Laser Safety
Lindsey Simcox
October 2016
• Insight into laser safety
• Types of lasers and how they are
managed
• Parallels and differences with
ionising radiation protection
Optical radiation
Ultraviolet InfraredVisible
~ 400 nm ~ 700 nm
Increase in wavelengthIncrease in Frequency and Energy
UV from the Sun ~ 290 to 400 nm
Examples
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
H & S at Work Act 1974
Management of H & S at Work
Regs 1999
Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regs 1998
PPE Regs 2002
Control of Artificial Optical
Radiation at Work
Regulations 2010 (AOR10)
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
What rules do I have to comply with?
Manufacturing standards
BS EN 60825-1: 2014
Engineering specifications,
classification, labelling,
manufacturer requirements
BS EN 207/208: 2009
Specifications for eyewear, testing
regimes, marking etc.
Manufacturing standards
BS EN 60825-1: 2014
Engineering specifications,
classification, labelling,
manufacturer requirements
BS EN 207/208: 2009
Specifications for eyewear, testing
regimes, marking etc.
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
Ability
to do
harm
1 43B3R2M21M
Classification system given in
BS EN 60825-1: 2014
1C
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
What rules do I have to comply with?
Manufacturing standards
BS EN 60825-1: 2014
Engineering specifications,
classification, labelling,
manufacturer requirements
BS EN 207/208: 2009
Specifications for eyewear, testing
regimes, marking etc.
What rules do I have to comply with?
Legislation
Standards
Guidance
MHRA Guidance for
medical lasers
General AOR guidance
from HSE
University/research
guidance from AURPO
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
To protect against both beam and non-beam hazards
I have my
eyewear on….
all sorted!
Similarities with ionising RP
Laser management in an ideal world
Plan out use, type needed
and area to be used
Do risk assessment for set
up and normal use
Laser management in an ideal world
Create laser workspace with appropriate materials
Laser management in an ideal world
Write any procedures,
train staff in laser
safety
Receipt of laser
equipment and staff
undergo ‘user’ training
Laser management in an ideal world
Regular recorded safety checks and emergency
rehearsals
Laser management in an ideal world
Disposal as per an agreed route
‘Rogue’ elements
Changeover Purchasing
Sales Strong personalities
Risk perception
For further information please contact Lindsey:01235 820049 | [email protected] | www.aurorahp.co.uk
Questions
Thank you