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Georgia Tech Laser Safety Training Script May 17, 2018

Contents Georgia Tech Laser Safety Training Tutorial Script, Part 1............................................................................ 1

Section 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................4

Slide 1.1: Welcome ............................................................................................................................... 4

Slide 1.2: Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4

Slide 1.3: Course Overview ................................................................................................................... 4

Section 2: Lasers and Laser Hazards ................................................................................................5

Slide 2.1: What is a Laser? .................................................................................................................... 5

Slide 2.2 Biological Laser Hazards - Eyes ............................................................................................... 6

Slide 2.3 Biological Laser Hazards - Skin ............................................................................................... 6

Slide 2.4 MPE & NHZ ............................................................................................................................. 7

Slide 2.5 Laser Reflections..................................................................................................................... 7

Slide 2.6 Laser Classifications ................................................................................................................ 8

Slide 2.7 Laser Hazards – Non-Beam Hazards ....................................................................................... 9

Slide 2.8 Laser Hazards – Non-Beam Hazard Assistance .................................................................... 10

Slide 2.9 Laser Hazards - Laser Disposal & Sales ................................................................................. 10

Slide 2.9 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 11

Slide 2.10 Test Yourself ....................................................................................................................... 11

Slide 2.11 Test Yourself ....................................................................................................................... 12

Slide 2.12 Test Yourself ....................................................................................................................... 12

Slide 2.13 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 12

Section 3: The Laser Safety Program ............................................................................................. 13

Slide 3.1 Laser Policies, Standards and Regulations ........................................................................... 13

Slide 3.2: Georgia Tech’s Laser Safety Program .................................................................................. 13

Slide 3.3: Laser Safety Program Roles ................................................................................................. 14

Slide 3.4: Becoming a Laser User or Laser Supervisor ........................................................................ 16

Slide 3.5: Laser Safety Training Requirements .................................................................................... 16

Slide 3.6: Test yourself (VO does not read test questions- in green) ................................................. 16

Slide 3.7 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 17

Slide 3.8 – Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 17

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Engineering Controls .................................................................................................................... 18

Slide 4.1 Introducing Control Measures ............................................................................................. 18

Slide 4.2 Basic Engineering Controls in the Lab .................................................................................. 18

Slide 4.3 Additional Controls for Class 4 Labs ..................................................................................... 20

Slide 4.4 Embedded Systems .............................................................................................................. 21

Slide 4.5 Engineering Controls for Embedded Systems ...................................................................... 21

Slide 4.6 Engineering Controls for Supplemental Devices .................................................................. 22

Slide 4.7 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 23

Slide 4.8 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 23

Slide 4.9 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 23

Slide 4.10 – Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 24

Administrative Controls ................................................................................................................ 25

Slide 5.1 Introducing Administrative Controls .................................................................................... 25

Slide 5.2 Area Warning Signs .............................................................................................................. 25

Slide 5.3 Standard Operating Procedures ........................................................................................... 27

Slide 5.4 Alignment Procedures .......................................................................................................... 27

Slide 5.5 Spectators in Laser Labs ....................................................................................................... 28

Slide 5.6 Outdoor Laser Use ................................................................................................................ 28

Slide 5.7 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 28

Slide 5.8 Test Yourself ........................................................................................................................ 29

Slide 5.9 – Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 29

PPE .............................................................................................................................................. 30

Slide 6.1 Introducing PPE .................................................................................................................... 30

Slide 6.2 Laser Eye Protection ............................................................................................................. 30

Slide 6.3 OD and VLT ........................................................................................................................... 30

Slide 6.4 LEP Tips ................................................................................................................................. 31

Slide 6.5 Skin Protection ..................................................................................................................... 31

Slide 6.6 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 31

Slide 6.7 Test Yourself ......................................................................................................................... 32

Slide 6.9 – Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 32

Emergencies and Incidents ........................................................................................................... 33

Slide 7.1 Emergency ............................................................................................................................ 33

Slide 7.2 Laser Accident - Causes ........................................................................................................ 33

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Slide 7.3 Emergency Procedures ......................................................................................................... 34

Slide 7.4 Reporting an Incident ........................................................................................................... 34

Slide 7.5 – Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 34

Exam and Next Steps .................................................................................................................... 35

Slide 8.1 Exam (Need to get questions from Gary) ............................................................................. 35

Slide 8.2 Congratulations .................................................................................................................... 35

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Section 1: Introduction Slide 1.1: Welcome Welcome to Georgia Tech’s online Laser Safety course. Click Next when you’re ready to begin.

Slide 1.2: Introduction Depictions of lasers have been prevalent in pop-culture for decades. They’re a recurring staple in action and science fiction films, and are often employed as a means of entertainment or diversion. These common reference points may leave you with the impression that lasers are fairly innocuous, or not to be taken seriously, but both of those impressions would be mistaken.

In reality, lasers play a vital, functional role in many of the devices that define our modern life. The unique properties and capabilities of lasers and laser systems make them an integral part of Georgia Tech’s cutting-edge research and instruction. But we must remember, at all times, that these lasers can be dangerous if not properly managed and operated.

Click Next to learn more.

Slide 1.3: Course Overview This training is designed to instill the knowledge and skills you need to safely work with lasers, while meeting the training requirements stipulated by the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program.

Upon completing the tutorial, you will be able to:

Understand the basic working principles of laser devices and their potential risks, as well as the laser safety resources available and requirements in place at Georgia Tech.

Reduce the risk of an incident by applying the appropriate control measures to Class 3B, Class 4 and Embedded lasers.

Identify and avoid common laser safety mistakes, such as using ignitable material as a laser barrier, using non-laser rated eyewear, and more.

Respond appropriately to laser related emergencies

At the end of the tutorial, you will test your laser safety knowledge with a comprehensive exam. You must score 70% or higher to successfully complete the Assessment and receive credit for completing this training program.

Click Next when you are ready to start module 1, Lasers and Laser Hazards.

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Section 2: Lasers and Laser Hazards Slide 2.1: What is a Laser? Before we discuss laser safety requirements and safe practices, it might be helpful to establish just what a laser is.

The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, and that actually sums up how they work quite well. A basic laser device includes an optical cavity with the following components:

• A pumping system, like a flash lamp, that supplies the initial light. • A lasing medium, like crystals or gas, which amplifies the light at a particular wavelength. • And carefully placed mirrors, which facilitate the amplification of the photons emitted by

the lasing medium and provide an emission path direction.

First, the pumping system initiates the emission of photons within the lasing medium.

The photons bounce back and forth between the mirrors within the laser cavity, creating additional photons each time they pass through the lasing medium, a process known as “stimulated emission.”

One of these mirrored surfaces is partially transparent, allowing some of the bouncing photons to escape. The result is a narrow beam of light, made up of identical photons: the laser beam!

This narrow beam of light is different than regular light in that the photons are coherent, or in phase, highly directional with low divergence, and essentially monochromatic (some lasers are tunable or can emit a number of discrete wavelengths simultaneously). These properties are what make lasers very useful but are also what lead to intense concentrations of invisible or visible light that can damage the eyes and skin.

