Responsibilities

• The principal investigator (P.I.) is responsible for safe use of lasers in the P.I.'s laboratory. The principal investigator must notify the Radiation Safety Office upon purchasing a class IIIb or IV laser device. The principal investigator must notify the Radiation Safety Office of any changes in operational status, such as location changes and or modifications to any laser equipment that may change the classification number. The P.I. must also appoint a laboratory laser safety officer, who may be the P.I. or other appropriate person.

• The laboratory laser safety officer must be registered with the Radiation Safety Office. This may be accomplished by contacting the University of Kentucky laser safety officer at 323-6777. The laboratory laser safety officer is responsible for:
  • Ensuring the proper registration of all class IIIb and IV lasers and personnel who will operate the lasers.
  • Ensuring that all personnel have completed the Basic Laser Safety Training program as required by Part D-2 of this policy prior to operating a registered laser.the lasers.
  • Developing, maintaining and updating, as needed, all operating, alignment and emergency procedures for the lasers and the facility under the laboratory laser safety officer's control.
  • Acting as the contact for the Radiation Safety Office.
  • Enforcing the safety standards defined in the UK Laser Safety policy.
  • Supervising all spectators, visitors and personnel with access to the facility to ensure against unauthorized entrance or accidental exposure to laser radiation.
  • Recommending to all new personnel that a baseline eye exam be taken prior to the use or operation of a registered laser.
  • Updating all records to reflect changes in personnel or equipment by contacting the Radiation Safety Office.
  • Reporting all incidents involving safety violations or injury to the Radiation Safety Office at 323-6777.
  • Ensuring that personal protective equipment (eye wear, protective clothing) is properly maintained and worn.

• The individual user must observe all safety precautions and operating procedures while using class IIIb or IV lasers and must inform the principal investigator, laboratory laser safety officer, U.K. Laser Safety Officer or the U.K. Radiation Safety Officer of any apparent safety problems associated with the use of the laser. Each operator must be adequately trained as defined in Part D-2 of this policy.

• The University of Kentucky Laser Safety Officer (L.S.O.) and the Radiation Safety Officer (R.S.O.) have jurisdiction over all aspects of hazard prevention and control of laser radiation and have the authority to suspend any operation that constitutes a radiation health hazard to the equipment operators, University personnel, or the general public.

Procedures

• Registration
  • All class IIIb and IV lasers must be registered with the Radiation Safety Office prior to installation and use. This may be accomplished by completing the laser registration form (see Appendix, or available from the Radiation Safety Office or on the web site ).
  • All class IIIb and IV laser operators must be registered with the Radiation Safety Office prior to working with class IIIb or IV lasers.
• Training
  • Each person using a class IIIb or IV laser must complete the "Laser Personnel Training Information Sheet" (see Appendix, or the Radiation Safety Office, or the web site above).
  • Exemptions from the laser training program may be granted by the Radiation Safety Officer after reviewing the "Laser Personnel Training Information Sheet" to verify that appropriate training has been completed.
  • Additional training may be required by the L.S.O. or R.S.O. after reviewing the "Laser Personnel Training Information Sheet".
• Inspections
  • All newly registered class IIIb and IV lasers and facilities must be inspected by staff of the Radiation Safety Office prior to operation.
  • All investigators must allow inspections of lasers and laser facilities upon request of the L.S.O. or R.S.O.
  • All investigators shall notify the Radiation Safety Office prior to any change in the laser or facility arrangement that affects the safety of personnel or property.
  • An inspection may be requested by any person in the laboratory who feels one is warranted.
• Medical Surveillance
  • All individuals working with Class IIIb and Class IV lasers should have a baseline eye exam prior to the use or operation of a registered laser. Contact the Radiation Safety Office for further information on how to accomplish this.

Control Measures

• Each laser and laser facility must be designed to ensure that maximum protection is afforded to the operator.

• Only Class I, Class II, and Class IIIa lasers may be used for demonstration purposes.

• Class I lasers require no controls.

