New chapters and updates highlight the second edition of Laser Safety: Tools and Training . This text provides background information relating to lasers and laser safety, and examines the components of laser work and laser safety from a different perspective. Written by a working laser safety officer, the book considers ways to keep users, as well as those around them, safe. The author encourages readers to think beyond protective eyewear. As it relates to safety, he determines that if eyewear is required, then the laser system is not ideal.
This book factors in optics, the vibration elements of the optical table, the power meter, and user training, elements that are not commonly considered in the context of laser safety. It presents ways for users to evaluate the hazards of any laser procedure and ensure that they are following documented laser safety standards. The material serves as a fundamental means or road map for laser users seeking to utilize the safest system possible.
What’s New in the Second Edition:
The second edition provides an inclusion of the Z136.8 Research Laser Standard, and offers updates and an explanation of eye exposure limits (MPE), presents new cases studies, and presents practical example images. It includes coverage of, laser lab design lessons, addresses user facility challenges and laser disposal.
Presents case studies of real accidents, preventive measures, and templates for documenting potential laser risks and attendant safety measures
Reviews factors often overlooked when one is setting up a laser lab
Demonstrates how to investigate a laser incident
This text which includes fundamental laser and laser safety information, as well as critical laser use information, is appropriate for both the novice and the seasoned professional.
Author(s): Ken Barat
Series: IOP Series in Coherent Sources, Quantum Fundamentals, and Applications
Edition: 2
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 258
City: Bristol
PRELIMS.pdf
Preface
Acknowledgement
Author biography
Ken Barat
List of contributors
CH001.pdf
Chapter 1 Why are laser accidents still happening?
1.1 Bad behavior and no negative consequences
1.2 Lessons learned/good practices
1.2.1 Common accident causes
1.3 Possible future: virtual reality
1.3.1 On-the-job training/mentoring (a topic you will find mentioned several times in this text, but learning is through repetition)
1.4 Recommendation
1.4.1 Trainer, what are your responsibilities?
1.4.2 Trainee, what are your responsibilities?
1.4.3 What makes up good coaching?
1.4.4 Training review
CH002.pdf
Chapter 2 Classification: a means of hazard communication
2.1 Cautionary note: laser classification by the LSO
2.2 Key item about laser hazard classification and why people care
2.3 Explanation of individual laser classes
2.4 System classification
2.4.1 Note on: limitations
2.4.2 IEC
2.4.3 CDRH
2.4.4 IEC
2.4.5 IEC class 1C
2.4.6 IEC
2.4.7 Classification changes that are being discussed
2.5 Classification based on control measures—laser control groups
2.6 Training slides on classification
CH003.pdf
Chapter 3 Biological effects: something you should know about
3.1 Confession time
3.2 Let’s be truthful
3.3 Oh! I forgot about that
3.4 What is all the concern over?
3.5 All aboard—train station analogy
3.6 Injury below damage threshold
3.7 Indoor problems below the MPE do exist
3.8 Equipment damage
3.9 So where do wavelengths go?
3.9.1 UV
3.9.2 Visible
3.9.3 Near-infrared 700 nm–1400 nm
3.9.4 Mid- and far-IR
3.10 How is damage caused?
3.11 The anatomy of your eye
3.11.1 The cornea
3.11.2 The aqueous chambers
3.11.3 The lens
3.11.4 The retina
3.11.5 The iris/pupil
3.12 800 nm trap
3.12.1 Damage mechanisms by wavelength
3.13 Things to know
3.13.1 Aversion response
3.13.2 Near IR effects
3.13.3 Injuries outside the fovea
3.13.4 Vitreal hemorrhages
3.13.5 Blood in the eye, toxic effects
3.13.6 Beam size does have an effect
3.13.7 Damn! Corneal injury hurts
3.14 Physiological damage mechanisms
3.15 Quick summary
3.16 Skin
3.17 Conclusion
CH004.pdf
Chapter 4 Laser safety terms: the language LSOs speak
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Definitions that explain laser safety