Do you know which lasers you have in your laboratory?

Lasers are often defined or named according to the lasing medium they employ. Different lasing media result in the emission of different wavelengths.

Common laser types include Nd:YAG (neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet), He-Ne (helium neon), He-Cd (helium cadium), Semiconductor Diodes, Ti:Sapphire (titanium sapphire), CO2 (carbon dioxide), Argon Ion, Dye, Excimer, and Yb Fiber (ytterbium fiber).

Lasers are also characterized by the duration of the laser emission. These are generally referred to as continuous wave (or CW) or pulsed.

Take a moment to review the following typical categories of emission duration. Then click next to continue.

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CONTINUOUS WAVE (CW) lasers operate with a stable average beam power. In most higher-power systems the power is adjustable. In low power gas lasers, such as He-Ne, the power level is fixed by design and performance usually degrades with long term use.

SINGLE PULSED lasers generally have pulse durations of microseconds to a few milliseconds.

REPETITIVELY PULSED lasers generally involve pulse rates of a few Hertz to thousands of Hertz.

PULSED Q-SWITCHED lasers are the result of an intracavity delay (Q-switch cell) which allows the laser media to store a maximum of energy. Then, under optimum gain conditions, emission occurs in a high peak power pulse.

MODE LOCKED lasers usually produce a train of regularly spaced pulses, each having a duration of femto- to pico-seconds. A mode-locked laser can deliver extremely high peak powers.

Slide 2.2 Biological Laser Hazards - Eyes The most common hazards will now be discussed – eye and skin exposure. Some of the images you are about to see may be unsettling, showing eye damage due to laser exposure. When you have a healthy respect for lasers, you minimize the likelihood of these injuries occurring to you.

Eye injury, of the kind shown here, is the primary concern for human exposure to lasers. Such exposure can result in temporary or even permanent vision loss.

A laser’s damage to the eye can be caused by thermal and/or photochemical mechanisms, and different portions of the eye will be impacted depending on the laser’s wavelength.

• Mid- and Far-IR and Mid- and Far-UV will impact the cornea as shown in this diagram. The IR wavelengths will burn the cornea while the UV wavelengths will cause acute inflammation, conjunctivitis, and/or clouding of the cornea. The images here show a CO2 laser burn to the cornea of a rabbit, and UV laser induced corneal cloudiness on a human eye.

• Near UV radiation will impact the lens of the eye, as depicted in this diagram, and cause the development of cataracts. The image here displays a UV induced lens cataract.

• Near infrared and visible light will impact the retina, as shown in this diagram, and can cause thermal damage, hemorrhaging, blind spots and photo retinitis. A retinal burn is shown in this image.

These images show how hazardous lasers can be. Hopefully, with the right safety precautions in place, they’ll never apply to you. Your eyes, however, aren’t the only thing you need to protect. Click next to learn more.

Slide 2.3 Biological Laser Hazards - Skin The skin is the largest organ of the human body, which gives it the greatest risk of coming in contact with a laser beam. The most likely skin surfaces to be exposed are the hands, arms, or head, where burns can occur from exposure to near UV, visible, and IR wavelengths.

Similar to the eye, lasers can harm the skin via photochemical or thermal burns. Depending on the wavelength, the beam may penetrate either the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and the dermis beneath, or just the epidermis.

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• Reddening similar to sunburn, known as erythema, blistering, and burning of the tissue are all possible from exposure to UV, visible, and IR wavelengths.

• In addition to erythema and blistering, exposure to Far- and Mid-UV may result in premature aging of the skin and an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Critical to your understanding of both eye and skin hazards are two acronyms, MPE & NHZ, which will play a recurring role in the remainder of this tutorial. Click next to learn more about these two important concepts.

Slide 2.4 MPE & NHZ To identify the level of a potential laser hazard and implement the appropriate control measures, there are two key factors that you must know. These are:

• the Maximum Permissible Exposure limit, or MPE, for the laser wavelength in use, and

• The Nominal Hazard Zone, or NHZ, for the laser.

The MPE is the maximum level of laser radiation an unprotected person can be exposed to without adverse biological changes to the eye or skin. The MPE varies based on the wavelength of the laser, the exposure duration, whether the laser is continuous wave or pulsed and, for retinal exposure, whether the beam is a point source or extended source. The MPE is used in determining the Optical Density (OD) needed for Laser Eye Protection (LEP), as you’ll see in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) section of this tutorial. It is also used to determine the Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ) around the laser.

The NHZ is the area in which direct, reflected or scattered laser light may exceed the MPE. This area will be greatly affected by the configuration of the laser or laser system within the lab. For example, the effective use of laser rated barriers can reduce the laser’s NHZ.

The Laser Safety Officer (or LSO) will determine the applicable MPE and NHZ. Click next to learn more about how different types of laser reflections impact the NHZ.

Slide 2.5 Laser Reflections Laser beams are governed by the properties of light and radiation, including the laws of reflection. An understanding of how a beam will react when it hits a particular surface can be critical in determining the NHZ and, therefore, in determining the appropriate control measures to reduce your risk of exposure over the MPE.

The two principle types of reflection are specular and diffuse. Specular, or mirror-like, reflections occur whenever the beam strikes a surface with imperfections smaller than its wavelength. The beam is reflected back at an equal angle, with intensity essentially equal to the incident beam. Be sure to remove jewelry and watches prior to laser use as these often pose a specular reflection hazard.

Diffuse reflections, on the other hand, occur when the beam wavelength is shorter than the surface imperfections. Diffuse reflections follow the cosine law of reflection and the reflected beam intensity will be less than the incident beam.

Typically, the risk is diminished when the beam diffusely reflects off a surface, and preserved when it hits a specularly reflecting surface, potentially extending the risk to new areas. It is important to note,

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that specular surfaces may or may not appear mirror-like to the human eye. IR wavelengths, for example, can have specular reflections on surfaces that would not be specular for visible beams.

How intense a beam remains after a specular or diffuse reflection is one of the key factors in understanding the relative hazard of different laser classes. Click Next to learn more about the seven laser classes, and the properties you should understand for each.

Slide 2.6 Laser Classifications Lasers are classified according to the laser radiation that is accessible during normal operation, and the associated hazards it poses. There are currently seven laser classes defined in the ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers Standard, which we’ll discuss later in the tutorial. These classifications also conform to the international classification system defined by the IEC.

Class 3B and 4 lasers pose the highest potential for injury and damage and will be the focus for the majority of this tutorial. However, you may interact with lasers from any of these seven classes in your work at Georgia Tech. Take a moment to review the seven categories shown here to learn more about each. Click Next when you are ready to continue.

• Class 1 Incapable of producing damaging radiation levels during operation. This class includes lasers previously classified as 2A.

• Class 1M Incapable of producing damaging radiation levels during operation, unless the beam is viewed through magnifying optical aids.

• Class 2 Harmless for accidental viewing based on the power level and the protection of the human aversion response. Because these lasers only emit in visible wavelengths, the human eye is able to protect itself from damage by blinking or turning away from the bright light.

• Class 2M Emit in the visible wavelength, and are considered harmless for accidental viewing unless the beam is viewed through magnifying optical aids.

