LASER SAFETY


BULLETIN INFORMATION


Z136 RECOMMENDATIONS


FOR CONTROLLING LASER HAZARDS Like any other potentially hazardous operation, lasers can be used safely through the use of suitable facilities, equipment and well trained personnel. The ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers standard provides a detailed description of control measures that can be put into place to protect against potential accidents.


These control measures are divided into two distinctive categories, Engineering Controls and Administrative/Procedural Controls. Examples of Engineering Controls include protective housings and interlocks, protective filter installations, key-controls and system interlocks. Administrative/Procedural Controls include standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment including laser eyewear. Engineering Controls are generally more costly to develop but are considered far more reliable by removing the dependence on humans to follow rigorous procedures and the possibility of personal protective equipment failure or misuse.


Administrative/Procedural Controls are designed to supplement Engineering Controls to assure that laser personnel are fully protected from potential laser hazards. The focus of these controls is to provide adequate education and training, provisions for protective equipment and procedures related to the operation, maintenance and servicing of the laser.


Safety training is required for those working with Class 3 or Class 4 lasers and systems. Operation within a marked, controlled area is also recommended. For Class 4 lasers or systems, eye protectors are almost always required and facility interlocks and further safeguards are used. Control measures for each laser classification are defined fully in the ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers standard. This document is the single most important piece of information regarding the safe use of lasers and should be part of every laser safety program. Other standards in the ANSI Z136 series include:


• ANSI Z136.2 (2012) – Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources


• ANSI Z136.3 (2011) – Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care • ANSI Z136.4 (2010) – Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation


• ANSI Z136.5 (2009) – Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions • ANSI Z136.6 (2005) – Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors • ANSI Z136.7 (2008) – Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment • ANSI Z136.8 (2012) – Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development, or T • ANSI Z136.9 (2013) – Safe Use of Lasers in Manufacturing Environments


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