Laser Safety

What is this about?	To protect persons from laser radiation and provide requirements for the user to establish procedures to ensure safe operation.
Who has to do it?	Anyone controlling or using a laser.
Why am I required to do this?	To prevent workplace incidents and injuries.
When do I have to do this?	When lasers are used for University purposes.
What do I do?	1. Identify the hazards 2. Assess the risks 3. Control the risks
More info...	Working with Lasers Guidelines Laser User Registration Form Laser Equipment Registration Form

The supervisor of the equipment and/or laboratory is to ensure that the following are in place:

1. The equipment housing the laser complies with the requirements of AS/NZS 2211.1 Safety of Laser products: Equipment classification, requirements and user's guide

2. The supervisor of the equipment has completed and provided a copy to the OHS Unit of the Laser Equipment Registration Form

3. A safe work procedure is available on SafetyNet for the laser equipment including all the requirements to work safely including compliance with AS/NZS 2211.1.

4. All users receive induction training for the equipment.

5. All users are deemed competent to use the equipment which housed the laser.

6. The supervisor of the laser equipment has completed and provided a copy to the OHS Unit of the Laser User Registration Form

7. Records are available to verify 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 above.

8. The entrances to areas or protective enclosures containing Class 3B and Class 4 laser products should be posted with appropriate warning signs.

Lasers are classed according to the hazard level with class 4 lasers being the highest. The power of the laser can be either in a continuous or pulsed mode, with a specified wavelength/colour. Class 4 lasers can cause significant damage to the human body and there are strict requirements for their use.

Class 4 lasers are required to have
- specific safety protocols including remote interlock
- Beam stop or attenuator
- Warning signs and labelling
- elimination of specular reflections
- use of eye protection where there is a potential eye hazard
- use of protective clothing
- requirement for Medical examination immediately if there is a suspected injury
- provision of appropriate training on safe use of equipment including maintenance
- safe work procedures for control of hazards

Considerations for Workshop and Laboratory design for class 4 lasers include
- no windows
- an area for storing protective eyewear
- key locks to prevent unauthorised and unprotected personnel from entering (which must be removed from the laser when not in use)
- a non-defeatable door interlock
- signs at entrance to lab
- laser beam path must be enclosed
- beams must be positively terminated
- laser work area must be free of unnecessary specular surfaces
- curtain materials must be fire resistant
- a clearly visible power cut-off switch which kills power to the laser
- a warning light must be located outside of the lab door to indicate when the laser if firing
- other controls as necessary

Need more information? Please call the OH&S Unit on extension 3931.