• Class 3R Pose potential hazards in the case of direct viewing or specular reflection if the eye is focused and stable. Includes laser pointers of the type used for presentation and lasers previously classified as 3a. This class is not included in the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program. However, a “Laser Pointer Safety” document is available on the EHS website

• Class 3B Pose ocular hazards when viewed directly or as a specular reflection, but not typically hazardous as a diffuse reflection. These lasers are not considered a fire hazard or the source of laser generated air contaminants (LGAC)

• Class 4 These high-powered lasers pose a wide range of hazards, including ocular damage from both specular and diffuse reflections. Class 4 lasers are also powerful enough to ignite materials and can be a source of laser generated air contaminants and plasma radiation hazards, as we’ll discuss on the following slide.

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With a thorough understanding of and respect for MPE and NHZ, the laws of reflection, the seven laser classifications, and implementing the control measures to be introduced later in this training, your skin and eyes should remain safe in the lab. However, there are also some non-beam hazards that you must be aware of. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 2.7 Laser Hazards – Non-Beam Hazards The laser beam isn’t the only potential hazard in a laser lab. There are numerous potential non-beam hazards that need to receive proper attention. The most immediately dangerous of the non-beam hazards is the high voltage associated with laser operation. The only documented fatalities from laser use are by electrocution from the high voltage. It is imperative that access to high voltage components be appropriately restricted and in accordance with recognized safety standards.

Besides electrical hazards, there can also be hazards due to: non-laser radiation, fire, explosion, noise, fiber optic fragments, nanoparticles, chemical agents, laser generated air contaminants (LGAC) and many others. Please take a moment to review this list of potential non-beam hazards, and then click next when you are ready to continue.

• Physical Agents Electrical Hazards

Electric shock Resistive Heating Electric Spark Ignition of Flammable Materials Arc Flash

Non-Laser Radiation (NLR) Radiofrequency Radiation Flashlamp Light Leakage X-Rays from High Voltage Equipment

Fire Hazards Materials likely to be exposed to irradiances above 10 W/cm2 Materials likely to be exposed to beam powers exceeded 0.5 W Irradiances above 0.5 W/cm2 (per NFPA)

Explosion Hazards High pressure arc lamps Filament lamps Capacitor banks

Noise Fiber Optic Fragment Hazards Nanoparticles

• Chemical Agents Compressed Gases Laser Dyes and Solvents

• Laser Generated Air Contaminants (LGAC) Chemical air contaminants released when a beam interacts with a material Airborne infectious material that results from beam interaction with tissue or samples

• Miscellaneous Non‐beam Hazards Laser-related waste (disposal of dyes, solvents, smoke filters, etc.) Degradation/Malfunction of Laser Cooling Systems Violating Building Codes (local fire codes, ventilation controls, chemical storage, etc.)

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Slide 2.8 Laser Hazards – Non-Beam Hazard Assistance The majority of this tutorial will focus on the steps you can take to address the direct biological hazards of laser beam exposure. However, it is equally important that you are aware of and able to address the non-beam hazards listed on the previous slide.

Should you have questions regarding any potential non-beam hazards, please contact the LSO or any of the other appropriate Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) contacts listed here. Click Next when you are ready to conclude this module and continue learning.

• EHS Contacts o Lab and Chemical Safety Manager

Chemicals, compressed gases, air contaminants o Biosafety Officer/Environmental Health Manager

Biological/infectious substances o Fire Marshal

Fire safety o Hazardous Materials Manager

Hazardous waste o General Safety Manager

Electrical and mechanical hazards, noise o Radiation Safety Officer

X-ray, EMF, UV, plasma

Slide 2.9 Laser Hazards - Laser Disposal & Sales Lasers, as discussed throughout this tutorial, can be dangerous tools in untrained hands. They may also contain materials and substances that can be hazardous if improperly handled. To reduce these risks when a laser is no longer needed, Laser Supervisors are required to notify the LSO before disposing of or selling a Class 3B, Class 4, or Embedded laser system.

Move your mouse over the two headings shown here to review specific guidelines for disposing or selling a laser, and then click Next when you are ready to continue.

Laser Disposal

1. Notify the LSO prior to laser disposal or surplus.

2. Contact Georgia Tech Logistics to determine the appropriate surplus disposal procedure. Options may include:

a. Return to manufacturer

b. Return to vendor for credit

c. Send to resale vendor

d. Public auction

e. Department transfer

f. Discarding as junk.

NOTE: Refer to Section 9 of the Laser Safety Policy Manual for detailed guidance on specific disposal methods.

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3. If discarding as junk or being offered via public auction, the laser must be rendered inoperable by removing the means of activation.

4. For any method other than department transfer, any hazardous materials within the laser must be identified and properly disposed.

NOTE: Contact Georgia Tech’s EHS Hazardous Materials Manager for assistance with disposing of any hazardous materials.

Laser Sales If a laser is built or modified in-house with the intention of selling to an entity outside of Georgia Tech, the Laser Supervisor is considered a manufacturer according to FDA regulations. This requires a few additional controls.

1. The laser must be certified according to FDA laser product regulations.

2. The product report must be submitted to the FDA prior to the sale.

Contact the LSO for guidance.

Slide 2.9 Test Yourself For which part of the human body does laser beam injury cause the most concern?

a. Ear

b. Eye

c. Foot

d. All of it

Correct Answer: b. Eye.

Slide 2.10 Test Yourself Only visible laser wavelengths can damage the retina and cause permanent vision damage. True or false?

a. True

b. False

Correct Answer: b. False. The retinal hazard region includes all visible wavelengths and extends into the infrared region up to 1400 nm.

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Slide 2.11 Test Yourself What can you say about the following illustration?

A. It represents a specular reflection. B. The angle of reflection equals the

angle of incidence. C. The beam intensity is not diminished. D. All of the above.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. A specular reflection occurs whenever a laser contacts a surface where the imperfections are smaller than the beam’s wavelength. Such surfaces may or may not appear mirror-like to the naked eye. They do not diminish the hazard of the beam.

Slide 2.12 Test Yourself Class 4 lasers pose a hazard under which beam conditions?

a. Direct beam

b. Specular reflection

c. Diffuse reflection

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

Correct Answer: d. All of the above. Exposure to the direct, specularly reflected and diffusely reflected beam can all be hazardous from a Class 4 laser

Slide 2.13 Conclusion In this module, you’ve learned about the potential biological and non-beam hazards that a functioning laser can pose. In the next module, The Laser Safety Program, you’ll learn about the regulatory policies and procedures that have been put in place to help mitigate these risks. Click Next when you’re ready to get started.

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Section 3: The Laser Safety Program Slide 3.1 Laser Policies, Standards and Regulations To address the specific risks posed by lasers in the lab and the workspace, a number of agencies and governing bodies have issued requirements and guidelines for the safe operation of lasers. Of principle application for Georgia Tech are the ANSI Z136 Standards, the State of Georgia Laser Regulations, and Georgia Tech’s Laser Safety Policy Manual. Click the tabs at the top of this page to learn more about each, and then click Next when you are ready to see how these policies are put into action at Georgia Tech.