4.2.1 Maximum permissible exposure (MPE)
4.2.2 Nominal hazard zone (NHZ)
4.2.3 Nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD)
4.2.4 Optical density (OD)
4.2.5 Irradiance
4.2.6 Accessible emission limit (AEL)
4.2.7 Continuous wave (CW)
4.2.8 Pulsed beam
4.2.9 Diffuse reflection
4.2.10 Specular reflection
4.3 Glossary of terms
CH005.pdf
Chapter 5 Risk assessment for lasers
5.1 Purpose
5.2 Applicability
5.3 Preface
5.4 Background
5.5 What is a risk assessment?
5.6 Fundamental concepts
5.7 Terms and definitions
5.8 Likelihood of occurrence (probability)
5.9 Consequence (severity)
5.10 Why is risk assessment important?
5.11 Where are risk assessments noted/required by regulations?
5.12 What is the goal of risk assessment?
5.13 What is acceptable risk?
5.14 Note on structure of the risk assessment worksheets
CH006.pdf
Chapter 6 Laser protective eyewear, looking sharp in the laser lab
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Eyewear labeling
6.2.1 What does > or + mean?
6.3 Can eyewear break down/fail?
6.4 Ultrafast pulses and laser eyewear
6.4.1 At a glance
6.4.2 Details
6.5 Angle of exposure
6.6 Attacked from behind
6.7 Unusual eyewear event #1
6.7.1 What to take away from this
6.8 Unusual eyewear event #2
6.9 Absorptive versus reflective filter
6.10 Impact resistance
6.11 Manufacturer protection curves and non-labelled wavelengths
6.12 What to do if labeling wears off?
6.13 Prescription eyewear
6.14 Alignment eyewear
6.15 European labelling
6.15.1 Important notice to reader
6.15.2 Protection level
6.15.3 EN code
6.16 Storage of eyewear
6.16.1 Cleaning/disinfecting of eyewear
6.16.2 Bleach precautions
6.16.3 Best practice
6.16.4 What about UV devices for cleaning—be careful
6.16.5 Future of laser eyewear
6.17 Conclusion
CH007.pdf
Chapter 7 Regulations, you mean there are rules?
