1st Edition

Laser Safety Management

By Ken Barat Copyright 2006
    312 Pages 23 Color Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    An effective laser safety program can mean big savings in time, money, effort, and most importantly, human well-being. It can improve the quality of your research program, your organization's reputation, and ultimately, improve your bottom line. Based on the extensive experience of active Laser Safety Officer Kenneth Barat, Laser Safety Management provides practical tools for successfully implementing a laser safety program in any environment.

    The book defines the three elements of laser safety: users, the laser safety officer, and incidental personnel. It covers the types of laser injuries, standard operating procedures to ensure safety, tips and tools to avoid pitfalls, training, control measures, and personal protection equipment. The author explores the laser safety officer position and delineates the required elements of effective SOPs. He also discusses non-beam hazards, includes practical control examples and sample forms, and covers U.S. and European regulations and standards.

    Taking a pedagogical approach, the book covers not only how to avoid accidents, but how to investigate them if they do occur. It includes a sample safety program designed to evaluate your current safety plan and act as a roadmap for where you need to be and how to get there. Filled with common sense solutions for laser safety issues, the book makes setting up a safety program practically painless.

    OVERVIEW
    Traditional Laser Safety
    Life Cycle
    Additional Life Cycle Elements
    Classification
    Responsibilities
    Probabilistic Risk Assessment

    BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS: WHY WE CARE ABOUT LASER EXPOSURE
    Introduction
    The Eye
    Signs of Eye Exposure
    Damage Mechanisms
    Laser Radiation Effects on Skin
    Tissue Optics

    THE LASER SAFETY OFFICER: THE KEY TO LASER SAFETY
    The effective LSO Gets Out and Walks Laser Use Space
    Laser Safety Committee
    Inventory
    Training
    Signs
    Warning Lights
    Audits

    STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES: A BINDING SAFETY CONTRACT
    Introduction
    SOP Flow
    Sample Format
    Follow-Up to the SOP
    Laser Control Boilerplates
    Sample Laser SOP1
    Laser and Laser System SOP Guidelines

    PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR LASER SAFETY AND TRAPS TO AVOID
    Introduction
    The Laser Safety "Tool Box" Wish List
    Transition Zone Between the LSO and Laser System Users
    Laser Safety Traps

    THE LASER-SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
    Introduction
    Benefits of the Laser-Safety Management Program
    File Structure
    Institutional Binder Sections
    Institutional Binders
    Sample Forms

    LASER SAFETY TRAINING
    User Training
    Awareness Training
    On-the-Job Safety Training
    Exploring Training Options
    New Training Suggestion: A Laser Lessons Learned Class
    Refresher Training
    Laser Quizzes
    The Training Matrix
    Laser Pointer Awareness

    PERSONNEL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
    Introduction
    Full Attenuation
    Visual Light Transmission
    Comfort and Fit
    Damage Threshold Considerations
    Prescriptions
    Sensor Card Use
    Weight
    Labeling
    Ultrafast Lasers
    Additional Considerations
    Partial Attenuation (Alignment Eyewear)
    Additional PPE

    LASER ACCIDENTS
    Introduction
    Alignment Activities
    Failure to Wear Protective Eyewear
    Electrical Hazards Overlooked
    Additional Hazards and Solutions
    Improper Restoration of Lasers after Servicing
    Lack of Planning
    Wearing the Wrong Eyewear and Improper Fit
    Fatigue and Stress
    Workplace Culture
    To Whom Are These Accidents Happening?
    The Perceived Incident
    Accident Investigation
    Written Report: Not Finished Until the Paperwork Is Done
    Why Should Recommendations Be Made?
    What Should Be Done if the Investigation Reveals Human Error?
    Not Every Laser Accident Involves an Eye or Skin Injury
    Typical Laser Pointer Incidents
    Guidance for Laser Pointer Use
    Examples of Laser Accidents
    Laser Accident Action Plan
    Medical Facility
    Can Laser Accidents Be Prevented?

    AN EXPLANATION OF CONTROL MEASURES
    Administrative Controls
    For the Institution
    Research Lab Administrative Controls
    Engineering Controls
    Engineering Control Measures

    U.S. AND EUROPEAN REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
    Introduction
    User Regulations
    State Regulations
    User Standards
    Manufacturer Regulations
    British Regulations and Standards

    LASER SAFETY CALCULATIONS
    Introduction
    Converting between Irradiance and Radiant Exposure
    Optical Density
    Choosing Exposure Duration Times

    NONBEAM HAZARDS
    Introduction
    Electrical Hazards
    Physical Hazards
    Chemical Hazards
    Fire Hazards
    Ergonomics and Human Factors
    Seismic Safety
    Area Illumination
    Mechanical Hazards
    Supplemental Electrical Safety Section

    PRACTICAL CONTROL MEASURES
    Web Resources

    LASER BASICS
    Introduction
    What is a Laser?
    Laser Theory and Operation
    Components of a Laser
    Types of Lasers

    Glossary
    Index

    Biography

    Barat, Ken