ANSI Z136 Standards State of Georgia Laser Regulations

Georgia Tech’s Laser Safety Policy Manual

The ANSI Z136 standards provide guidance for the safe use of lasers across a variety of organizations and industries. The standards are recognized by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and are followed by leading research institutions and industrial facilities around the nation. The primary ANSI standards referenced by the GT Laser Safety Program are:

• Z136.1, Safe Use of Lasers

• Z136.8, Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development, and Testing

In addition to laser hazard controls prescribed in the ANSI standard, the institute has regulatory obligations to the Georgia Department of Community Health. Requirements include:

• Registration of lasers • Reporting of laser-

related injuries • Reporting of laser

disposal The LSO at Georgia Tech is responsible for this reporting based on information communicated by Laser Supervisors.

The Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program and its defining policy have been created to help ensure that no individual receives excessive laser exposure to the eyes or skin. An additional objective is to ensure adequate protection against non-beam hazards. Click here to view and bookmark the full policy manual.

Slide 3.2: Georgia Tech’s Laser Safety Program To comply with all applicable regulations and avoid the personal and financial risks that laser misuse could cause, Georgia Tech has established a Laser Safety Committee (LSC) to create and oversee a robust Laser Safety Program across Georgia Tech.

The primary goals of the Laser Safety Program are:

• To ensure all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and lower class systems containing embedded Class 3B and Class 4 lasers be operated in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136 series of standards.

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• To ensure that laser possession, disposal, and injury are reported according to the State of Georgia regulations.

• To ensure that all personnel using lasers receive laser safety training, operational training, and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Achieving these program goals is a responsibility shared by EHS, researchers, research support staff, students, lab managers, building managers, department chairs, and deans – among others. By the numbers we have:

• Nearly 300 Class 4 Lasers

• Nearly 200 Class 3B Lasers

• and Nearly 50 Embedded lasers

These lasers are supervised by 90 Laser Supervisors,

• Across 18 departments

• and 28 buildings!

Keeping all of these lasers monitored and managed requires a carefully defined organizational structure, with four distinct roles. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 3.3: Laser Safety Program Roles As you can see, the Laser Safety Program at Georgia Tech relies on the cooperation of individuals and teams from a number of different roles. Take a moment to review each program role and consider your relationship with each. If you work with multiple lasers and labs, you may find that you serve multiple roles. For example, you may be a Laser Supervisor for one laser, and a Laser User for the next.

When you’re finished reviewing the structure and the definition of its roles, click Next to continue.

(Using Articulate Storyline to create a dynamic organization chart. Hover over each role and the definition will pop up.)

Laser Safety Committee The Laser Safety Committee has been given the authority to establish, maintain, and enforce policies, procedures and other guidance for the control of laser hazards in all academic and research departments. The LSC also has the authority to suspend, restrict, or terminate a laser operation as

Laser Safety Committee

Laser Safety Officer

Laser Supervisor

Laser User

Laser User

Laser Supervior

Laser User

Laser User

Laser User

Laser User

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needed. The membership of the Committee is representative of the multidisciplinary Georgia Tech laser end users and EHS safety staff.

Laser Safety Officer The LSO is appointed by the Director of EHS and the Radiation Safety Officer (or RSO). The responsibilities of the LSO include training, laser registration, laser program documentation, hazard evaluation, and injury investigation and reporting. The LSO is a member of the Laser Safety Committee and is responsible for communicating laser program activities and providing program recommendations. The LSO has the authority to monitor and enforce the control of laser hazards and to suspend, restrict, or terminate a laser operation as needed.

Any questions you have concerning the Laser Safety Program or laser safety in general can be directed to the LSO. The LSO’s contact information appears at the end of the presentation.

Laser Supervisor The Laser Supervisor is a full-time faculty or staff member, not a student or graduate student, with supervisory control of a given laser. He or she is responsible for:

• Notifying the LSO of acquisition of a Class 3B, Class 4, or Embedded laser system, or any laser relocation, disposal, or laser laboratory renovation.

• Registering these lasers by submitting Laser Registration Form LR-1 to the LSO.

• Establishing a written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each Class 3B and Class 4 laser supervised, and ensuring that the SOPs are available for and followed by all Laser Users in the lab.

• Providing operational training for all Laser Users under his or her supervision

• Taking appropriate action, including notification of the LSO, following any known or suspected laser incident.

• Understanding and complying with the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program, and ensuring that all members of the laser lab receive and complete the appropriate training. Detailed training requirements will be provided on the following slide.

Laser User A Laser User is any individual that operates Class 3B or 4 lasers or maintains/services Class 3B, 4, or Embedded lasers under the supervision of a Laser Supervisor(s). A Laser User is responsible for:

• Complying with the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Program.

• Obtaining operational training from the Laser Supervisor and following the established SOP.

• Informing the Laser Supervisor or LSO of any unsafe working conditions, or of any known or suspected laser incidents.

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Slide 3.4: Becoming a Laser User or Laser Supervisor The first step to becoming a registered Laser User or Laser Supervisor is to complete this training course. In addition, both users and supervisors must complete the appropriate online registraton form prior to any laser use. The Laser User completes Form LU-1, Laser User Registration, and the Laser Supervisor completes Form LS-1, Laser Supervisor Registration. These forms are available at the link shown here (https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/radiation/laser/documents). Please follow the submission instructions provided by the online form.

The only exception to these training and registration rules is made for individuals who will only operate Embedded lasers under normal operating conditions. Such users do not need to complete the online laser safety training tutorial or register as Laser Users. This exception does not apply to Laser Supervisors. Laser Supervisors of Class 3B, 4, and Embedded systems always complete training and register with Form LS-1.

In addition to the form and this tutorial, there are a few additional training resources that you may need to be aware of. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 3.5: Laser Safety Training Requirements Depending on your role, and the type of lasers you interact with, you may have additional training to complete or provide. Take a moment to review the table shown here, and be sure to contact the LSO if you have any questions regarding your requirements. When you’re finished reviewing, click Next to continue.

Class 3B Class 4 Embedded Laser Safety Training Laser Supervisors and Laser Users Laser Supervisors and anyone that will

conduct maintenance or service Operational Training Laser Supervisors or their designee

are required to provide operational training to their Laser Users for each laser system to be used.

Laser Supervisors or their designee are required to provide operational training to anyone that will operate an Embedded laser system under normal conditions.

Refresher Laser Safety Training

All Laser Supervisors and Laser Users required to take this initial online laser safety training must complete a refresher training every other year. The LSO will notify individuals by e-mail when refresher training is due.

Laser Awareness Training

Frequently a laser laboratory will have occupants that do not actually use the lasers. Laser Supervisors must ensure that these individuals complete laser awareness training. The information on how to access the awareness training is available at the EHS website.

Slide 3.6: Test yourself (VO does not read test questions- in green) After completing laser safety training, all Laser Supervisors must complete and submit which of the following forms?