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Standards and regulations
7.3 Export control
7.3.1 University guidance examples
7.3.2 Example #2
7.4 Outdoor use
7.4.1 Non-MPE effects
7.5 What if you manufacture lasers?
7.5.1 Outside the United States, meaning the rest of the world
7.6 Laser users
7.6.1 Outside the United States
7.6.2 Within the United States
7.7 US States that have a laser regulatory programs
7.8 ANSI Z136
7.8.1 Special note overlooked by many
7.9 ANSI control measures
7.10 Concluding thoughts
CH008.pdf
Chapter 8 Safety culture and laser program management
8.1 Defining safety culture
8.2 Identifying and improving safety culture
8.2.1 Worker feedback
8.2.2 Leading and lagging indicators
8.3 Safety culture and the laser safety program
8.3.1 Laser safety officer
8.3.2 Risk assessments and standard operating procedures
8.3.3 Laser safety training
8.3.4 Change management
8.3.5 Continuous improvement
8.3.6 Incident investigation
8.3.7 Root cause analysis
8.3.8 Team-based investigations
8.4 Conclusion
CH009.pdf
Chapter 9 Performance-based learning in laser safety training
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 Training vs competency
9.2 Alignment demonstration
9.2.1 More examples
9.3 Examples that apply PBL to laser safety training
9.3.1 Eyewear selection
9.3.2 Service of class 1 product
9.3.3 Control area challenge
9.3.4 Accident review
9.3.5 Lab design
9.4 Value of these PBL exercises
9.5 Alignment class material
9.5.1 The results
9.6 Conclusion
CH010.pdf
Chapter 10 Training, breaking through to users
10.1 Training
10.2 Training vs competency
10.3 Institutional—required by regulations and standards
10.4 Training techniques and approaches
10.4.1 Online courses
10.4.2 Webinar/video conference approach
10.4.3 Virtual reality (VR) approach
10.4.4 Augmented reality (AR) AI approach
10.4.5 Written handout
10.5 On-the-job training—site/equipment specific
10.6 Refresher training
10.7 Service staff challenges
10.8 Mobile app training, an effective training delivery approach
10.9 Microlearning?
10.10 Game learning
10.11 Just-in-time learning, safe plan of action
10.12 On-the-job training—OJT or is it just mentoring?
10.12.1 How long should it take?
10.12.2 How should OJT be performed?
10.12.3 What needs to be covered?
10.12.4 Who should the mentor be?
10.12.5 Do as I say, not as I do
10.12.6 Does OJT need to be documented?
10.12.7 Is follow-up needed?
10.13 More on refresher training
10.13.1 Why refresher training?
10.13.2 How do existing standards address the idea of refresher training?
10.14 Effective refresher training, what are one’s options?
10.14.1 Frequency is an important factor
10.14.2 Refresher conclusion
10.15 Standards and training
10.16 Training record retention
10.16.1 Use of training records
10.16.2 Management and administration
10.17 Conclusion
CH011.pdf
Chapter 11 Mentoring, do what I say and follow my lead
11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 As a side note
11.2 Goal of mentoring
11.3 The ten core laser safety principals
11.4 How to be a good mentor or trainer?
11.5 For those that like it short and simple
11.6 A hard lesson for those giving OJT/mentoring
11.6.1 Hold direct answers back
11.7 What about mistakes?
11.8 Commonly overlooked topics
11.9 Safety culture
11.10 Conclusion
CH012.pdf
Chapter 12 Can everyone understand your work? Considering visual disabilities when designing graphics and presentation
12.1 Introduction
12.1.1 Disability and ethics
12.1.2 Types of visual disabilities
12.1.3 Why do we care?
12.2 Color deficient vision
12.2.1 Color vision
12.2.2 Types of deficient color vision
12.2.3 Other visual disabilities
12.3 General strategies for accommodating color vision impairments
12.3.1 Color choice
12.3.2 Textures and patterns
12.3.3 Color as an aid
12.4 Considerations for all visual disabilities and conditions
12.4.1 Accessibility for electronic media
12.4.2 Contrast
12.4.3 Describing images
12.4.4 Publications
12.4.5 Safety and visual impairment
12.4.6 Online training
References
CH013.pdf
Chapter 13 Managing laser safety across multiple sites
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Responsibilities and accountability
13.2.1 The DLSO
13.2.2 Clarifying responsibilities
13.3 Standardization
13.3.1 People focused
13.3.2 Clear communication
13.4 Cultural relevance
13.4.1 Safety culture matters
13.5 Inspect what you expect
13.6 Summary
References
CH014.pdf
Chapter 14 Ergonomics in a laser lab, you must be joking
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Lab ergonomics, reaching across the table
14.3 Typical work activities and posture
14.3.1 Do you have back pain?
14.4 Getting higher
14.5 Standing around
14.6 Weight/lifting
14.7 Vertical breadboard
14.8 Work hours
14.9 Concluding thoughts
CH015.pdf
Chapter 15 Laser safety tools: making your life better for less
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Carbon resin lightweight breadboards
