30 kV may generate x-rays at significant dose rates. Plasma systems and ion sources operated at high voltages should also be checked for x-rays. High power (kilojoule) electron pumped Excimer lasers can generate significant x-ray levels (300 mrad per pulse at 15 feet). These devices must be checked by the Radiation Safety Office upon installation to ensure adequate shielding is included.

PLASMA RADIATION

Materials can be made incandescent when exposed to laser radiations. These incandescent spots are very bright and can cause serious photochemical injuries to the eyes. Laser protective eyewear may not protect against such exposures. Whenever possible, view such spots through suitable filters such as TV cameras, etc.

FIRE HAZARDS

Class 4 visible and infrared beams with irradiances above 10 W/cm2 can ignite combustible beam enclosure materials. Keep flammables materials out of the beam line and maintain segregation between reactive reagents in the lab. Never use cardboard or paper for high power visible or infrared containment. For combustible and electrical fires, a fire extinguisher of the proper class (i.e. ABC or general purpose) must be readily accessible. Contact Auburn University Risk Management and Safety for assistance.

LASER GENERATED AIR CONTAMINANTS (LGAC)

Air contaminates, produced by the interaction of the laser beam with the target material, can result in the production of hazardous materials. During surgical procedures, biohazardous aerosols containing blood-borne pathogens are created. The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) provides detailed information on biohazardous air contaminants produced during surgery. Fumes produced when laser radiation vaporizes or burns a target material whether metallic, organic or biological may be hazardous. Adequate local exhaust ventilation needs to be provided in the laser target zone. Contact LSO for assistance.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Many gases and all laser dyes and solvents used in some laser systems are highly toxic. Several laser dyes are carcinogenic. When dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is the solvent, the dyes may be particularly hazardous if spilled on the skin because DMSO promotes absorption through the skin. If toxic chemicals are used in a laser system, Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS) must be reviewed prior to using them. MSDSs can be accessed through manufacturers’ website. If the MSDS cannot be located, contact Auburn University Laboratory Safety. Potential exposures to dyes and solvents are most likely to occur during solution preparation. During solution preparation, dye and solvent mixing should be done inside a chemical fume hood. Dye pumps and tubing/pipe connections should be designed to minimize leakage. Pumps and reservoirs should be set inside spill pans. Tubing/pipe systems should be pressure-tested prior to using dye solutions and periodically thereafter. Dye solutions can be corrosive. Stainless steel heat exchangers are recommended. Keep dye handling areas clean and segregated from other operations. Gas cylinders ordered through Airgas should be returned to Airgas. Dyes and solvents must be properly disposed of through Auburn University Chemical Waste Collection Program. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for assistance.

HAZARDOUS GASES AND CRYOGENIC MATERIALS

Flammable gases, e.g. hydrogen and oxygen tanks, present significant hazards if proper handling, manifolding, and storage precautions are not followed. Other hazardous gases may also require special handling and ventilation. Gas cylinders must be properly anchored with metal linked chains, fastened at the top and near the base of the tank to prevent falling. Such tanks can become high velocity projectiles and cause significant property damage and injuries; contact Auburn University Laboratory Safety for assistance. Some laser systems utilize toxic gases (e.g. HF) that also require notification of Auburn University Lab Safety. These gases must be contained in approved ventilation and manifold systems. Contact LSO for information on approved systems.

Wear appropriate protective clothing and face shields when handling large quantities of liquid nitrogen (LN) or other cryogenic materials. The normal moisture and oils present on the skin will protect against a few drops of LN spilled on the skin, but large quantities can cause severe frostbite. LN and inert gases can displace air in a room or confined area and cause asphyxiation. Good ventilation is required in areas where these gases and cryogenic liquids are used. Open dewars of liquid nitrogen can condense oxygen from the room air and cause fire or explosion hazards if the oxygen contacts a fuel.

UV LASERS

Since UV radiation scatters easily from many surfaces, and exposure to UV radiation can cause cancer, it is important to contain UV radiation as much as possible. Wear gloves, long sleeve lab coats (when hands are near the beam), and face and eye protection against UV radiation exposure. Avoid putting hands into the invisible beam (use fluorescent screens to define the beam). When intense UV radiation is absorbed in air, ozone will be produced and proper ventilation may be needed. Contact LSO for assistance on ozone concerns and UV radiation hazards.

NOISE

Certain lasers and associated electrical devices can generate painful and unpleasant noises at high frequency or repetitive rate that are harmful to the ears. Noise levels from certain lasers, and their work environment, may be of such intensity that noise control may be necessary.