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o Laser User Registration (LU-1) o Laser Supervisor Registration (LS-1) o Laser Exposure Request (LE-1) o Lightsaber Registration (LT-1)

Correct Answer: b. Laser Supervisor Registration (LS-1)

All laser supervisors must complete and submit Form LS-1, the Laser Supervisor Registration form.

Slide 3.7 Test Yourself What are the responsibilities of the Laser Supervisor?

a. Establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

b. Reporting the acquisition, renovation, or relocation of a laser.

c. Ensuring all Laser Users within his or her lab are provided with operational training.

d. All of the Above.

Correct Answer: D. The Laser Supervisor’s Responsibilities include all of the above.

Slide 3.8 – Conclusion The Laser Safety Program that we’ve outlined in this section of the module is designed to help keep you safe by:

• Describing the appropriate engineering and administrative controls for each laser lab. • Establishing PPE requirements. • Providing processes and resources that can help in the event of a laser emergency or incident.

The remaining four modules of this course will address each of these important safe-guards, giving you the tools and knowledge you need to advance the cause of laser safety on campus. Click next when you are ready to continue.

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Engineering Controls Slide 4.1 Introducing Control Measures As you’ve seen in this course, lasers can pose a serious hazard to eyes and skin whenever the MPE is exceeded. Control measures, as defined in the ANSI standards, are the steps taken to reduce the risk of such exposures, as well as non-beam hazards. The control measures for a given setup may change depending on how it is being used. For our purposes, laser use is defined as operation, maintenance, or service activities.

Control measures fall into one of three major categories:

• Engineering Controls • Administrative or Procedural Controls • And PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment

While all three are important and will be discussed throughout the remainder of this tutorial, the proper Engineering Controls can reduce or eliminate many laser risks at their source and should be considered first. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 4.2 Basic Engineering Controls in the Lab Engineering controls include any material, device, or structure that has been built or installed for the purpose of reducing the risk of laser exposure. Basic Engineering controls, applying to both Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, include:

• The laser’s protective housing. Whether built-in by the vendor or custom-built by the user, this serves to prevent active laser radiation escaping except from the intended emission aperture.

• Equipment warning labels • Controlling the beam path • Laser Barriers, made of appropriate, non-ignitable materials, which prevent exposure by

controlling direct and reflected beams paths, and the transmission of beams through lab windows

Take a moment to explore the four basic Engineering Controls shown here, and then click Next when you are ready to learn about a few additional controls that are instituted for Class 4 laser labs.

PROTECTIVE HOUSING The first engineering control requirement for a Class 3B or 4 laser is the presence of a protective housing. Basic examples include the cylinder or box that encloses the laser’s optical cavity and light pump. While fail-safe housing interlocks are not always required, service access panels on the protective housing are required to be interlocked or a tool must be required to remove the service panel. If the interlock can be defeated or a tool is required to open the service panel with no interlock present, the housing must be clearly marked with an appropriate warning statement.

If your laser has no protective housing, consult the LSO for the specification of alternate control measures.

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EQUIPMENT LABELS All Class 3B and 4 lasers must have the appropriate laser equipment labels on both the housing and any separate control. If the housing and the control are less than 2 meters apart, only one is required to have the label. If the beam travels an extended distance, the beam conduit must be clearly labeled at 3 meter intervals. Examples of both the FDA and IEC laser classification and warning labels are shown here.

Additional labels indicate where the emission aperture(s) is located, and information about hazards present if a service panel or protective housing component is removed.

BEAM PATH CONTROL

Through the use of barriers and other mechanisms, beam paths can be made to varying degrees of open or enclosed. The degree to which a beam path is open or enclosed impacts the control measures needed.

• A fully open beam path includes nothing to impede or restrict the beam entirely to the laser setup.

• A limited open path includes enclosures at key locations to restrict the NHZ or prevent the beam from exposing nearby individuals.

• An enclosed path features enclosures that house the beam throughout its path.

In consultation with the LSO, it may be determined that some limited open paths, and many enclosed paths, meet the conditions for Class 1 operation. This means that some control measures may be safely relaxed in the lab, as determined by the LSO. However, this tutorial and additional operational training are still required for all users, as is an SOP that clearly defines the lab setup required to maintain Class 1 conditions.

LASER BARRIERS AND FILTERS

Laser Barriers are used to control direct and reflected beam paths to prevent unintended laser exposure. Barriers like curtains or rigid panels may be positioned to create bench-top enclosures, area enclosures, entryway enclosures or to block beam transmission through lab windows. The material used

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to create the barrier must be opaque to the wavelength in use or filter the wavelength such that the transmitted beam will not exceed the MPE.

As a general rule, all barrier and filtration material must be laser rated by the manufacturer. Laser rating ensures that the material has been verified to block or appropriately attenuate the wavelength in use, to specify the maximum beam power or energy per unit area the material can withstand (called the damage threshold), and to confirm that the material will not support combustion. This means that you shall not use cardboard, felt or any other readily ignitable material as a laser barrier. Instead, barriers shall be constructed from flame resistant/retardant material.

If the material has not already been tested and laser rated by the vendor, it may be tested in-house by the Laser Supervisor in conjunction with the LSO and according to the appropriate ANSI standards. The in-house testing shall not include the verification of flame resistance. This resistance must have been documented by the manufacturer.

Case-by-case exceptions to the use of barrier material described above are evaluated and shall be approved by the LSO.

Slide 4.3 Additional Controls for Class 4 Labs Because Class 4 lasers present the highest hazard levels, there are additional control measures that must be observed for any lab in which they are present:

• First, there must be an indicator on the laser control that lights when a laser is emitting radiation or is about to emit radiation.

• A red area warning light shall be visible at the entryway to the laser controlled area to alert those entering a lab that a laser is operating. Interlocks may also be installed at the entryway to deactivate laser emission upon entry by any new arrival.

• Whatever entryway controls are installed, the entryway configuration must allow rapid entry and egress in the event of an emergency.

• Finally, each Class 4 laser must include an easy-to-access Emergency Shutdown switch, clearly labelled “Emergency Shutdown for Laser.” We’ll discuss more about how to react in the event of an emergency a little later in this tutorial.

Remember, these Class 4 controls shall be instituted in addition to the basic engineering controls discussed on the previous slide.

Embedded laser systems generally pose less risk, but still require certain controls, especially during maintenance and repair. When you’re ready to explore the special definitions and engineering controls regarding these Embedded Systems, click Next.

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Slide 4.4 Embedded Systems An Embedded Laser System combines a fully enclosed path like that described above with interlocking features and other control measures to ensure that accessible radiation cannot exceed Class 1 levels in the course of normal operation. If a lid or door to the Embedded system is opened, for example, the interlocks would shut off the Class 3B or 4 laser radiation to maintain Class 1 status.