15.3 Vertical breadboards
15.4 Black AL foil
15.5 Diffuse reflection material
15.6 Indirect laser beam viewing tools
15.6.1 Laminated IR viewing cards
15.6.2 IR viewers
15.6.3 Hands-free IR viewer
15.6.4 CCD/webcam
15.7 Beam blocks
15.7.1 Unsecured beam blocks
15.7.2 Home-made beam blocks
15.8 Beam dump
15.9 Polycarbonate sheets
15.10 Plastic laser enclosures
15.11 Metal laser enclosures, table perimeter guards
15.12 Laser curtains
15.13 Laser protective eyewear
15.14 Piping insulation as shelf/head guard
15.15 Are there more products out there?
CH016.pdf
Chapter 16 Evaluation and design of laser barriers
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Laser barrier definition
16.3 Laser barriers—curtain style
16.3.1 Overview—laser barrier curtains
16.3.2 Laser barrier curtain materials
16.4 Barrier selection
16.4.1 Wavelength dependency
16.4.2 Permeability
16.4.3 Formability
16.4.4 Accessories
16.4.5 Particulates
16.4.6 Life safety
16.4.7 Other environmental needs
16.4.8 Aesthetics
16.5 Laser barrier curtain design
16.5.1 The ceiling
16.5.2 Height
16.5.3 Valance
16.5.4 The floor
16.5.5 Access and egress
16.5.6 Windows
16.6 Laser barriers—partition style
16.6.1 Overview—laser barrier partitions
16.7 Laser barrier partition design
16.8 Laser barriers for optical tables
16.9 Laser barriers for windows
16.10 Laser barriers at a doorway
16.10.1 Closed vestibule
16.10.2 Open vestibule
16.11 Final thoughts
CH017.pdf
Chapter 17 US and European test methodology for laser protective eyewear
17.1 Introduction
17.2 ANSI and the Z 136.7 test specification
17.2.1 Typical laser test setup
17.2.2 Laser saturation
17.3 DIN and the EN 207 test specification
17.3.1 Wavelength range considerations
17.3.2 Pulse width considerations
17.3.3 Laser parameters used in DIN EN 207
17.4 Performance of EN 207 specification
17.4.1 Significance of the read across
17.5 Conclusion
CH018.pdf
Chapter 18 Elements and considerations in designing and or selecting a room interlock system
18.1 Introduction
18.1.1 Hazard assessment
18.2 Minimal system for attended operation
18.3 Emergency shutoff button
18.4 Basic interlock circuit
18.5 Shutter placement
18.6 Interlocks for unattended operation
18.7 Exit vs. emergency exit
18.8 Reach back cascade
18.9 Design considerations for interlock systems
18.10 Complex interlock systems
18.11 Configuration control
CH019.pdf
Chapter 19 Considerations when specifying laser eyewear for ultrafast applications
19.1 Brief overview short pulse lasers
19.2 Unanticipated laser hazards associated with ultrafast lasers
19.2.1 Absorption in organic molecules
19.2.2 Saturation at short pulse widths
19.3 EN 207, EN 11254 and the relevance of the ‘M’ rating
19.4 Conclusion
References
CH020.pdf
Chapter 20 Paperwork considerations (not documented, not done)
20.1 Introduction
20.2 ISO 9001, just a quick word
20.3 Record retention
20.4 Training records
20.4.1 On-the-job training records
20.5 Standard operating procedures
20.6 Audit records
20.7 Laser safety chapter
20.8 Accuracy of warning and contact signs and postings
20.9 Alignment eyewear approval
20.10 Temporary authorization/temporary work authorization
20.11 Interlock checks
20.12 Conclusion
CH021.pdf
Chapter 21 Explaining engineering control measures found in standards
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Engineering controls
21.2.1 Protective housing
21.2.2 Interlocks on removable PH
21.2.3 Service access panel
21.2.4 Key control
21.2.5 Collecting optics
21.2.6 Area warning device
21.2.7 Laser radiation emission warning (usually visible)
21.2.8 Emergency conditions
21.2.9 Class 4 entryway controls
21.2.10 Non-defeatable approach
21.2.11 Defeatable controls
21.2.12 Administrative control
21.3 Conclusion
CH022.pdf
Chapter 22 Illuminated sign, a closer look
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Lighting source
22.3 Placement
22.4 Color has meaning
22.4.1 A green light
22.4.2 A yellow light
22.4.3 A red light
22.5 Illuminated warning sign, ANSI or IEC style
22.6 Multiple lasers in one room
22.7 Conclusion
CH023.pdf
Chapter 23 Dye laser, hazards and good practice for safe use
23.1 Introduction
23.2 Dyes and solutions
23.3 Preparation for dye work
23.4 Supervisor and staff responsibilities
23.4.1 Equipment, concerns
23.5 Real work rules
23.5.1 Protect yourself
23.6 If there is a spill
23.7 More on dyes
23.8 Laser dye/solvent control classes
CH024.pdf
Chapter 24 Laser disposal, end of life cycle thoughts, hospice for your laser
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Why should you care?
24.3 E-waste
24.4 What are my responsibilities?
24.5 Questions for the user
24.6 User responsibilities
24.7 Questions for hazardous waste transporter or handler
24.8 Questions for surplus receiver
24.9 General approaches to laser disposal
24.10 Power supplies
24.11 Optics
24.12 Dye lasers
24.12.1 Active concerns
24.12.2 Disposal
24.13 Excimer lasers
24.13.1 Active concerns
24.13.2 Disposal
24.14 Diode/semiconductor lasers
24.14.1 Active concerns
24.14.2 Disposal
24.15 Diode/telecommunications laser systems
24.15.1 Active concerns
24.15.2 Disposal
24.16 Conclusion
CH025.pdf
Chapter 25 How are you dealing with these topics?
25.1 Chapter note
25.2 20 smart work practices—all are important, number sequence does not relate to safety or order of importance
25.3 Ventilation
25.4 Access control
25.5 Housekeeping/storage
25.6 Layout of optics
25.7 Periscope
25.8 Cable and hoses
25.9 Optics and cable identification
25.10 Pump diffuse scatter
25.11 Signage on entryway door
25.12 Beam tube braces
