Laser Safety Policy
1. Introduction1.1 The aim of this policy is to protect staff, students, contractors and visitors from exposure to harmful levels of laser radiation.
1.2 The potential hazard posed by a particular laser is indicated by its classification against the requirements of BS EN 60825: 1992. Guidance to ensure that work with lasers in universities is carried out safely and in accordance with this standard is given in "Safety in Universities: Notes on Guidance Part 2.1 Lasers" issued by the CVCP.
It is the policy of the University of Northumbria to ensure compliance with this document.
1.3 This policy recognises the special hazards associated with lasers of Class 3B** and Class 4 and the stricter control measures necessary to ensure safety in their use.
1.4 In accordance with the CVCP laser code the University has appointed a Laser Safety Officer, Dr I Latimer, of the School of Engineering, ext 3657.
1.5 The School of Engineering designs and assembles lasers.
2. General
2.1 A register of all lasers on University premises is held by the Laser Safety Officer. No laser is to be used on the premises unless it has been notified to the Laser Safety Officer and listed on the register. The Laser Safety Officer will ensure that the register is updated annually.
2.2 All lasers must bear labels giving details of their maximum out-put(s), of the wavelength(s) concerned, whether continuous wave or pulsed and if the latter, of pulse duration and repetition frequency and energy. In addition, each laser must be classified and labelled with a hazard warning appropriate to its class.
2.3 A laser of the minimum power or energy commensurate with the desired experimental objective should always be used.
2.4 Open beam paths should be located above or below eye level. The beam path from the laser to any equipment should be as short as possible with the minimum of optical reflection. Care should be taken to avoid unexpected reflections or refractions whenever items of apparatus are inserted or removed from the beam path.
2.5 Under no circumstances must intrabeam viewing be allowed unless authorised by the Laser Safety officer.
3. Class 3A and Class 3B* Lasers
3.1 All persons intending to work with Class 3A Lasers or above must be registered with the Laser Safety Officer who will arrange:
(i) receipt of copies of local rules and relevant schemes of work;
(ii) training in the safe use of lasers.
3.2 Additional control measures apply to the use of Class 3A and 3B* lasers:
(i) the laser beam must be terminated at the end of the useful path by a suitable beam stop;
(ii) open laser beam paths at eye-level should never be used and the beam should be enclosed where practicable;
(iii) laser warning signs should be displayed at the entrance to areas where these classes of laser are used.
4. Class 3B** and Class 4 Lasers
4.1 Class 3B** and Class 4 lasers may only be used in a Designated Laser Area (details from the Health and Safety Office on extension 4100).
4.2 Use of Class 3B** and Class 4 lasers where it is not reasonably practicable to totally enclose the beam path may only be operated in accordance with an approved scheme of work designed to ensure the safe operation of the lasers. The Laser Safety Officer must be consulted and is responsible for drawing up approved schemes of work.
4.3 Class 3B** and Class 4 lasers must incorporate the following safety features:
(i) key control to ensure that only authorised personnel use the laser;
(ii) a beam shutter or attenuator which operates automatically to prevent the inadvertent exposure of persons to hazardous laser radiation;
(iii) a remote interlock which shuts down the laser on opening the door to the Designated Laser Area;
(iv) An emission indicator sited outside the Designated Laser Area to give warning of lasers in use.
4.4 Appropriate laser safety goggles must be provided for all work with Class 3B** and Class 4 lasers where the laser beam is not totally enclosed.
5. Arrangements
5.1 The Head of Department has overall responsibility for health and safety arrangements within the department.
5.2 Responsibility for ensuring that lasers are used in accordance with this policy is that of the relevant lecturer in charge (Class 1 and Class 2 lasers) or the registered laser user (Class 3A and above). This includes ensuring the appropriate level of supervision.
5.3 The Laser Safety Officer will carry out routine surveys of laser installations to monitor implementation of this policy.
5.4 The Assistant Safety Officer will notify the Laser Safety Officer if, during the course of departmental safety inspections, he becomes concerned at the conditions in which a laser is being used.
5.5 Annually the Laser Safety Officer will assess each laser against the requirements of the Laser Survey Form (details from the Health and Safety Office on extension 4100). Any laser failing to comply will be taken out of use until appropriate remedial action has been taken to secure compliance.
5.6 The Laser Safety Officer will provide an annual report to the University Safety Management Group on monitoring.
Health and Safety Office
1\Codes\HS24\1994
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