SPONSORED: LASER SAFETY
wouldn’t necessarily have to ask any questions, but now suppliers have to check, as the experts, to make sure that what they are supplying is actually fit for purpose. This is a really positive move and, of course, it is something that expert and responsible sellers such as Pro-Lite have always done as a matter of course.” There is also a new standard
in the pipeline – 19018 – which will have a more global focus to help ensure that products coming from different markets are subject to the same rigorous requirements. In the meantime, there are a number of things that users and suppliers of lasers can do to ensure that they stay safe and legal. Mistry reveals: “If you’ve been trained and you’re comfortable running the calculations, by all means do so to try and figure out what you think you need. But don’t forget that when speaking to suppliers, like ourselves, that we are the experts. We are also duty-bound to ask for the laser specifications so that we can run our own calculations.
‘With different laser types, wavelengths and applications, there can be no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to safety equipment’
Hopefully, nine times out of 10 we will reach the same answer and will be good to go. If there are any questions or discrepancies, we can figure out where that’s come from. I’m a laser safety officer, and I have access to the guys that trained me at Laservision. The best thing to do, if you’re not sure, is just to ask. There’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to safety.”
How to stay safe Another word of advice from Mistry is that, with different laser types, wavelengths and applications, there can be no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to safety equipment. “You can have two lasers, which, on the face appear the
same,” he says. “For example, you can have two 10W Nd:YAG lasers, but depending on the beam size coming out of each, one set of safety glasses might be fine for laser A, but you couldn’t guarantee that they are suitable for laser B without running the calculations. You can have the same power, but if you have it concentrated in a smaller spot, then you have a higher power density or energy density, so you may need to go up a level or two, or maybe even three, on the protection scale.” A key, according to Mistry, is striking the right balance. He says: “Our filter options cover a nice range of wavelengths, and we always recommend the best suitable protection, covering the minimum LB ratings, but also look at the visual light transmission. There are some filters that are very broadband, which cover a lot of the visible spectrum. But if you’re covering a lot of the visible spectrum, they can be really dark which in a nice, well lit lab isn’t an issue, but in many applications they’re used in
darker environments. If safety tools like glasses feel like they make life difficult, then people are less likely to use them. So, it’s about trying to find that balance of sufficient protection, the best visual transmission, colour recognition, and so on. We’ve got to find that balance between cost, performance and general usability.” The best piece of advice is to
select a trusted supplier with the expertise and experience to assist with your individual requirements. Pro-Lite is the UK distributor for the Laservision range of laser safety products, which include eyewear, but also cabin windows, screening and laser safety partitions. The company also holds regular, online training workshops in general laser safety and in laser safety for designated laser safety officers. For more detailed
information about the latest developments in laser safety and how to go about selecting the right protective equipment for you, download the latest white paper from Pro-Lite. EO
New white paper now online
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Laser Safety: Don’t get burnt
Since their invention in 1960, lasers have become ever more widely deployed in scientific research, in medicine, in industrial materials processing, in telecommunications as well as in numerous consumer applications. What hasn’t changed over the years is the extreme optical hazard that many laser beams present. This white paper reviews the reasons why laser light can be uniquely dangerous, explains how to go about choosing protective eyewear and provides an update on the latest developments in laser safety.
www.electrooptics.com/white-papers
Electro Optics
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