As a result, Embedded Systems are far safer, and require fewer additional control measures than any other 3B or 4 laser configuration. However, there are a few unique requirements that you should still be aware of. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 4.5 Engineering Controls for Embedded Systems As discussed on the previous slide, Embedded systems prevent exposure to dangerous laser levels by enclosing the beam path and incorporating interlocks and other mechanisms to prevent users from bypassing that enclosure. These requirements are clearly defined in the ANSI standards and are summarized as shown here:

– Embedded lasers shall have a protective housing that is interlocked with fail-safe or redundant interlocks. If the housing is opened or removed, the beam must be automatically interrupted to prevent exposure of an individual. [Z136.1-2014, 4.4.2.1.2 – Required Embedded]

– Only for Embedded systems being developed in-house, an acceptable alternative to the interlocked protective housing is a housing that requires a tool to remove and having an appropriate warning label on the panel/covering. [Z136.8-2012, 4.2.2 – Allowed Embedded]

Georgia Tech has many Embedded Lasers that meet these criteria, including:

• Laser Engravers • Laser Cutters • Lithography systems • And more.

Many of these systems contain a Class 3B or Class 4 laser, which means certain control measures must still be observed. For example:

• An Embedded system with a Class 3B or Class 4 laser requires the supervision of a trained and registered Laser Supervisor.

• If the system includes a viewing window, that window must possess a laser filter that reduces radiation to at or below the MPE.

Beyond these requirements, many other control measures are relaxed when working with an enclosed system under normal operating conditions. Routine users of Embedded systems are not typically required to take laser safety training, for example, unless they will be conducting maintenance or service on the system.

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During maintenance or service, everything changes. The enclosure may be opened during repair, maintenance or alignment processes, and the beam may become exposed. This requires the reinstatement of many of the controls we’ve already discussed, including but not limited to:

• Full laser training for all parties present during maintenance or service • Laser Barriers • Area Warning Lights • And PPE, like protective eyewear.

Always consult the LSO before conducting maintenance or repair on an Embedded system to ensure the proper controls are in place.

Click Next to learn about a few special controls that you’ll want to consider regarding other potential equipment that you might find in your laser lab.

Slide 4.6 Engineering Controls for Supplemental Devices Whether you are working with a Class 3B, Class 4, or Embedded Laser, you may occasionally utilize additional devices in your lab that can magnify your laser’s hazards.

Take a moment to review the devices shown here and the appropriate control measures for each. When you’ve finished reviewing all three, click Next to review a few key lessons from this section of the course

• Collecting Optics Whether used with Class 3B, Class 4, or Embedded Laser Systems, collecting optics can pose additional risks by redirecting the laser beam to the eye. When working with an optic device—including the confocal microscopes used in laser scanning and Raman microscopy systems—users must understand whether or not the laser radiation can be viewed directly through the microscope eyepiece, which may, in some cases, magnify the exposure. To prevent exposure to the eye above the MPE, collecting optics employ the following control measures:

o Interlocks, filters, attenuators or similar. o Any filters applied to the optics must be clearly labeled with the OD and wavelength to

which they apply.

• Scanning Devices Any Class 3B or 4 laser that uses a scanning mechanism shall incorporate a way to prevent laser emission if the scan mechanism fails.

• Fiber Optics Fiber optics are often used as part of a beam path, typically as a means of enclosing the beam. However, fiber optics pose their own unique risks. The NHZ from a fiber with a micro lens is similar to that of a collimated beam, and disconnection of a fiber can expose users to laser radiation above the MPE. To control these risks, laser labs that employ fiber optics must observe the following controls:

• Never look straight into the end of a fiber.

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• Always work with fiber optics as if they are active.

• If the MPE would be exceeded if the fiber were disconnected, tag or label the connector with a warning message, such as “Warning: Hazardous Laser Radiation When Disconnected.”

• Terminate all fibers into an instrument, or using end caps.

Additional guidelines are available in Section 5.4.2 of the Laser Safety Policy Manual

Slide 4.7 Test Yourself Laser hazard control measures are only required for Class 4 lasers.

a. True

b. False

Correct Answer: False. There are control measures required for both Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, as well as special measures for Embedded Systems, especially during maintenance and repair.

Slide 4.8 Test Yourself It’s okay to use cardboard as a laser barrier for a Class 4 laser.

a. True

b. False

Correct Answer: False. Class 4 lasers (and some higher power Class 3B lasers) are able to ignite materials like cardboard quite easily. Laser barriers for Class 4 lasers must be laser rated.

Slide 4.9 Test Yourself Which of the following measures can help reduce the risk of exposure to laser radiation above the MPE?

a. Laser barriers

b. Laser-rated filters on lab windows

c. Interlocks that shut off a laser when its housing is opened

d. Emergency shut-down switches

e. Area warning lights and signs

f. All of the above.

Correct Answer: All of the above. Georgia Tech labs employ a combination of these control measures to maximize user safety and reduce the risk of hazardous exposure above the MPE.

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Slide 4.10 – Conclusion In this module, you’ve learned about a number of engineering control measures that can help control the risks posed by your Class 3B, Class 4, or Embedded laser systems. These measures are often referred to as a first line of defense. If they are installed correctly, they can reduce or eliminate many laser hazards.

If these measures are insufficient, however, Administrative Controls and Personal Protective Equipment must be used to help ensure your safety. Click next when you are ready to learn more about these two important concepts and their impact on your lab.

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Administrative Controls Slide 5.1 Introducing Administrative Controls In addition to the engineering controls discussed in the previous section, administrative controls provide rules and procedures that further decrease the risk of an exposure over the MPE in the lab.

One important example of an administrative control, which we’ve already discussed in this tutorial, is user education. By completing the laser training required for your position, including this tutorial, you’ll learn to identify and address the common risks that lasers can pose, making you an essential component of your own safety. In this sense, knowledge gained through training is an Administrative Control. It is only those individuals that have completed training and documentation as mentioned earlier in this tutorial that are allowed to operate a laser. If you would like to review these requirements again, CLICK HERE.

Additional administrative controls required at Georgia Tech include:

• Area laser warning signs • Written SOPs for every Class 3B and Class 4 laser on campus, and for the maintenance and

service of Embedded lasers. • Written SOPs for laser alignments. • Procedures for spectators in laser labs. • Additional safety requirements for outdoor laser use, including laser light shows.

Click Next to learn more about each.

Slide 5.2 Area Warning Signs One of the most obvious indicators that a laser is present in a lab is the area laser warning sign posted at the entry of the lab or at the laser controlled area within a lab. These signs, when prepared properly, communicate vital information about the laser operations that take place. It is not usually sufficient to simply post the blank sign or stylized label a manufacturer has provided as part of a laser or laser curtain purchase. It is important that you obtain the sign from the LSO. The information included on the sign will indicate:

• The highest class of laser radiation present • The presence of visible and/or invisible wavelengths • LEP requirements including the emitted wavelengths and the fully protective OD the LEP must

possess • Basic contact information for the LSO • Other information as needed

Examples area laser warning signs in the current ANSI format appear below.

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Area laser warning signs may still appear in the prior ANSI format as shown below. A major difference between the two formats is that the word “DANGER” in the new format is used for only the highest powered Class 4 lasers, typically in the mult-kilowatt power range, and indicates that serious injury or death WILL occur if necessary control measures are not implemented. “WARNING” is used in the new format to mean that serious injury or death COULD occur without proper control measures. As the LSO gradually replaces the old format signs with the new, there will be very few that will need to indicate “DANGER”.

