LASER SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Laser Safety Recommendations

As part of your research, you may be required to work with high-powered lasers (Class 3 & 4) that emit hazardous levels of optical radiation. Below we outline some recommendations. However, it remains your responsibility to ensure the health and safety of yourself and of other people who may be affected by your acts or omissions. Please liaise with your local laser safety officer to arrange appropriate risk assessments and ensure that you adhere to all relevant legislation in your region of the world.

The following URLs link to various laser safety resources:

Example Training Videos:

LASER SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Equipment required to comply with local laser safety regulations may include:

Please liaise with your local laser safety officer to obtain required equipment.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE:

We strongly recommend to adhere at the very least to the following Standard Operating Procedure at all times:

Do not use any laser until you have been appropriately trained, have understood the risks associated with the use of lasers and feel competent to carry out the tasks required by your job role.
Do not enter a laser room while the laser is in use. Knock and wait for permission to enter.
Do not open the door to the room when the laser is in use.
Do not look into a laser beam.
Wear laser safety eye-wear that is appropriate for the wavelengths and specifications of your laser.
If the fire alarm sounds, turn off the laser unit, remove the key and then evacuate the area.
Keep room lights on brightly if possible. The brighter the ambient lighting level, the smaller the eye’s pupil will become and the less chance of a laser beam hitting it.

Remove all personal jewellery. Watches, rings and jewellery can act as reflectors. Remove anything which may pose a reflection hazard before entering the laser room; this is to protect you and your co-workers.
Clamp all components securely. Double clamp optical components – this helps prevent misalignment and reduces the chances of a component moving and sweeping a laser beam over you.
Keep the beam enclosed and only use unenclosed when the operation has been risk assessed by yourself and the Laser Safety Officer.
Keep beams horizontal. Horizontal beams are usually easier to work with and more predictable. Avoid vertical and skew beams if possible.
Don’t bend down below beam height. If you drop something, block the laser beam at the laser before picking the object up.
If you can’t stop the beam exposure, kick the object out of the way so that you don’t trip over it.
If you must sit down in the lab, make sure that the chair is high enough, so that your head is above beam height.

COSYS shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental damage, commercial losses, expenses, personal injury or death, property damage or other loss caused by or resulting from use of COSYS products in combination with any other instrument or device, in particular devices that emit hazardous levels of optical radiation.