• Class II lasers require the following controls:
  • The protective housing must be provided for all lasers.
  • A Class II "Caution" logo must be posted on the laser and must read "Do Not Stare Into The Beam".
  • The laser beam must never be intentionally stared into or directed into the eye.

• Class IIIa lasers require the following controls:
  • The appropriate "Caution" label must be affixed to the protective housing.
  • Each laser area must be posted with the appropriate "Caution" sign.
  • Any protective housing must remain in place to prevent exposure to radiation from any source other than the defined aperture unless the protective housing interferes with necessary laser operation.
  • The protective housing must be interlocked to prevent exposure of personnel to unnecessary laser radiation. Interlocks must be checked during routine inspections to ensure they are functioning properly. The interlock must not be overridden during normal operation.
  • Beam stops for lasers must be permanently attached and be capable of preventing access to unnecessary laser radiation.
  • Since viewing portals and collecting optics may increase the hazards, all devices must incorporate a means to maintain laser radiation emitted through them at or below safe levels. The laser safety officer or the principal investigator is responsible for determining the hazard involved and is responsible for taking the proper safety measures. Equipment labels must be properly displayed on each laser and must include the class of laser, power output, and the appropriate cautionary statement.
  • Each laboratory must keep written operating, alignment, safety, and emergency procedures. Copies of these documents must be submitted to the Radiation Safety Office upon request. Any changes to any of these procedures must be forwarded to the Radiation Safety Office upon request.

• Class IIIb and Class IV lasers require the following controls in addition to requirements needed with Class IIIa lasers:
  • The appropriate "Danger" label must be affixed to the protective housing;
  • All protective housings and service panels needing removal for maintenance must have labels indicating defeatable interlocks.
  • If the interlocks must be bypassed during maintenance, a temporary Laser Control Area must be established (see below).
  • A master switch (either a key or coded access) must be provided that, when removed, must make the laser inoperable. Authority for access to the master switch must be with the principal investigator and/or the laboratory laser safety officer.
  • Beam paths must be oriented so that totally unenclosed and partially enclosed beams are operated only in specific laser controlled areas established by the principal investigator and the laboratory laser safety officer in conjunction with the Radiation Safety Office.
  • A laser controlled area for Class IIIb and IV lasers must meet the following criteria:
    • A Laser Control Area must be under the direct supervision of the laboratory laser safety officer.
    • The Laser Control Area must be posted with appropriate warning signs.
    • Hazardous beams must terminate in an appropriate beam stop.
    • Except as required for medical use, the laser beam path must be configured such that the exposed beam is above eye level of a person in standing position or below eye level of a person in seated position. Example: The beam path remains 6.5 feet and below 3.5 feet off the floor.
    • Only diffusely reflecting materials may be near the beam path.
    • Effective eye protection must be available and worn by all individuals who have access to the laser radiation.
    • All openings (windows, doors) from the Laser Control Area must be covered or restricted to prevent unnecessary exposure to laser radiation.
    • There must be a visual or audible indicator that is activated prior to emission of the beam.
    • Remote firing with video monitoring or other remote viewing techniques must be chosen when feasible.
    • Backstops must be constructed of diffusely reflecting material and, when practical, fire resistant material.

General Requirements

• Lasers should be operated in well lighted areas whenever possible to reduce pupil size and minimize possible eye damage.
• Jewelry must not be worn in a laser controlled area as laser beams may reflect off the jewelry and cause damage to the eyes or skin.
• Materials capable of specular reflection should be avoided or removed from the laser operating area.
• The laser beam must never be intentionally stared into or directed into the eyes.
• If in connection with normal use of a laser the operator suspects that a safety hazard may exist, the operator should request the Radiation Safety Office to conduct an immediate laser safety survey.

Additional Requirements

The Radiation Safety Officer may apply additional safety requirements as deemed necessary by the R.S.O. to protect the health of the operators, University personnel, or the general public.

References

• American National Standards Institute, Inc., American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, Z136.l-1986, The Laser Institute of America, 1986.