For areas that are not typically considered a Laser Controlled Area, like the area in which an Embedded laser cutter is used, laser warning signs are not posted. The exception is when maintenance or service is underway that allows the Class 3B or 4 laser to potentially escape the enclosure. This area would be considered a temporary laser controlled area and would need to be posted with the proper area laser warning sign AND the “NOTICE” posting pictured here.

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Slide 5.3 Standard Operating Procedures You may feel that you already know how to safely operate a laser in your area, but is every member of your lab equally confident and prepared? And what if you had to perform a procedure that you haven’t tried in some time… are you sure you can remember all the information you need to operate safely and effectively? In both of these cases, a written Standard Operating Procedure, or SOP, would help.

A written SOP is required for the operation, maintenance, and service of all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers on campus, and for the maintenance and service of Embedded lasers. A written SOP is strongly recommended for the operation of Embedded lasers as well.

An SOP should include:

• Basic information identifying the laser, its location, its intended function, and the operational parameters expected for its use, including:

o Power settings

o Wavelengths

o And pulsing characteristics

• If any parameter is routinely varied, note the range of values for that parameter.

• Additionally, the SOP should include the potential hazards expected for the laser, including both beam and non-beam hazards, and what control measures have been put in place to prevent them.

• Critically, the SOP should provide a step-by-step operating procedure for the laser, including a clear description of when and how to implement each control measure during use.

• Finally, the SOP should list the names of the Laser Supervisor and Laser Users, along with emergency contact information for those individuals, Georgia Tech Police and EHS.

An SOP template is available on the EHS website, to be used in conjunction with the guidelines for SOP development found in Appendix C of the Laser Safety Policy Manual. Take a moment to review this Appendix now, and then click Next when you are ready to continue.

Slide 5.4 Alignment Procedures In addition to the requirements discussed on the previous slide, a good SOP must also include a detailed Alignment Procedure.

Alignment activities often pose the greatest potential for laser exposure to the eye. In an example from right here at Georgia Tech, an injury occurred when an individual leaned forward during alignment to view the beam’s position on a viewing card. The user was a seasoned laser user, and knew to wear the proper eyewear when working with the laser. However, as the individual leaned in, the eyewear snagged on a power sensor that had not been moved out of the way. In the moment the glasses lifted from the individual’s head, specular reflections from invisible beams entered the eye. The laser radiation caused permanent retinal, leaving a blind spot in the visual field. A written procedure reminding the user to clear unneeded items out of the way may have helped prevent the exposure.

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To avoid similar incidents, Alignment Procedures must be carefully documented and observed. This may include the use of indirect visualization aids, like those shown here, and will certainly include the appropriate LEP.

As you create or revise your written Alignment Procedures, be sure to consult the guidelines found in Appendix H of the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Policy Manual. Take a moment to review this appendix now, and then click Next when you are ready continue.

Slide 5.5 Spectators in Laser Labs The addition of untrained spectators to a laser lab can enhance the likelihood of a laser incident. To avoid and mitigate these additional risks, spectators should not be allowed in Class 3B laser controlled areas, and shall not be allowed in Class 4 areas, unless:

• The Laser Supervisor has given approval for the visit

• Direct supervision is provided by an experienced, trained Laser User

• The hazard potential and how to avoid the hazard has been explained to the spectators, and

• Appropriate control measures are in place, including proper LEP for all in attendance.

Click next to learn about a few additional administrative controls that Georgia Tech employs to keep our community safe.

Slide 5.6 Outdoor Laser Use When lasers leave the lab, their NHZ may grow. If used irresponsibly, their hazards could impact both the operators and members of the public. As a result, control measures become even more essential, and more complex.

Outdoor laser use, for example, may require an application for approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and laser light shows or demonstrations using Class 3B and 4 lasers, in any location, must be reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To ensure these compliance requirements are met, please contact the LSO as soon as possible in the planning process. The LSO will conduct a laser hazard assessment and help implement the proper control measures to protect both the operators and the public.

Click Next when you are ready to conclude this section of the tutorial.

Slide 5.7 Test Yourself Written SOPs are required for the following activities:

a. Normal operation of Class 3B lasers

b. Normal operation of Class 4 lasers

c. Normal operation of Embedded lasers

d. Both a. and b.

e. Both a. and c.

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Correct Answer: d. SOPs are required for the normal operation of both Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, as well as maintenance and alignment of Embedded lasers.

Slide 5.8 Test Yourself For which of the following situations would it be required to contact the campus Laser Safety Officer (LSO)?

A. Disposing of a laser. B. Building a laser with the intention to sell. C. Planning a laser light show. D. All of the above.

Correct Answer: All of the above. All of these situations require additional administrative control measures. Contacting the LSO early is the best way to ensure that all requirements are met.

Slide 5.9 – Conclusion The administrative controls described in this section of the tutorial are intended to help ensure that best safety practices are consistently put into action by every laser user in every laser lab. After engineering and administrative controls have been implemented, remaining hazards are controlled by the use of proper PPE, or personal protective equipment.

Click next when you are ready to learn more about what you will use to protect your eyes and skin in an active laser area.

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PPE Slide 6.1 Introducing PPE Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, refers to the clothing items, eyewear, and other items worn by users to protect their eyes and skin from laser radiation. Click Next to learn more about both these PPE categories, beginning with a discussion of LEP, or Laser Eye Protection.

Slide 6.2 Laser Eye Protection Since the eyes are the organ most at risk for irrepairable damage from laser beam exposure, the right piece of LEP can be among the most critical of laser hazard safeguards. Use of appropriate eyewear is required for all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers. Eyewear is also required during the maintenance, repair, or alignment of any Embedded laser system.

Click Next to learn more about two critical LEP concepts—Optical Density (OD) and Visible Light Transmission—that can help to ensure you find the right eyewear to protect your vision in the lab.

Slide 6.3 OD and VLT The first rule of LEP is simple: always select the correct OD for the wavelength(s) present. In other words, the attenuation provided by the optical filter must be capable of reducing the intensity of the specific wavelength of the laser beam(s) in use to below the MPE. In a lab with multiple lasers present, multiple pieces of eyewear may need to be available and selected based on which laser is currently in use.

To ensure a correct match, all laser eyewear must have the manufacturer’s label indicating the OD and wavelength for which it is rated. Welding goggles and regular safety glasses are NOT appropriate laser eyewear. The LSO will determine the appropriate OD needs based on the specifications provided on the Laser Registration Form.

VLT% indicates the amount of visible light that can be transmitted through the eyewear while the indicated wavelength is blocked. In addition to ensuring the right OD for your laser, it is critical to purchase the eyewear with the best visible light transmission to ensure you can see clearly while conducting your work in the lab.

The right OD, with the highest possible VLT%, is the recipe for great LEP. Click next to review a few additional tips for working with this vital piece of PPE.

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Slide 6.4 LEP Tips To get the most of your LEP, observe the following tips:

• Inspect your eyewear regularly for pitting, crazing, cracking, or discoloration of the attenuating lens material.

• Clean your eyewear gently, without damaging the absorbing or reflecting surfaces.

• Store your laser eyewear where you can easily retrieve it and wear it before entering the lab, and use the information on the laser warning signs on the door to select the appropriate eyewear for the laser in use.

• Store eyewear carefully to avoid scratching and other damage.

• Replace loose straps on LEP; the straps often lose elasticity over time

• Replace eyewear if the wavelength and OD markings are no longer legible

• Do not use LEP for prolonged, direct exposure to a high-powered beam. The beam can damage the filter over time, reducing or eliminating the effectiveness of the LEP.

• Contact the LSO if you have a need for alignment eyewear. Alignment LEP is designed to provide full protection to a diffuse beam spot viewed from 20 cm, but should not be used for full protection to a direct or specularly reflected beam.

With these tips in mind, along with the engineering and administrative controls provided earlier in this course, you can keep your vision safe in a laser lab. Click Next to learn about some additional items of PPE that you can use to protect your skin.

Slide 6.5 Skin Protection Skin protection is most commonly needed with UV laser use. Exposure to even diffusely reflected UV radiation from Class 3B and 4 lasers can be damaging.

Protection from this hazard can include wearing long sleeves and applying sunblock to exposed skin. Don’t forget to apply protection to your face too. Even if you’re wearing LEP, the skin on your face may be exposed and vulnerable.

Click next to conclude our discussion of PPE with a brief review.

Slide 6.6 Test Yourself Any colored safety classes are allowed to be used to protect your eyes from laser radiation.

A. True B. False

Correct Answer: False. While it is possible to buy safety glasses in a variety of lens colors that look to be similar to the color of a pair of LEP, only the properly tested and labeled eyewear may be used in a laser lab. The laser rated eyewear has been tested for a particular wavelength(s) and confirmed to attenuate that wavelength a certain amount.

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Slide 6.7 Test Yourself Which of the following guidelines are important to keep in mind when wearing LEP in the lab?

A. Choose LEP with an OD that is applicable to the wavelength in use. B. Choose the LEP with the highest VLT% for the required OD. C. Even with LEP in place, remember to apply sun screen to your face when working with UV

lasers. D. All of the above.

Correct Answer: All of the above. All of these guidelines are critical to consider when selecting and employing the right LEP for your lab.

Slide 6.9 – Conclusion The PPE discussed in this section of the tutorial serves as a last line of defense when engineering and administrative control measures fail to adequately reduce the hazard. If control measures, including PPE, are rendered ineffective due to oversight or accident, an injury can occur. If emergency strikes, you must be prepared to act. Click Next to learn how.

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Emergencies and Incidents Slide 7.1 Emergency What would you do if you were working in a laser lab and lost control of your laser? What if you experienced a bright flash in your eyes, or a burning sensation on your skin? What if you smelled the scent of burning drywall, and saw a hole appear on the wall?

In all of these cases, prompt and careful action can have a significant impact on the ultimate severity of the injury or damage. Click next to learn more.

Slide 7.2 Laser Accident - Causes Laser accidents can and do happen. The accidents can be attributed to both beam and non-beam hazards, and can often be traced back to a single mistake or oversight.

A very preventable cause of laser eye exposure, for example, is the use of inappropriate LEP, or a total lack of LEP.

Please take a moment to review this list of causes of common accidents so that you can do your part to avoid them. Then click Next when you are ready to continue.

Reported incidents related to lasers most often occur: – During beam alignment – When optics are misaligned or beams are upwardly directed – When eyewear is not used or is inappropriate – When equipment malfunctions

Incidents are also likely to occur as a result of:

– Inadequate control of non-beam hazards – Insufficient training – Failure to follow SOPs – Improper restoration of equipment following service – Fires from ignition of materials by laser – Exposure to reflections off watches, jewelry, and other highly reflective objects – Modified beam paths with control measures left unchanged

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Slide 7.3 Emergency Procedures While many of the causes listed on the previous slide can be avoided with the proper care and attention, the possibility of an incident can never be eliminated entirely. In the event of an emergency, promptly follow these steps to control the damage:

1. Stop all work in the lab immediately.

2. If it is safe to do so, shut down the laser.

3. If there is a fire, activate the fire alarm, evacuate the area, and call the Georgia Tech Police.

4. If there is a medical emergency, call the Georgia Tech police at 404-894-2500 as soon as it is safe to do so. This includes suspected or known exposure of the eye, whether or not there has been a noticeable change in vision, bleeding from the eye, or burns to the eye or face.

5. Suspected or known eye injury requires a trip to a hospital emergency room. If the injury is non-life threatening, this trip does not have to be in an ambulance. Instead, a Georgia Tech employee can transport the injured person to an emergency room in a Georgia Tech owned vehicle. Do not go to an urgent care center for suspected or known eye injury as they will not have the means to perform a thorough eye exam.

6. Contact or have someone else contact the Office of Radiological Safety at 404-894-3605 to report the injury.

As soon as possible, you’ll also need to report the incident to the Laser Supervisor and the LSO. Click Next to learn more.

Slide 7.4 Reporting an Incident Accidents and injuries involving laser use can and have happened at Georgia Tech. When they do, there are certain reporting requirements that must be met, and ongoing measures that must be taken to limit the extent of the damage.

As soon as safely possible following an emergency—and immediately following a non-emergency incident, like a minor burn—contact the Laser Supervisor and the LSO to report the incident and seek further guidance. Do not alter the laser setup.

The Laser Supervisor will ultimately prepare the necessary reports and notifications, as detailed in EHS’s Injury and Illness Reporting Guidelines. The LSO will report any laser related injuries to the State of Georgia within 15 days.

To facilitate these reporting requirements, and ensure impacted individuals have access to prompt assistance, all labs are required to post a current emergency contact list at the entrance to any laser controlled area. The EHS Pink Card provides a convenient template for this posting. Take a moment to complete a Pink Card for your lab, if you haven’t already done so, and then click Next when you are ready to conclude this section of the course.

Slide 7.5 – Conclusion While we hope the proper engineering and administrative controls, along with the appropriate PPE, can prevent any serious laser emergencies in your lab, this section of the tutorial has prepared you to act effectively should an emergency or incident strike. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all aspects of the process now, so that you can act decisively when action is required.

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You’ve now completed the final content module of this tutorial. When you are ready to conclude this course and complete the final assessment, click Next.

Exam and Next Steps Slide 8.1 Exam (Need to get questions from Gary)

Slide 8.2 Congratulations Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Training tutorial. If you are a new laser user or supervisor, you can finish the registration process by:

• Completing and submitting the Laser User Registration (Form LU-1) or Laser Supervisor Registration (Form LS-1), as applicable, to the LSO.

• And, if applicable, completing and submitting the Laser Registration (Form LR-1) to the LSO for any new or unregistered lasers.

Both forms can be found at our website, http://ehs.gatech.edu/radiation/laser/documents

For more detailed information, refer to the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Policy Manual at http://ehs.gatech.edu/radiation/laser/documents. If you have any questions, please contact the LSO by phone at 404-894-8847, or by email at laser@ehs.gatech.edu.

Also, for your future aid, take a moment to review the contacts available at ehs.gatech.edu/contact/radiation